According to recent findings in the 2018 Fundraising Effectiveness Project, The Agitator points out that “The warning signs are there – decreasing numbers of new donors and decreasing reactivation rates of lapsed donors.” We are apparently doing a better job with donor retention, but not acquiring new ones or bringing lapsed ones back into the fold. […]
So, you have an upcoming special event and you want to seek sponsors, and now you are wondering how to develop sponsorship opportunities that make sense and that inspire businesses to support you. Well, when I advise my clients on how to develop sponsorships, one thing that I urge them to do is to consider […]
So, you have finally decided to start your major gifts program in your fundraising office, and now you are wondering how to establish a Moves Management system for cultivation. Well, you may be first wondering, what are moves? Moves are cultivation activities. They may include things such as a telephone call, a personal visit, or a […]
Have you ever wondered if all you can ask for is general operating support? Or perhaps, you asked how you could offer different projects for your donors to support without creating restricted donations? I recommend to my clients that they consider packaging their annual operating budget into a “Family of Funds.” A Family of Funds […]
Soliciting new donors, much like growing your major gifts portfolios and upgrading mid-level donors to give more, should also start with those you already know. Prospects can be hiding in plain sight. It is after you’ve culled through your existing list that you should, then, utilize proven strategies to find major donors elsewhere. I recommend […]
If your nonprofit organisation has a membership component to it, you may have found that individual’s membership levels remain the same year after year. Or, members seem to be choosing one specific level over another, time after time. What we do know is that donors will tend to maintain their current membership level indefinitely, unless […]
Giving societies can be an excellent way to cultivate, steward, and upgrade donors in your organisation. Some giving societies focus on level, monthly, major, and legacy donors. Generally, non-profits set up various groups at different giving levels and offer corresponding benefits to group members. If done correctly, these giving societies have the potential of creating deeper engagement and […]
The cultivation event was a starting point. It’s what you do after the event that counts when it comes to donor cultivation and building sustainable relationships with your attendees. Event follow-up is the critical element to starting to build your prospective donor base. What is donor cultivation? Donor cultivation is any house party, reception, gathering, or other […]
The many factors that affect grant writing success are incredibly diverse. They include such things as the reputation and professionalism of the organisation; the quality of the program or evaluation design; the qualifications of proposed staff; the needs of the funder for diversity in the geographic distribution of awards or types of beneficiaries; foundation’s giving […]
I started my fundraising career almost twenty-five years ago. Like most people during those days, I learned on the job. It was something that I “chose” to be or to do. It was a necessity to keep the organisation operating. Back in those days, one did not have access to such detailed and informative training. […]
organisations often become so focused on acquiring new donors and broadening their universe of prospects rather than developing and building relationships with the ones that they currently have. Many organisations that I see are not focused on renewing their current donors and planning for potential gift upgrades. In fact, while some groups are focused on […]
A wise organisation is one that provides its donors with multiple options, whether programs or projects to invest. Donors come with all different types of passions held deep in their hearts, and it is our job to match those desires with our organisation’s programs. Sometimes, when you only provide one option (e.g., general operating support), […]
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