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Tell me another one!

October 06, 2021 by Dianna Smiley in Understanding Donors, Capital Campaign, Planned Giving, Board Members

I love jokes! During the pandemic, they’ve been wonderfully stress-reducing. But what does joke telling or story telling have to do with fundraising? Story telling? A LOT!

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October 06, 2021 /Dianna Smiley
Stories, cultivation, Fundraising
Understanding Donors, Capital Campaign, Planned Giving, Board Members

Finding solid support in troubling times

July 31, 2021 by Dianna Smiley in Planned Giving, Strategy, Board Members, Staff Leadership

What if you don't have the support of any megadonors and you're not sure how to get on MacKenzie Scott's radar screen?

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July 31, 2021 /Dianna Smiley
Fundraising, major gifts, Volunteers, planned giving, board members, prospecting
Planned Giving, Strategy, Board Members, Staff Leadership

Get your new board members ready to help with fundraising!

June 10, 2021 by Dianna Smiley in Board Members, Consulting - fundraising, Staff Leadership

Don't miss the opportunity to equip your new board members with the knowledge and skills they need to participate in fundraising. They will make terrific new team members!

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June 10, 2021 /Dianna Smiley
nonprofits, fundraising, board members, fundraising training
Board Members, Consulting - fundraising, Staff Leadership

How to steward your donors? ASK them!

April 16, 2021 by Dianna Smiley in Understanding Donors, Strategy, Capital Campaign, Staff Leadership, Planned Giving

Most gifts come from donors who've already given, not new donors. This article is about how we treat these valuable people, helping them give more, now and in the future.

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April 16, 2021 /Dianna Smiley
Fundraising, Giving, major gifts, Board members, Capital Campaign, fundraising communications
Understanding Donors, Strategy, Capital Campaign, Staff Leadership, Planned Giving

Part 3 - Begin a Beautiful Friendship … with a Foundation!

February 24, 2021 by Dianna Smiley in Board Members, Capital Campaign, Understanding Donors, Strategy, Staff Leadership

In Part 2, I gave you some options for approaching a foundation when you have no history with them and don’t know anyone there. This article is about building the relationship between your organization and the foundation once you have made contact and told your story. Make it a beautiful friendship!

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February 24, 2021 /Dianna Smiley
Board Members, Capital Campaign, Understanding Donors, Strategy, Staff Leadership

Part 2 - The Mysterious World of Raising Funds from Foundations

February 08, 2021 by Dianna Smiley in Understanding Donors, Strategy, Consulting - fundraising, Board Members

If your group has too few foundation grants coming in for the investment you are making in staff, it may be a result of not enough research, too few inquiries, or an approach that lacks the human touch. Foundation staff and board members are people, too, and establishing a person-to-person relationship - while it might be difficult to get started - pays dividends in the long run. This article is about how to get started.

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February 08, 2021 /Dianna Smiley
Foundations, Grant Writing, Fundraising, Nonprofits, Board Members
Understanding Donors, Strategy, Consulting - fundraising, Board Members

The Mysterious World of Raising Funds from Foundations Part 1

January 04, 2021 by Dianna Smiley in Board Members, Strategy, Understanding Donors, Capital Campaign

Remember this: Foundations are in the business of investing in nonprofits that perform work leading to goals and outcomes desired by their leadership. If your group can help enable them to come closer to those goals and outcomes, they need you. You are doing something they cannot do themselves.

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January 04, 2021 /Dianna Smiley
foundations, Grant Writing, Grants, Fundraising
Board Members, Strategy, Understanding Donors, Capital Campaign

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