Pop Art Robot the thinker

How to Tell Fundraising Stories and Avoid What Makes Them Go Wrong

Storytelling
Excerpted from The Storytelling Fundraiser by Professor Russell James. The full book (along with many other fundraising resources) is available for free at Encourage Generosity. An effective fundraising story isn’t just a good story. It must do something. It must…
Read More
Pop Art Stories vs Commerce

Are You Fundraising in the Right “World”? It Makes All the Difference!

Donor Psychology, Storytelling
One of the reasons fundraising is such a challenge is that all of us – donors and fundraisers alike – live simultaneously in two different worlds:  “Story World,” the part of the human mind that acts on emotion, social cues,…
Read More
Pop Art Numbers VS Stories

What Behavioral Science Tells Us about Stories and Math in Fundraising

Maths of Fundraising, Storytelling
Excerpted from The Storytelling Fundraiser by Professor Russell James. The full book (along with many other fundraising resources) is available for free at Encourage Generosity. For nonprofit managers, numbers are important. Numbers define success or failure. Numbers keep the lights…
Read More
Pop Art Woman Trying to make Decision Between Yes or No e1587283370573

Is this a Good Time or a Terrible Time for Bequest Fundraising?

Bequests and Legacies
One of the more surprising outcomes of the COVID-19 crisis is a surge in people updating their Wills. Several online Will sites have reported twice the normal volume of people creating or updating their Wills. Well, it makes sense, according…
Read More
Pop Art Secret to engaging with donors about bequests e1537776274823

VIDEO: The Amazing “4-S” Method for Nervous Bequest Fundraisers

Bequests and Legacies
In this quick video interview, Professor Russell James, Professor of Charitable Financial Planning at Texas Tech University, shares the “4-S” Method of engaging with donors about bequest giving: Story Story Story Shut up Following this method can make the most…
Read More
Pop Art Woman light on the palm e1537496107373

VIDEO: The Magic Words of Bequest Fundraising

Bequests and Legacies
Professor Russell James, Professor of Charitable Financial Planning at Texas Tech University, shares the words and phrases that help donors connect meaningfully with the topic of bequest giving. Learn the importance of: “Family” language The importance of simplicity The power…
Read More