Greg Warner,
My journey to revolutionizing fundraising has been anything but straightforward.
I believe in the power of nonprofits to perform good in the world. I am a donor and have been involved in fundraising efforts throughout my career. In 2007, I identified a major problem in the nonprofit world: inefficient, outdated fundraising methods. This realization coincided with a time of deep upheaval in my life: my father’s sudden death, my mother’s cancer diagnosis, and my wife’s ongoing battle with Type 1 diabetes.
During this time, I received a tone-deaf fundraising newsletter for diabetes research that was not even close to relevant for me. At any other time, I may have simply thrown the newsletter away. Instead, annoyed, I called the non-profit and asked them how effective their major donor fundraising efforts were. I was not surprised that their efforts weren’t very effective.
I proposed using my inbound marketing expertise with my knowledge of fundraising to work with them to create a new campaign focused on major donors, which was VERY effective.
This experience opened my eyes to the critical importance of effective fundraising for causes that truly matter along with how ineffective and inefficient traditional approaches are.
Driven by a desire to make a difference, I founded MarketSmart in 2008. As a marketer and tech enthusiast at heart, we have developed an innovative platform that uses advanced tracking technologies to help nonprofits connect more meaningfully with potential donors.
Our approach hasn’t always been welcomed with open arms. I’ve faced skepticism and even heckling at industry events. But I persevered, fueled by the belief that there had to be a better way to support the causes we care about.
Today, MarketSmart is a leader in the industry, providing cutting-edge, tech-driven fundraising solutions. We’ve coined the term “Engagement Fundraising” (I’ve literally written the book on it!) to describe our breakthrough formula for achieving extraordinary results. Our system helps fundraisers zero in on donors most likely to support their organizations with major and legacy gifts.
What sets us apart is our donor-driven approach. We inspire supporters to lean in, engage, and explain why they care. This not only optimizes fundraising operations but also leads to happier fundraisers and donors.
My personal experiences have shaped MarketSmart’s mission. We’re not just about raising money; we’re about connecting people to the causes they’re passionate about and maximizing the impact of their generosity.
I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished, but I’m even more excited about the future. As we continue to innovate and grow, we remain committed to our core purpose: helping nonprofits raise more money more efficiently to make the world a better place.
Get the Book
Engagement Fundraising (It’s free)!
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 an impact by facilitating their acts of philanthropy but feel like too many obstacles keep getting in your way?
Then this book is for you.
