Hands-On Fundraising

Donor Communications

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

Donor Communications

Writing for someone else’s voice

If you write fundraising appeals, chances are someone else will sign what you write. So how do you write in a way that’s both compelling and believable? The most important thing is not that the letter sounds like the person signing it. The most important thing is that the letter is effective. So resist complaints […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications Tagged With: appeal writing, direct mail, Donors, fundraising appeal, Nonprofit Leave a Comment

Don’t fall in love

Sometimes you can choose when to fall in love It feels wonderful to be in love. Colors are brighter, sounds are sweeter. You know, all that pop song stuff. But it’s a dangerous thing to fall in love with your own writing. Or with your own organization. Don’t get me wrong – you want to […]

Filed Under: Annual Giving, Blog, Donor communications Tagged With: appeal writing, donor-focused, fundraising writing, writing for donors 6 Comments

An endearing appeal from a novice

Sometimes we work so hard at getting it all right. We read everything we can find. We learn all the rules. We labor over each appeal, sure it will be “the one”. And sometimes a complete novice gets an awful lot right. By being sincere. By staying focused on a single message. By working toward […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications Tagged With: appeal writing, email appeals, Fundraising, solicitation 3 Comments

Say thank you like you mean it

Don’t settle for a boring, emotion-free thank you. I picked up my mail the other day and opened an envelope from a well-respected advocacy organization. It was an acknowledgment of my recent gift. And it was so disappointing! Mentally, I went through a list of failures in one letter: My husband’s name was spelled incorrectly. […]

Filed Under: Annual Giving, Blog, Donor communications, Thanks Tagged With: donor retention, Donors, Fundraising, Nonprofit, thank you letters, Thanks 13 Comments

Your killer advantage: great customer service

A customer service story Do your donors feel like this? The other night, my husband called my cell phone. “Are you home?” he asked, puzzled. “Yes”, I answered, just as confused. Apparently, he’d been trying our home line and getting no answer. I checked, and yes, our line was dead. I tried to call AT&T, […]

Filed Under: Annual Giving, Blog, Donor communications Tagged With: Customer service, donor retention, Donors, Nonprofit, relationships, writing for donors 2 Comments

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 48
  • 49
  • 50
  • 51
  • 52
  • 53
  • Next Page »

Fundraising advice served fresh to your inbox

Get yours here:

Search

Recent Posts

  • You can stop listening to excuses and raise more money
  • Write a better fundraising appeal
  • So you want more active donors and more income…
  • How to help people feel connected
  • Is this any way to treat a friend?

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