The 6 most read parts of any major gift letter
I’m always a bit baffled when I see fundraising letters that fail to take into consideration the following. After all, research by Professor Siegfried Vogele has clearly proven… Read More
Your Role
Challenges You Face
results
Learn
Resources
Company
Major Giving
Helping you qualify, cultivate and prioritize major donors and legacy supporters so you can have fun closing more gifts more efficiently.
Mar
01
2019
Feb
22
2019
6 reasons why some donors prefer to stay anonymous
In case you’ve ever wondered why some donors prefer to stay anonymous, here are 6 proven reasons why: 1. They do not want fundraisers from… Read More
Feb
08
2019
5 thoughts that might lead your supporters to feel donor remorse
Here are some of the thoughts crossing your donors’ minds while you’re asking them to support your cause: Will they say thank you or just… Read More
Oct
22
2018
Are you ready for the 24/7 donor?
Accenture – the world’s largest consulting firm – says that we’re in the era of the “nonstop consumer”. According to their website, “A customer’s path… Read More
Oct
01
2018
The 8 core components of engagement fundraising and why you desperately need them
Most fundraising is based on what I call “single shot” strategies. For instance, it’s an event, gala or golf outing. Or, perhaps it’s a mailing,… Read More
May
18
2018
Is your nonprofit organization really that special?
No. Sorry. It isn’t. For example, if you search for environmental organizations on Wikipedia, you’ll find the following list: Why should anyone make a major gift… Read More
Apr
25
2018
If you're asking yourself whether or not direct mail is dead, then you're asking the wrong question
There’s too much talk about whether or not direct mail is dead. Of course it is NOT dead! I get direct mail delivered to me every day. … Read More
Mar
28
2018
Donor Complaints: Why it's a bad idea to get upset with donors when they complain
No one likes to hear complaints. But when you work for a nonprofit or a private sector business, you need to welcome complaints. Here’s why:… Read More
Nov
27
2017
Why mistakes are awesome and what to do about them
I know the feeling. A supporter calls to tell you your email or letter spelled her name wrong. She’s pissed! You begin to sweat and your muscles… Read More
Aug
23
2017
What's your fundraising asking style?
According to Brian Saber, “Your ‘Asking Style’ is based on your personality and unique set of strengths in fundraising.” But, don’t be fooled by stereotypes…. Read More
Jul
17
2017
The more things change, the more they stay the same
I was wondering who might have created the first survey ever. My search led me to Charles the Great, the “Father of Europe.” Apparently, in… Read More
Jul
14
2017
Almost four years ago I declared: "The Fundraising Pyramid Is DEAD!"
Recently I was reminded of a blog post I wrote four years ago that got a lot of attention. Some of the reactions were not so kind…. Read More
Jul
10
2017
Value
Too many nonprofits fail to inspire people to give because they don’t understand value. An exchange of money from supporters to nonprofits only occurs when a clear value… Read More
Jun
28
2017
6 major donor expectations you simply cannot ignore
1. Dialogue. Major donors expect to be able to have a dialogue with an organization and its staff. 2. Permission. Major donors expect to maintain… Read More
Jun
23
2017
Fundraising metrics: you have to see them to believe them
I always hated when my staff sent me an Excel file showing our astounding growth. You might be thinking, “Why would you hate getting an… Read More
Jun
21
2017
4 great reasons to hire a capital campaign consultant
1. Large amounts of money are at stake. This might be the largest amount of money your organization will ever raise. Getting an experienced consultant… Read More
Jun
12
2017
The 80-20 Rule is dead!
76/10, not 80/20! Last year the Congressional Budget Office released a report about wealth in the United States. Here are some points to consider: The top… Read More
Jun
07
2017
The 5 p’s of engagement fundraising
1- Permission Donors have immense power these days. They can ignore your communications! The best way to ensure that they don’t exercise that power is… Read More
Jun
02
2017
Should your CRM include photos of each of your donors?
My uncle is a radiologist. Recently he told me about a 2007 study of radiologists. The study found that including a photo of a patient along with their… Read More
May
31
2017
If asking for donations makes you uncomfortable, read this now!
Recently I was asked the following: “The whole idea of the ‘ask’ is very uncomfortable to me. How can I become more comfortable with it?”… Read More
May
19
2017
The most powerful motivators of major gifts and legacy gifts.
RemembranceHonor Memorialize Pay tribute Fairness Right wrongs Give back HormonesOxytocin “the love hormone” Cortisol for focus Brain Neurons transmitting information Mirror neurons support empathy… Read More
May
12
2017
Are you a technician or a facilitator?
The flow chart below makes me very uncomfortable. Here’s why: Science and experience have led me to realize that a donor’s objective is usually, first and foremost,… Read More
May
10
2017
Consider using the word "consider" more often
Consider this. “Consider” is a very powerful word for fundraising. “Would you consider a gift in the amount of $25,000 to help fund this project?”… Read More
May
05
2017
4 things you need to know to qualify your major gift and planned gift prospects
What follows are the 4 things you need to know in order to close more gifts faster: 1. Who has the capacity to give 2…. Read More
Get the book!
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.
Get smarter with the SmartIdeas blog
Subscribe to our blog today and get actionable fundraising ideas delivered straight to your inbox!