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Donor Communications

How this thank you is the winning move for loyal donors

You call it demanding, I call it discerning. OK, I will admit it: I can be the El Exigente of donor communications. Picky, picky, picky. If a family member happens to be standing nearby as I open the mail, I drive them nuts. “This is a thank you letter? It’s all about them!” “My annual […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications Tagged With: donor love, loyal donors, thank you letters

8 easy ways to write a better appeal

Want to write a better appeal? Here’s what I know about writing good fundraising letters: You can practice and study for years and still feel like you’re only scratching the surface. There’s always something new because we’re always learning something new. So perfection will always be out of reach. But don’t let the perfect get […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications Tagged With: appeal writing, fundraising appeal

The trouble with your entitled donors

Entitled donors? What rights do your donors have? How concerned are you about your donors’ concerns? Have you thought about what they’re owed from your organization – or from you? How about something basic: how much control do they have over what communications they receive? Can they request less mail or email – and have […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications Tagged With: donor care, fundraising appeal

Are you settling for a lazy year-end fundraising message?

What’s your fundraising message? And how are you handling your end-of-year appeals online? A look at my Facebook feed shows many examples of organizations making the most of the year’s end. The messaging isn’t always as good as the causes, however. Here are some that caught my eye – and why I think they hit […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications Tagged With: emotional fundraising, social media fundraising, year-end fundraising

Why you might be focused on the wrong thing

Wrong focus? It’s not about you. I was thrilled to see an article in the New York Times about giving. And even more excited when it featured Tom Ahern, Jen Love, and Jennifer Shang. The article’s title – Asking for Money? Compliment the Donor, Not Your Organization – lays it right out there. My mailbox, […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications Tagged With: donor-focused, fundraising appeal

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Recent Posts

  • Why you should exercise your imagination
  • How to write a thank-you letter that builds relationships
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  • How to win donors by writing from your heart
  • Arts Fundraising: Engage and Inspire Your Donors

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