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 […]
Here are the questions every nonprofit should ask
Let me share a brief and not-too-flattering story. A few years ago, a friend announced her new job in an area that intersected with my organization’s mission. I offered any help I could give someone new to the nonprofit world. And then had a moment when I wondered if that could be a problem. Would […]
Witness to Brandicide
Witness to brandicide It’s not as if we weren’t warned. Really smart people have written about the killing power of a new “brand”. (See Jeff Brooks at Future Fundraising Now or Tom Ahern’s site: Ahern Communications, Ink). If you’ve seen it up close, you know what I’m talking about. It’s infuriating. The process works something like […]
Why letters are like people
Letters are like people? Let me explain. Have you ever noticed distinct personalities in the nonprofit letters you get? I find myself imaging organizational personas as I read. Here are a few. Let’s imagine a party. Glass in hand, you mingle with the crowd. Who do you meet? Letters are like people – meet some […]
Listen to your grandma
Listen to your grandma… she knows about proper thanks. I’ve written a few times about poorly done thanks or solicitations, so I wanted to write about a thank you we recently received that did it right. But instead of my response, let me offer my husband’s. He’s not a fundraiser so he’s probably a better […]