Smartideas

Straight talk about major, mid-level and legacy gift fundraising to help you be a better fundraiser

What Data Fundraisers Want to Qualify and Prioritize Donors (Season 3, Episode 9)

0.75x 1x 1.25x 1.5x 2x 0:0015:50 What Data Fundraisers Want to Qualify and Prioritize Donors (Season 3, Episode 9) Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsShare Leave a ReviewListen… Read More


MajorGiftMotivator 184

It’s too bad that nonprofit leaders and board members thwart risk-taking

I think too many in the nonprofit sector fear failure. Unfortunately, that paralyzes people. It prevents them from making decisions and thwarts innovation. In most… Read More


Let’s treat donors like piggy banks, not ATMs!

Stay with me on this. Of course, you can’t expect to get money out of a piggy bank unless you first make deposits. That framework… Read More


MajorGiftMotivator 183

Why Your Year-End Fundraising Failed To Generate As Much Revenue As You Hoped

If your end-of-year ‘interruption’ marketing results were not what you hoped for, perhaps my prediction about ‘FUNDRAISING CLIMATE CHANGE‘ (in my book, Engagement Fundraising) is… Read More


Ever wonder about the history of philanthropy and fundraising? Here it is!

This is so cool! You’re going to love it!   Thanks to the good people at the National Philanthropic Trust, now you can take a… Read More


Additional Supporter Qualification Data (limited time) and Automated Cultivation Subscribers

Additional Supporter Qualification Data When it comes to connecting with your supporters, the more relevant information you have, the better. Wouldn’t it be great to… Read More


MajorGiftMotivator 182

The Four Selfs

I think donors like to qualify themselves, educate themselves, involve themselves, and solicit themselves. I call these the “four selfs” of Engagement Fundraising: Self-qualification  Self-education… Read More


MajorGiftMotivator 181

Automated Cultivation vs. “Moves Management”

I’ve never really felt comfortable with the phrase “moves management.” If you’re unfamiliar with the term, it refers to a process Gift Officers or other… Read More


Are You Too Busy to Succeed?

As Henry David Thoreau pointed out:  “It is not enough to be busy, so are the ants!  The question is, what are we busy about?”… Read More


What To Do When A Donor Won’t Accept Your Outreach (EF-S03-E08)

0.75x 1x 1.25x 1.5x 2x 0:0020:53 What To Do When A Donor Won’t Accept Your Outreach (EF-S03-E08) Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsShare Leave a ReviewListen in a… Read More


What To Do When A Donor Won’t Accept Your Outreach (Season 3, Episode 8)

0.75x 1x 1.25x 1.5x 2x 0:0020:53 What To Do When A Donor Won’t Accept Your Outreach (Season 3, Episode 8) Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsShare Leave a… Read More


Are You Ready to Engage?

If you have been following our past posts, you should have a deep understanding of Engagement Fundraising and its fundamental concepts by now. You may… Read More


MajorGiftMotivator 180

3 scientific concepts you should understand and use properly to break through the noise and gain your supporters’ attention.

People are busy. They’re also drowning in information, data, marketing, and fundraising communications. Gaining their attention isn’t easy. Here are 3 scientific concepts to help… Read More


Free Webinar: 9 Useful Proven Strategies To Get The Major Donor Visit (Claire Axelrad)

I’m excited to share that Clairification Claire (Claire Axelrad) will be hosting a webinar with us on Tuesday, January 8th at 2 PM EST. This… Read More


Here are my IN’s & OUT’s for 2019… what do you think about them?

OUTS Being disrespectful, interrupting & annoying supporters Spray-n’-pray marketing Show up n’ throw up presentations Treating donors like ATM machines Asking for money (begging) Counting… Read More


MajorGiftMotivator 179-B

MajorGiftMotivator 179

MajorGiftMotivator 178

5 Simple Steps for Fundraising Success Thanks to Marc Pitman

A Welcome Discovery! I came across this terrific little book while I was home, nursing a really bad cold this past week. I bought it a… Read More


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