Hands-On Fundraising

Donor Communications

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

Donor Communications

She’s the one.

She’s the one. Your donor, that is. Or she should feel like the one. Strong communication is one-to-one. Underline that for fundraising communications. Who me? Think about it. You’re writing with a purpose. You want someone to do something. Want donors to ignore your request? Ask “someone” to do something. (One funny exception: my younger […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications Tagged With: donor focus, donor love, Writing Leave a Comment

Why it’s smart to love your donors for who they are

Why it’s smart to love your donors for who they are Identity matters. So are we letting a few verbs stand in the way of better solicitations? I read an article in the New York Times about the U.S.’s struggles with low voter turnout. One point made was that an experiment showed identity mattered more […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications Tagged With: donor appeals, donor retention, neuropsychology 1 Comment

Stop talking about fundraising. Start talking about results.

Ah, fundraising results… so important, right? What have you done to justify your existence? I had a boss, years ago, who liked to walk around and ask staff that question. It was obnoxious, to be sure. I think it was meant to keep us on our toes. (Like we had time to stand up?) But […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications Tagged With: donor communication, trust, what donors care about 2 Comments

Are you using the magic fundraising word?

Are you using the magic fundraising word? Wait, fundraising magic? You’ve heard it before: a magic word that will transform your fundraising. The word is YOU. So you dutifully make sure that word is everywhere. But maybe it doesn’t do as much magic as you’d expected. You is magic, but there’s more to it than […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications Tagged With: donor appeals, donor as hero, donor focus 1 Comment

How to wreck your fundraising appeal

Statistics can wreck your fundraising appeal There are plenty of fundraising appeals landing in my mailbox and inbox. I’ll bet it’s the same for you. I open them, hoping to be moved, or learn something new. What I see is one characteristic that wrecks appeals. They’re all head and no heart. They’re built on carefully […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications Tagged With: emotional fundraising, fundraising appeals, storytelling 1 Comment

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 32
  • 33
  • 34
  • 35
  • 36
  • …
  • 52
  • Next Page »

Fundraising advice served fresh to your inbox

Get yours here:

Search

Recent Posts

  • DIY Donor newsletter – yes, you can
  • Three steps you should take now to keep your donors this year
  • How to Build Your Own Donor-Centric Fundraising Strategy
  • Please don’t go! 5 ways to win donor hearts again.
  • Can we stop this in its tracks, please?

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