What motivates donors to give?
When it comes to successful fundraising, donor motivation is at the heart of the matter.
Read MoreYour continuing conversations with donors...
Getting to the ask should be less like climbing a mountain and more like following a meandering stream to a beautiful waterfall that you know is there ahead of time!
Read MoreStewardship and reputation - gifts in memoriam
Your group may occasionally get gifts in memory of someone who has recently died. The donor is making a meaningful gesture that involves honoring someone they loved or admired (or both), through giving to your group. We need to acknowledge the memorial nature of this gift. Make sure your organization is making this happen.
Read MoreKeeping Your Own Spirits Up as a Fund Raiser
The past 2-3 years in the pandemic (seems longer, doesn't it?) have affected many of us to be more discouraged and in some cases, even depressed. And there are good reasons for that. Here are some thoughts about how to monitor and improve your own emotional state, knowing that it affects your work as a fund raiser - either vounteer or professional.
Read MoreRaising Major Gifts with "Major Purpose"
Maybe the reason your group doesn't get major gifts is that your donors don't see that they are needed. This article helps you think about how you can develop transformative and mission-centric giving initiatives that your donors will be excited about funding.
Read MoreWhen talking with donors gets personal
Given our isolation from others due to the pandemic but also the very nature of modern life, emotion-laden conversations between us and our donors may occur more frequently than ever before. After all, our donors have sadness, grief, and loneliness in their lives just as everyone does, and they often view us as people who care, even if they don’t know us well. And as a compassionate human being, you need to be ready.
Read MoreWhen the donor preempts your ask
You start the meeting and your donor immediately says they are making a gift much lower than you know they can give. How you respond can make the difference between receiving a gift that's 90% below your plan and a gift that either meets your plan or gets much closer.
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