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Why you want to welcome strangers

What does it mean to welcome the stranger? The tradition of welcome is strong in many cultures and religions around the world. My own family is largely Irish. If I want to get all misty-eyed about my heritage I could point to the importance hospitality held among the ancient Celts. But it’s the same with […]

Filed Under: Blog, Fundraising Tagged With: gratitude, Thanksgiving, welcoming strangers 3 Comments

How to raise more and spend less money

Raise more money and spend less? Some unsolicited advice for organization leaders Whatever your fiscal calendar, this is the time of year when hopes are placed on fundraising success. Most organizations raise a good part of their money between November and December. Your fundraising staff are busy. There are mailings to get out, email campaigns […]

Filed Under: Blog, Fundraising Tagged With: fundraising staff, fundraising success, nonprofit management 2 Comments

Partied to death: can we escape the gala trap?

Partied to death: can we escape the gala trap? Fundraising events: love ’em or leave ’em? I just read Nell Edgington’s excellent piece. (You should read it now. I’ll wait.) Nell refutes most of the usual arguments for holding these events. She points to their real costs – costs we don’t often consider. And I […]

Filed Under: Blog, Fundraising Tagged With: corporate sponsorships, fundraising events, volunteers 7 Comments

Donors ARE heroes. So are you.

Donors are heroes. There, I said it. Can we celebrate donors without ignoring everyone else? You bet we can. My friend Vu wrote this in his usual funny and Game of Thrones-scented style about donor-centered fundraising. His concern was that in focusing on donors’ roles and making them central, we were ignoring many other parts […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications, Fundraising Tagged With: donor as hero, donor-centered fundraising, nonprofit mission 8 Comments

You don’t want to be that guy

You don’t want to be that guy Imagine someone coming to your door. You open it and hear: Hey babe! Here’s why you want to go out with me. First, I’m a great person. Just last year, I was listed as one of the 40 greatest guys under 60. In fact, I’m 24% better than […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications, Fundraising Tagged With: appeal letters, donor newsletter, donor-focused 11 Comments

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