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How to unearth the stories you need

I’m convinced we’re made of stories And if that sounds a little goofy, then I’m guilty. But I’m sticking to it. The stories we tell ourselves about our lives and loves. The stories we hear from other people that shed light on who they are. And the stories that we read… whether in a great […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications Tagged With: appeal writing, donor communications, stories Leave a Comment

How to prevent a fundraising crime

It’s usually an inside job. There you are, minding your own business. Getting the job done. You know the work inside and out. Sure, there are days… and nights, when all you want is a stiff drink and a chance to relax. But there are needs to be met. People to be fed. Or housed. […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications Tagged With: appeal writing, donor communications 1 Comment

Why your brain loves stories

I was in high school. It was the highly-anticipated movie event of a lifetime. None of the theaters nearby were showing it – yet. But my friends and I were determined. We located a theater 40 minutes away. But there was a problem: how would we get there? My parents couldn’t give me the car […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications Tagged With: appeal writing, donor communications, donor relationships 3 Comments

Improve your fundraising letters fast

You can improve your fundraising letter today Here’s what I know about writing good fundraising letters: You can practice and study for years. And still, you feel like you’re only scratching the surface. There’s always something new because we’re always learning something new. So perfection will always be out of reach. But don’t let the […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications Tagged With: appeal writing, direct mail, Fundraising 14 Comments

Why “because” matters to your ask

Because is a word kids come to dread. I remember being a kid and getting a very unsatisfying answer to some questions. My questions were usually “Why?” or more often “Why not?” And the unsatisfying answer was “Because” or worse, “Because I said so.” Does that sound familiar to you? It was infuriating, of course. […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications, Fundraising Tagged With: appeal writing, donor communications, Fundraising Leave a Comment

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