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Go ahead, make me

Have you ever wanted to say “make me!” in response to an appeal? Some frequently used packages always crack me up. I know these are so common because they work – though I’m not sure how “work” is defined, especially in the long term. There’s the nickel pack. No, wait, we’re up to a dime. (I […]

Filed Under: Annual Giving, Blog, Donor communications Tagged With: annual appeals, appeal writing, donor-focused, fundraising appeals 3 Comments

Year-end YIKES? Keep this in mind.

Is year-end fundraising keeping you up at night? If you haven’t got your plan down for the end of the year giving season, you’re going to have to improvise. That’s when some experience can help. Like an athlete’s muscle memory, good instincts can get you through. Here are some things I’ve learned over the years. […]

Filed Under: Annual Giving, Blog Tagged With: appeal letter, thank you letters, year-end plan Leave a Comment

Thank you. You’re wonderful.

“Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude.”― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh Thank you. It’s the season for turkey and over-eating. But also, and much more filling, for gratitude. Gratitude has a way of resetting our outlook. It’s just about impossible to be truly […]

Filed Under: Blog, Thanks Tagged With: gratitude, thank you 2 Comments

Perspective

  I hope you’ll forgive me for a little story. I was pretty grumpy as I left the house that morning. I had gotten up early so I could get into the office well before anyone else. Maybe actually get something done. I pulled into Dunkin Donuts for an iced tea. (I’ll never learn to […]

Filed Under: Blog, Caring for yourself Tagged With: gratitude, homelessness, Nonprofit, social justice 1 Comment

I’m no hero and neither are you

I’m no hero, but I’m trying to do it all right now. I bet you know what I mean. Year-end is especially busy for those of us who raise money for nonprofits. It’s the high holy season of giving, and if we’re not ever present in our donors’ consciousness, we risk losing support. If we […]

Filed Under: Blog, Caring for yourself, Donors Tagged With: Donors, Fundraising, help, individual giving, Nonprofit, Nonprofit organization 2 Comments

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