Posts in 'fundraising'

My answer is no. And Yes. In some ways I feel like I am swimming upstream when it comes to Giving Tuesday, which has been observed by a vast number of U.S. nonprofit organizations for the last decade or so. I am a minor fan. But also, not a fan. I guess you could say my relationship status with this...

Find a secret weapon to help get you unstuck When we were kids, and we found ourselves stuck at a railroad crossing, waiting as a passing train rolled by, we came up with a game of counting box cars. At an average of 55 feet, when you reach 100, the train length is about one mile long – and trains...

Research on nonprofit organizations of all sizes during the Great Recession confirmed that those who maintained consistent communication and fundraising activities throughout the period enjoyed significantly greater revenue success after two years' time. Juxtapose that lesson learned a dozen years...

There are more significant donors in your midst than you may realize. Consider these opportunities: 1. Donation Page: Does your online giving page encourage or default to a monthly option? >> Set-up/update your online monthly giving form. Be sure to include ACH (e-check) payments. >> Have a few of...

I love working with mission-focused individuals who aim to bring together as many resources as possible: like carefully assembling a puzzle. My job is helping them to discover the many ways in which new and current revenue streams can be developed and sustained. It’s important to consider the...

The time to plan direct mail production is now, if your organization relies on a significant amount of seasonal revenue late in the year. Place a tickler file note for yourself for your spring mailer. Rinse and repeat right after April 15, 2021. A. Drop Date - 2020 election mail peaks on November 2...

Today I invite you to examine three important five-year trends that I believe will continue, regardless of where the pandemic economy takes us: 1. Fundraising growth through social media continues to rise. [Don't forget about YouTube as a fundraising tool, now the world’s second largest search...

What in the world is a wine window? Created during the plague hundreds of years ago, long since shuttered, wine windows are being repurposed during COVID-19 to serve up gelato, coffee, wine, and other household goods. Amazing. Who would have thought? Some historic traditions could likewise be...

1. Reengage LYBUNTs*: Determine the largest donors (or past sponsors if you wish) who gave by August in 2018 and 2019 but haven’t given yet this year. Identify 10 people you haven't yet connected to in real time in 2020. Reach out and share updates about the impact of your organization during the...

18 to 22 months are the mean and median tenures of development staff these days, depending on which of the many studies on the subject you cite. Further, a good % of jobs remain open and unfilled for 3 to 6 months, sometimes longer. On my list to do better, knowing the reality of development...