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Two days ago I outlined my “do’s“. Today, here are my “don’t’s”. Both can be found here on this cheat-sheet. 15 Don’ts Be disingenuous. For… Read More
15 Do’s Be straightforward. Identify the reason(s) for your call. Ask great open-ended questions that encourage dialogue and show that you are sincerely interested and care… Read More
Being a fundraiser is a darn tough job! In January of 2013 the Chronicle of Philanthropy reported that “One in three executives is at best… Read More
In most cases I don’t recommend doing so. Instead, I think you should piggyback on your organization’s existing social media. They’ve already got the “likes”…. Read More
1. 3% of U.S. Households are responsible for 67% (2/3) of all household charity (according to the 2011 Bank of America Study of High Net… Read More
Here are the potential downsides to telemarketing for planned gifts: 1 – The cost could be high; 2 – The calls are usually interruptive, inconvenient and… Read More
1. Generate leads using social norms, family reminders and non-death-related packages Social norms = “Many of our supporters have done this too!” Family reminders =… Read More
If you are spending your donors’ hard-earned cash on marketing (fundraising), you must watch this short video from one of my heroes – David Ogilvy… Read More
Polyamorous relationships are non-exclusive. Therefore, your supporters will cheat on you. They will cozy up to other organizations (your competitors). They will come and go when… Read More
1. Disclosers – For these folks (breaking into two basic categories) you need to remember that, unless their gift is irrevocable, they are still prospects. “YES, LET’S… Read More
Sometimes I feel like I should make a list of all the silly things I hear fundraisers say. Here’s one I heard recently that just… Read More
I love this cartoon by Gary Larson (Far Side). If you think you’re getting your message through to your supporters… think again! You’re missing big opportunities… Read More
Sometimes our new clients get all jazzed about having a calculator on their planned giving website. I guess they feel it’s important to provide a… Read More
Alaska’s residents are allowed to share in the revenue the state enjoys from investments in mineral royalties. In order to get their dividend, they have… Read More
I know, I know… Dan Pallota thinks charities need a defense council to inform the public that administrative costs are a necessary part of a… Read More
In Abila’s new donor engagement report, the first question they asked donors was, “What matters most to you?” Problem is… the answers they allowed were not… Read More
One thing (among so many others) that I never understood about nonprofits is why they sell or swap lists with other nonprofits. It’s usually done with… Read More
“Make the font smaller!” That’s what the brand police told me to do. I reminded them that the supporters we were targeting for the CGA lead generation effort… Read More
I just saw a video for a nonprofit’s planned giving department that made me sick. Truly nauseated. In it, the fake actor/speaker said the word… Read More
Softening statements help you “get your toe in the water” with difficult conversations. They smooth out the discussion. They help supporters feel at ease. Of… Read More
So you want to know the real reason why people make major gifts and bequests? Ok. But first, I must share a quote. Confucius once… Read More
The new LinkedIn fundraising group is called Major and Planned Gift Marketers. It’s growing fast. Here’s why you should join: The conversations… Read More
Your annual report (only if it has good pictures, stories about impact, and financials that show responsible use of funds) A copy of your newsletter (only… Read More
I bet you already know that each and every one of your supporters has a unique reason why they first got involved with your organization—… Read More
Feeling like your job is getting harder because donor expectations have changed and competition for the charitable dollar is growing?
Finding that the old orthodoxies and conventions espoused by so-called experts in online echo-chambers and at conferences don’t work anymore?
Want to help more people make impact by facilitating their acts of philanthropy but feel like too many obstacles keep getting in your way?
Then this book is for you.
Engagement Fundraising was developed from the perspective of a donor who discovered firsthand that the impersonal, spray-and-pray approaches of his beloved charity were not only offensive but also wasteful and ineffective. So he took action. And now, you can too.
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