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Why “because” matters to your ask

Because is a word kids come to dread. I remember being a kid and getting a very unsatisfying answer to some questions. My questions were usually “Why?” or more often “Why not?” And the unsatisfying answer was “Because” or worse, “Because I said so.” Does that sound familiar to you? It was infuriating, of course. […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications, Fundraising Tagged With: appeal writing, donor communications, Fundraising Leave a Comment

Your last-minute year-end appeal checklist

Ah… your year-end fundraising appeal isn’t out yet. And maybe, just maybe, life got in the way, too. I’m trying not to panic about Christmas shopping myself. But if you haven’t sent your year-end appeal yet, maybe this will help. And if you have already mailed something, maybe this will help with those late December […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications, Fundraising Tagged With: appeal writing, donor communications Leave a Comment

Are you caught up in “Yay Us” fundraising?

“Yay Us!” Be honest… is that what your donor communications read like? First, I want you to know that I’m pulling for you. And if you’re lucky enough to work for a nonprofit whose work you absolutely love and believe in, I’m thrilled for you. Seriously. Not everyone is so fortunate. But you know your […]

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: donor communication Leave a Comment

Why “team-building” fails you and your staff

Team-building: what managers need to know Can we talk about “team-building” and how it can so easily do just the opposite? It’s essential for nonprofit staff to work well together. And especially for teams within that structure. And I know (from long experience) that nonprofit work, in particular fundraising, is often not 9-5 work. Extra […]

Filed Under: Blog, Fundraising staff Tagged With: nonprofit staff, work life balance Leave a Comment

Why baby shoes knock the socks off stats

What do baby shoes have to do with fundraising? Well, Joe Friday would make a terrible fundraiser. Joe wanted “just the facts, ma’am.” (For those of you who didn’t grow up watching Dragnet, here’s a taste.) That’s not to say fundraising communications should not be true. It’s just that there’s so much more to it […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications Tagged With: emotional fundraising, fundraising appeals, storytelling 8 Comments

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