I’d like to share a couple of lessons learned. Long, long ago in a galaxy far away, I took my first fundraising job. I had run a department at another nonprofit theater – managing a full-time staff of 25. So in a way, it felt like I’d been knocked down a few pegs. But I didn’t […]
The best fundraising idea I ever stole – part 3
For much of the past decade, I worked for nonprofits that are on the smaller side. We needed maximum results from minimal staff. I’m always on the look-out for great ideas that I can copy, DIY-style. So it’s fortunate that I’ve been a fan of Tom Ahern and his e-newsletter for so long. He turned me […]
The best fundraising ideas I ever stole – part one
Talent borrows, genius steals. Oscar Wilde The best fundraising ideas… Are probably already out there for you to use. I’m not a genius. So I will try to give credit where memory allows. It was a colleague who once told me there aren’t any great new ideas – just people who know how to borrow […]
How to apologize
Apologizing is never fun. But at some point, you open an envelope or answer the phone and find an upset supporter. You cringe and wonder what went wrong. Remember: how you handle this may make all the difference in your relationship with this donor. So do it right! The first rule? No matter how strong […]
Your quick and easy solution to donor retention
Donor retention? I’m sure you’ve been hearing all about donor retention lately. It’s a hot topic in fundraising circles –especially now. And thanks to a bad economy, we’ve learned to pay more attention to the donors we already have. So is there a quick and easy solution? So you probably know the sad truth: most […]