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Where are all my stories hiding?

Where do you find the stories you need? So you’re (more) convinced that stories are the way to win over hearts. But now comes the big challenge. Where do I find our stories? I understand. It’s hard! We’ve all been carefully trained to judge our work using metrics. (And you must do that!) But what […]

Filed Under: Blog, Fundraising Tagged With: donor communications, donor relationships, storytelling

Why you should always be learning

I’ve been in the nonprofit world for more than three decades. (I’d like to say I started at 10, but that wouldn’t be quite honest.) But whatever the organization, or even my role, one thing was absolutely true. There was always something to be learned. Always a way to do something better, faster, smarter. And […]

Filed Under: Blog, Fundraising Tagged With: fundraising success, learning

Fundraising is not debate club

I bought a rowing machine last Christmas. It’s still causing arguments. ~John Thompson Full disclosure: I was not in a debate club. I would have been sliced and diced in moments, as I tried to find common ground so everyone could be nice to each other. Take a look at the fundraising mail making its […]

Filed Under: Donor communications, Fundraising Tagged With: debate, donor comm

Did you miss the day fundraising took a vow of poverty?

Fundraisers – and fundraising – need to be funded. The pandemic has caused an interesting shake-up: many employers are struggling to find or keep employees. Meanwhile, the nonprofit sector has an unfortunate history of paying poorly – that matches up to a history of short stays for employees. (It always seems like the person who […]

Filed Under: Blog, Fundraising, Nonprofits Tagged With: Fundraising, fundraising staff, nonprofit management

What it costs to feel all the feels – and why you should pay

This is a short story about feeling all the feels. Back in my younger days, I was a theater person. I mean, I still feel like a theater person, but now I’m an audience member. Then, I was a performer. As a little girl, my dream was to be a ballet dancer. Watching ballet can […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications, Fundraising Tagged With: appeal writing, donor communications, donor love

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