Starting a crowdfunding campaign is an easy, effective way to quickly raise funds for a specific project, but many nonprofits see a disconnect when attempting to keep crowdfunding donors engaged with their mission over the long term. Converting crowdfunders and other first-time donors into long-term supporters allows you to capitalize on the low acquisition costs […]
No matter what type of fundraising campaign your organization is running, a well-developed communications plan will help to ensure your success. The goal of a communications plan is to assist your nonprofit in thinking more strategically and communicating more effectively to meet the goals of your campaign. Here are some things you need to […]
Anyone who has been in the nonprofits for so long already knows that social media is here to stay for decades, if not longer. There have been no signs of decline in the use of social media over the past few months. More often than not, nonprofit organizations are run by small groups of volunteers […]
Nonprofit organizations have always fought to engage donors, optimize fundraising, and acquire increased support. However, now more than ever the struggle to raise these metrics has left many fundraising professionals drowning against the rising tide of pandemic-related complications. For example, with donors suffering virtual fatigue from the hard switch to online life, it can seem […]
The calendar has turned to October, the last and remaining quarter of the year. If we thought we had time to work on a Calendar Year-End appeal, that time is upon us. Many groups still send out one direct mail appeal letter sometime in December. However, this approach does not maximize the possibility of the […]
In the past year, nonprofits have gotten creative in their fundraising endeavors. From hosting virtual events and outdoor galas to pivoting their programming to support their communities during this public health crisis, nonprofit organizations have figured out new ways to reach their communities and support their mission. One thing is certain: relying on a single […]
You have new donors who have just given. These are the hardest donors to convert into second-time gifts. The last thing you want to do is shower them with silence. But in most small not-for-profit organizations, that is exactly what we do. We took active steps to welcome new donors; even back in the “old […]
There’s no denying that Facebook fundraising is here to stay— after all, the platform has raised $2 billion and counting as of 2019 and some nonprofits have raised millions through this fundraising channel alone. However, some nonprofits go astray with their social fundraising strategy by getting caught up in the metrics— page followers, post engagement, […]
The most overlooked fundraising strategy starts and ends with a dial tone. An important strategy, telemarketing has taken backstage to direct mail, email, video, and text messaging. Once considered the next best method of personal solicitation, fundraisers use it less and less as other forms of technology have taken over. Still, yet its relevance and […]
Roger, we have a problem. Revenue is down. What do we do? What steps can we take immediately to get us on track? Let’s see; here are some possible options. Could we fire or lay off some staff and immediately reduce expenses? We can cut the fundraising professional development training – they don’t need it […]
Things have been moving fast and furious lately. Working long hours, late nights, and on weekends to keep up with all the nonprofit work. This past weekend, my body revolted, and I had an appendix attack. I was immediately rushed in for emergency surgery. My body stopped me in my tracks. Bodies are systems. As […]
Why did our last fundraising appeal “tank”? Why is our donor retention rate so low? Why are we not acquiring new donors? The big question of “Why!” In Peter Senge’s book, The Fifth Disciple Fieldbook, Rick Ross points out, “We live in a world of self-generating beliefs which remain largely untested. We adopt those beliefs […]
Online engagement is crucial for nonprofit organizations this year and beyond. The movement to host more virtual events and fundraise in the virtual space has been slowly picking up speed for years. With the COVID-19 pandemic, it has secured a spot as an incredibly effective way to raise money. This unforeseen period brought forth a […]
The relationship with your funder does not end after signing the grant agreement, receipting the check, or even final reporting. How you care for that relationship after you get funded has a significant impact on how funders perceive you and how they speak to you to others. And yes, they do talk to others about […]
When you think of a call-to-action (CTA), a few basic examples might pop into your head. You’ve likely seen plenty of CTAs in your time as a nonprofit fundraising professional, most of them probably simple phrases like “Donate Now!” or “Give Today!” But you’ve been in the fundraising space long enough to know simple phrases […]
The number one reason donors do not give aside from not being asked is that they are not provided a problem to solve. Or at least a problem that they understand why they need to solve it. It is in their donor “Calls to Action” that a slight tweak or two can make a substantial […]
What happens when you don’t invest in donor acquisition? Well, your organisation will face a declining donor base with the need to raise more money from fewer donors. With about 10% of donor bases naturally declining each year, the focus either becomes on raising more money through a small number of donors or deciding to […]
In this day and age, as development professionals, we need to keep our eye both on donor retention and acquisition. It is one thing to retain your current donors. But if you are not constantly acquiring new ones, your donor file will naturally attrite through donors changing addresses, passing on, or just choosing not to […]
For many, as the calendars switch to spring, our organisations begin their budget planning season in preparation of a new fiscal year. As a result, development departments are often hard-pressed to come up budget sometimes right in the middle of a busy special event season. This article highlights the process that an organisation should undertake […]
Donor cultivation events should be an important part of your fundraising program. Whether you are a small or large non-profit, or if you are raising money for annual operations for capital campaigns, you need to incorporate them as a vital element of your yearly development calendar. The first question that I often get asked is, […]
What happens next after you develop your sponsorship prospect list for your next special event? Do you send them all the same letter? Do you make personal phone calls? To whom? How do you get in the door? Who should you ask first? I often work with groups who either blanket send out their sponsorship […]
It all happens to us. Time silently ticks away, and deadlines loom. And, then, BAM, out of the blue, a crisis occurs with a client, or some other proverbial “fire” starts burning. Perhaps it is a last-minute grant deadline suddenly arises, or the photocopier goes out on the fritz, but whatever it may be, things […]
After having served most of my career as a Director of Development in a small organisation, I understand the realities of trying to handle all of the major tasks and responsibilities that come up daily; plus the fires that seem to endlessly start and burn. Major gift work often gets put on the “back burner” […]
Many groups end the year and then move onto their next project starting January 1. While forward-thinking and acting is important, it is also equally as critical to do some analysis of the past year; calendar year-end, particularly, since it is a barometer of the overall health of your development program. Since I believe that […]
