NO ONE WILL SAY YES TO A VISIT... I'VE TRIED EVERYTHING! Really? Frequently I'll talk to someone who is just…
There are two languages in fundraising – donorese, and organizationish. And, as often happens when people speak two different languages,…
Many nonprofits use RFM as a means to fill their fundraising caseloads with supposedly qualified prospects – people who have…
One of the most overlooked secrets to getting wealthy people to commit to a major gift is to simply get…
What is the ideal caseload size for gift officers? A quick internet search serves up a classic example of the…
Sure, asking for money is hard. But asking for an estate gift? Even experienced fundraisers can get squeamish. As Anne…
DO THIS ONE THING TO BOOK MORE VISITS: The next time someone tells you they don’t want to visit… in…
Fundraiser turnover is an epidemic. And that’s not just our opinion or an attempt to be dramatic. Actual researchers used…
Disaster! We put in the work. We put in the planning. We carefully execute each step in the cultivation process.…
I wasn’t interested in many Olympic sports until someone came up with the clever idea of preceding them with insightful…
I think colleges and universities should STOP worrying so much about DONOR PARTICIPATION RATES and become much more concerned about…
Making the ask can be the scariest part of fundraising. Setting up social events is great fun. Being friendly with…
Getting started in Major Gifts… better learn to golf! ❌FALSE❌ Of course, if you like to play golf and it…
If you’re a major gift officer, brace yourself, because this article might rile you up a bit. We’re going to…
Before the ask, one step remains. Asking for permission to ask. The request is to present a challenge. This is…
Which stereotype do fundraisers play to? The one that perpetuates false expectations, that makes the best work seem insignificant, and…
Major gifts fundraising faces many challenges. That’s not news, and those challenges come in many forms, from many directions. But…
Let’s talk about wealth We want the donor to talk about assets. Why? Because 1. It creates a setting of…
Major gifts fundraising is about relationships. You know this, and it’s an easy truth to recite in a job interview.…
Donors give because giving enhances some aspect of their identity. They give for many other reasons too, but their final…
The “one big thing” in fundraising is always the same: Advance the donor’s hero story. That’s the right story. But…
Pay fundraisers well, but NEVER pay a commission. I became the highest-paid employee besides the CEO at my organization when…
Your competition is not other nonprofits. Yes, perhaps there are a few others similar enough to your mission to cause…
A compelling fundraising challenge will connect with the donor’s identity. This begins with backstory. Backstory connects the cause, charity, or…