3 Big Reasons Why An ‘Ask’ Is Mostly About Your Donor’s Hero Story (Not Your Organization’s)
The narrative arc Story moves through a narrative arc. This includes: Backstory and setting These establish motivation from the main…
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The 3 Key Elements of a Good Fundraising Story
What’s it about? Many stories can be good stories. But a good fundraising story must do something specific. It must…
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How Restricted Gifts Can Actually Be a GOOD Thing — And Why You Should Embrace Them
Fundraising is story world Lab experiments, field experiments, and academic theory agree: Fundraising lives in “story world,” not “commerce world.”…
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Why people who say your non-profit should operate like a for-profit are wrong
Giving is different from buying Charitable giving comes from “story world.” Effective fundraising story triggers visualization producing social emotion. This…
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Why Simple Words Work When Telling a Fundraising Story
Use your words Story starts with words. Word choice matters. It matters for fundraising story. For example, Simple, conversational, family…
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5 Reasons Why You Should Focus Your Fundraising On Foundations, Funds, Trusts, and Endowments
Many fundraisers don’t understand the world of big philanthropy. Why not? Because they don’t understand wealth. They don’t understand charitable…
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How to make sure the experience you deliver to donors makes their giving feel worthwhile
Charity managers’ perspective How should a gift be structured? For charity managers, the answer is easy. The donor should just…
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How to Reduce the ‘Cost’ of Philanthropy So Major Donors Give More
Teen Talk Barbie famously stated, “Math is hard.”[1] This may be particularly true in fundraising. Giving is motivated by social emotion. Triggering math,…
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Why You Should Focus Your Fundraising Efforts on Generating Gifts of Wealth (from Assets) Not on Disposable Income (from Credit Cards, Checks, or Cash)
Gifts of wealth A donation comes from the intersection of motivation and cost. Most of this series focuses on the…
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How to Lower the ‘Cost’ of Philanthropy So Your Supporters Donate Major Gifts of Assets
In fundraising, a gift results when motivation overcomes cost. Increasing motivation helps. So does lowering cost. These make the gift easier. But sometimes, these…
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How To Use Numbers To Inspire More Giving (and How You Should NOT Use Them)
Numbers For nonprofit managers, numbers are important. Numbers define success or failure. Numbers keep the lights on or off. Numbers…
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How to develop a ‘character’ in your fundraising stories in 3 steps — according to Dr. Russell James
At the heart of philanthropy is story. Story starts with character. Without a relatable character, the fundraising story is dead.…
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4 big ideas Dr. Russell James got from scanning donor brains with neuroimaging equipment
Philanthropy originates in story. In the earliest foundations of human social cooperation, story is at the center.[1] In empathy development…
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Finally, the story behind Dr. Russell James’ research on fundraising stories
My journey My career has always focused on charitable giving. This was true in my practice experience, my research, and…
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