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4 Ways to Turn One-Time Donors Into Long-Term Supporters

You’ve just wrapped up a successful fundraising campaign. The donations are in, the thank-yous are sent, and the team is celebrating a job well done. But what happens to all those new names on your donor list? Converting one-time donors into long-term supporters is a vital step toward building a sustainable funding base for your […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications, Donor retention Tagged With: donor communications, donor retention

Looking for attention? Why the details matter

It’s almost that time of year again. Your mailbox and inbox are probably getting as crowded as mine are. Appeals from organizations you’ve supported. And appeals from new organizations, hoping to grab your attention. It’s overwhelming to you, a professional. Imagine how it feels to your kind donors. Plus, we’re living in an age of […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications Tagged With: appeal writing, attention, details

This is why you can’t find a great development director

Great development directors are precious. It seems there is a constant demand for development directors. Turnover is a tremendous problem. People wonder why they can’t find a great one. In their study, Underdeveloped, CompassPoint, and the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund found “high levels of turnover and lengthy vacancies in development director positions throughout the sector.” […]

Filed Under: Blog, Fundraising Tagged With: Development director, Fundraising

The new way to fundraise? Trust your mail.

So, have all the cool kids moved to digital? Is AI going to replace human communication? (Don’t get me started on that one…) And is mail so yesterday? Sometimes it seems like that’s what I’m hearing. And I often feel like a grandma, warning people not to move everything online. But grandma or not, I’ll […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications Tagged With: digital fundraising, direct mail

Donor identity: How do your donors see themselves?

Understanding donor identity will strengthen your fundraising. My daughter graduated from Oberlin College. At the ceremony, speakers repeatedly encouraged the grads to go change the world. They were greeted with loud cheers. It was obvious that from alumni to faculty, to graduating students and their younger friends, Oberlin has a strong sense of self. It’s […]

Filed Under: Blog, Branding, Donors Tagged With: donor identity, donor retention, donor survey

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