A case for personal fundraising Somebody rarely volunteers. Somebody is easy to ask. Somebody is distant, polite, impersonal… safe. And Somebody never gives. Your organization has a mission – a problem to be solved. The solution almost always requires money. To raise that money, you turn to people who might care about your cause. Maybe […]
Is your annual report a vanity piece or a hard worker?
It’s a serious question: what purpose does your annual report serve? What outcomes are you looking for? Too many organizations see an annual report as part required reporting and part organizational brochure. But even if yours is meant to be a sales piece, is it selling? How do you know? And if you see reporting […]
Beware these pitfalls if you want to raise more money
Indulge me, will you? There are some common words or phrases that I see in too many appeals (and annual reports or even thank you letters) that set my teeth on edge. You’ll find me, almost daily, sorting my mail and shaking my head. So here, for your amusement or education, are a few. […]
Why the things you hate make good appeals
Ever seen an appeal you just hated? I mean, really hated? Most of my career, I’ve focused on annual giving – and especially on communicating with donors. I often open and look at the solicitations I receive. I usually have professional opinions on the appeals. But even so, I’m always surprised by the negative reactions […]
How to address hard truths in the era of fake news
Yes, this is still a piece about fundraising and nonprofits I watched the press conference wind to an end. At that point, the spokesperson uttered demonstrably incorrect words and walked away from the podium. Boom. The intent was obvious: my “facts” will trump your “fake news”. Obviously, our current situation is fraught with danger. But […]