Hands-On Fundraising

Donor Communications

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

Planning

What’s a nonprofit consultant’s job, anyway?

What is a nonprofit consultant’s job? Tony Martignetti began a conversation yesterday with his provocative videocast. In it, he complained that too many consultants don’t do the hands-on work. He felt too many offer only “tip-sheets” and brief recommendations. And that doesn’t help the organization get ahead. I thought it was an interesting conversation. So I’m continuing it here. […]

Filed Under: Blog, Fundraising, Planning Tagged With: nonprofit consulting, nonprofit organizations, role of consultant 12 Comments

No fundraising plan? Don’t worry. Here’s what you can do.

No fundraising plan? So, it’s October and you still haven’t gotten around to making a plan for your fundraising through December. Yeah. You’re screwed. No, just kidding. You can still make this work. But you need to start today. Why not just wing it? Just do what you always do, right? Who has time to think […]

Filed Under: Annual Giving, Blog, Planning, Thanks Tagged With: appeal writing, fundraising plans, year-end plan 2 Comments

Counting steps

Since mid-July, I’ve been counting steps. (The idea is to log 10,000 steps each day.) I started during vacation when we tend to walk a lot. Then I decided to keep going. I downloaded a little app to my phone and carry it with me. During the day, I can check in to see where I am […]

Filed Under: Blog, Caring for yourself, Planning Tagged With: end of year fundraising, fundraising plan, progress principle, small steps 1 Comment

So, Hands-On Fundraising is a thing…

Just a quick mid-week post to share with you that Hands-On Fundraising, LLC is formed and ready for business. I think this is where my long nonprofit career has been pointing. It’s time to share what I’ve learned over those years. Time to reach more organizations and help them do great work. Thank you for […]

Filed Under: Annual Giving, Blog, Donor communications, Fundraising, Planning Tagged With: appeal writing, donor retention, Fundraising, nonprofit consulting 2 Comments

Honestly? Why you can’t raise money

Honestly? Why you can’t raise money Is your smaller organization struggling? Wondering why you can’t get out of the just-squeaking-by-every-year rut? Meet two fundraising enemies: Thinking Small and its evil twin, Wishful Thinking. Thinking Small Thinking Small works its way in disguised as pragmatism. After all, if your organization is small, you have no choice, […]

Filed Under: Blog, Planning Tagged With: Fundraising, fundraising plans, nonprofit fundraising 6 Comments

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 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