Smartideas

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

My New Engagement Fundraising Podcast: The reviews are in!

Whenever I do something new, I get a little nervous. “Will they like it? Will they “get” it? What if the New Jersey boy in… Read More


Why People Give (Season 1, Episode 8)

0.75x 1x 1.25x 1.5x 2x 0:0018:26 Why People Give (Season 1, Episode 8) Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsShare Leave a ReviewListen in a New WindowDownloadSoundCloudStitcherSubscribe on AndroidSubscribe… Read More


Why People Give (EF-S01-E08)

0.75x 1x 1.25x 1.5x 2x 0:0018:26 Why People Give (EF-S01-E08) Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsShare Leave a ReviewListen in a New WindowDownloadSoundCloudStitcherSubscribe on AndroidSubscribe via RSSTuneIn RadioSpotifyPlayer… Read More


Fundraisers, today you have a chance to feel exactly how your donors feel

Disaster. Friends, our fellow Americans are facing trillions of gallons of water. It’s a disaster that will, unfortunately, end up being the worst in Texas’ history…. Read More


Donor Expectations (Season 1, Episode 7)

0.75x 1x 1.25x 1.5x 2x 0:0021:54 Donor Expectations (Season 1, Episode 7) Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsShare Leave a ReviewListen in a New WindowDownloadSoundCloudStitcherSubscribe on AndroidSubscribe via… Read More


Donor Expectations (EF-S01-E07)

0.75x 1x 1.25x 1.5x 2x 0:0021:54 Donor Expectations (EF-S01-E07) Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsShare Leave a ReviewListen in a New WindowDownloadSoundCloudStitcherSubscribe on AndroidSubscribe via RSSTuneIn RadioSpotifyPlayer Embed… Read More


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


3 big reasons why email open rates don’t matter (and what you should measure instead)

First, a short story Recently I participated in a roundtable discussion led by a salesperson for one of those cookie-cutter planned giving website companies. She was… Read More


Content Offers Donors Love (Season 1, Episode 6)

0.75x 1x 1.25x 1.5x 2x 0:0021:23 Content Offers Donors Love (Season 1, Episode 6) Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsShare Leave a ReviewListen in a New WindowDownloadSoundCloudStitcherSubscribe on… Read More


Content Offers Donors Love (EF-S01-E06)

0.75x 1x 1.25x 1.5x 2x 0:0021:23 Content Offers Donors Love (EF-S01-E06) Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsShare Leave a ReviewListen in a New WindowDownloadSoundCloudStitcherSubscribe on AndroidSubscribe via RSSTuneIn… Read More


Want to hear an example of why I absolutely LOVE my employees?

I love my employees. Seriously! They are amazing people. But don’t take my word for it. Judge for yourself! Zach Shefska (the guy who runs my… Read More


7 great old quotes about philanthropy

1. Abraham Lincoln famously said, “When I do good, I feel good; when I do bad, I feel bad; and that’s my religion.” 2. Booker… Read More


The Four Selfs (Season 1, Episode 5)

0.75x 1x 1.25x 1.5x 2x 0:0016:46 The Four Selfs (Season 1, Episode 5) Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsShare Leave a ReviewListen in a New WindowDownloadSoundCloudStitcherSubscribe on AndroidSubscribe… Read More


The Four Selfs (EF-S01-E05)

0.75x 1x 1.25x 1.5x 2x 0:0016:46 The Four Selfs (EF-S01-E05) Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsShare Leave a ReviewListen in a New WindowDownloadSoundCloudStitcherSubscribe on AndroidSubscribe via RSSTuneIn RadioSpotifyPlayer… Read More


Do you include lists of other donors in your marketing?

Safety in numbers. Not all that long ago, humans lived in tribes and clans for safety. So, today, it’s no surprise that people still maintain… Read More


7 simple ways to engender fondness among your supporters for yourself and your nonprofit’s cause

People are more likely to be persuaded by people we like. So, no matter how worthy your cause is, if your supporters don’t like you,… Read More


How to structure and staff your planned gift shop for the 21st century

Jim Collins, author of the best-selling book Good to Great, has three big recommendations for all organizations: Get the right people on the bus Get… Read More


Email as a Fundraising Tool (Season 1, Episode 4)

0.75x 1x 1.25x 1.5x 2x 0:0026:24 Email as a Fundraising Tool (Season 1, Episode 4) Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsShare Leave a ReviewListen in a New WindowDownloadSoundCloudStitcherSubscribe… Read More


Email as a Fundraising Tool (EF-S01-E04)

0.75x 1x 1.25x 1.5x 2x 0:0026:24 Email as a Fundraising Tool (EF-S01-E04) Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsShare Leave a ReviewListen in a New WindowDownloadSoundCloudStitcherSubscribe on AndroidSubscribe via… Read More


3 questions to ask before you spam, spray and pray

When done right, email and print work very well together to produce results. But too many nonprofits turn those effective channels into “spam” and “junk… Read More


Introducing the Engagement Fundraising Podcast – Now Available!

Today is a great day! I’m so excited to tell you about a brand new weekly podcast that I’m on all about engagement fundraising! Now available… Read More


Donor Surveys (Season 1, Episode 3)

0.75x 1x 1.25x 1.5x 2x 0:0033:45 Donor Surveys (Season 1, Episode 3) Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsShare Leave a ReviewListen in a New WindowDownloadSoundCloudStitcherSubscribe on AndroidSubscribe via… Read More


Donor Surveys (EF-S01-E03)

0.75x 1x 1.25x 1.5x 2x 0:0033:45 Donor Surveys (EF-S01-E03) Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsShare Leave a ReviewListen in a New WindowDownloadSoundCloudStitcherSubscribe on AndroidSubscribe via RSSTuneIn RadioSpotifyPlayer Embed… Read More


Why Oprah Winfrey gives money to build schools in Africa (the 8 components of impactful giving)

You might have known that Oprah was a philanthropist; but did you know why? Most people think they know Oprah Winfrey, one of the richest self-made… Read More


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