Hands-On Fundraising Blog ⋆ Advice and insights for you

Writing, simply

I was helping a client with an appeal the other day. I found myself explaining some of the choices I made in the letter. At this point, they were almost automatic for me. I realized not everyone knows there are some simple changes you can make that will improve your appeal. When I get a rough draft, […]

Use these powerful triggers to raise more money. (Though your colleagues might worry.)

These powerful triggers can raise more money. I hadn’t joined a cult. I just wanted to remember these important triggers. Last week, I wrote about the importance of emotion in your fundraising. It reminded me of the emotional triggers that raise more money. And that more than once have led to raised eyebrows. You see, […]

Trade Secrets

Do we have – or want – trade secrets in fundraising?

Is the pie limited? Are we really in fierce competition with every other nonprofit for scarce donor dollars? Or could we all learn more from each other – and translate that into better communicating our specific missions?

Are you making these fundraising mistakes?

Are you making these mistakes? As a consultant, I work with some smaller nonprofits. To begin, I try to get a sense of how they’re fundraising now. I see similar problems across different organizations. But here’s the surprising thing − I see these same problems in my mailbox every day, from national and international charities. So these aren’t […]

Are you faking it?

Do you ever feel like you’re faking it? Every day I’m fortunate to interact with talented people from all over the world. (Thank you, interwebz). One common thread too many of us share: a sense that perhaps we’re not quite good enough. Self-deprecation can oil social connections – but it also costs each of us […]

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