Hands-On Fundraising

Donor Communications

  • About
  • Hands-On Fundraising Blog
  • Services
  • Contact

Donor Communications

How you can use the Benjamin Franklin effect

The Benjamin Franklin effect describes how doing a favor for someone can actually make us feel more positive about that person. The phenomenon is named after Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America, who wrote about the concept in his autobiography.  From The Decision Lab: While serving in the Pennsylvania Assembly, […]

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

13 Quick tips for your next fundraising appeal

Do you want to write a great fundraising appeal? Here are some quick tips for you! 1. Start with a great story Find a story that illustrates the “why” of your organization. Talk to your program staff. Gather several stories and see which one is best. This won’t be the story that shows off the […]

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

Write a better fundraising appeal

A better fundraising appeal? A better fundraising appeal is simple. You’ve probably heard this before. But my mailbox says too many writers are not taking it seriously. Do you want to write a better fundraising appeal? Do you want to get read? Keep your fundraising appeal simple. I’m talking 4th to 6th grade level, simple. […]

Filed Under: Annual Giving, Blog, Donor communications Tagged With: appeal writing, Writing, writing for donors

So you want more active donors and more income…

Individual donors are the backbone of a good fundraising program. Not just for the money they bring to your mission. But more people who care about your mission means more opportunities to grow. Donors talk to friends, and sometimes they become your new friends, too. Start with a good data foundation You should have a […]

Filed Under: Annual Giving, Donor communications Tagged With: donor relationships

How to help people feel connected

Connected? What’s that? We’re zooming, we’re calling, we’re writing… but are we connecting? Here are some ideas to help people feel connected now. An article in Psychology Today explained the importance of feeling understood. In fact, the title was: Feeling understood is more important than feeling loved. Whoa. Maybe this is a good time to […]

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

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 54
  • Next Page »

Fundraising advice served fresh to your inbox

Get yours here:

Search

Recent Posts

  • Arts Fundraising: Engage and Inspire Your Donors
  • How you can use the Benjamin Franklin effect
  • 13 Quick tips for your next fundraising appeal
  • Can’t afford to raise money?
  • You can stop listening to excuses and raise more money

Work with me!

Let's talk about how I can help your organization raise more money.

Contact

  • Donor communications
  • Fundraising Strategy

Copyright © 2026 · Mary Cahalane · Hands-On Fundraising · 847 S. Main Street · #183 · Plantsville, CT 06479