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Write a better fundraising appeal

A better fundraising appeal? A better fundraising appeal is simple. You’ve probably heard this before. But my mailbox says too many writers are not taking it seriously. Do you want to write a better fundraising appeal? Do you want to get read? Keep your fundraising appeal simple. I’m talking 4th to 6th grade level simple. […]

Filed Under: Annual Giving, Blog, Donor communications Tagged With: appeal writing, Writing, writing for donors 13 Comments

So you want more active donors and more income…

Individual donors are the backbone of a good fundraising program. Not just for the money they bring to your mission. But more people who care about your mission means more opportunities to grow. Donors talk to friends, and sometimes they become your new friends, too. Start with a good data foundation You should have a […]

Filed Under: Annual Giving, Donor communications Tagged With: donor relationships Leave a Comment

Is this any way to treat a friend?

I don’t treat friends like this, do you? I’ll admit that I only open some of my mail. Like most people, I quickly sort out the bills and other “must-open” things. Then I go through the rest. One glance at the envelope is usually enough to tell me whether I want to bother opening it. […]

Filed Under: Annual Giving, Blog, Donor communications Tagged With: appeal, appeal writing, donor retention, Donors, Fundraising, Mail, Nonprofit, solicitation Leave a Comment

Size matters. But don’t be too rough on the big guys.

Size matters, right? Do you work in a smaller nonprofit?  Chances are you do. In 2025, “most nonprofits are small and community-based, serving local needs: 92% spend less than $1 million annually; 88% spend less than $500,000.” (Nonprofit Impact Matters) So you probably can’t turn to a well-oiled fundraising machine to coordinate complicated campaigns that […]

Filed Under: Annual Giving, Blog, Donor communications, Thanks Tagged With: Customer service, donor retention, donor-focused, small nonprofits, thank you letters 13 Comments

5 reasons to ditch your annual appeal

5 reasons to ditch your annual appeal… and ask more often Are you still depending on an annual appeal – a single annual solicitation – for your individual giving program? Many smaller organizations are. But if you’re one of them, you ought to reconsider. Here’s why. 1. You need money all year round To accomplish […]

Filed Under: Annual Giving, Blog, Planning Tagged With: annual appeal, donor communications, fundraising plans 5 Comments

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Recent Posts

  • Write a better fundraising appeal
  • So you want more active donors and more income…
  • How to help people feel connected
  • Is this any way to treat a friend?
  • Size matters. But don’t be too rough on the big guys.

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