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Your last-minute year-end appeal checklist

Ah… your year-end fundraising appeal isn’t out yet. And maybe, just maybe, life got in the way, too. I’m trying not to panic about Christmas shopping myself. But if you haven’t sent your year-end appeal yet, maybe this will help. And if you have already mailed something, maybe this will help with those late December […]

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

Please stop killing your fundraising to please the boss.

I’ve been writing fundraising copy for a long time. And from the very start, I faced one problem over and over and over again. No. Though those pop up all the time. What has consistently gotten in the way is interference from people who aren’t focused on fundraising. It might be the boss. Or the […]

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

Your donors don’t care about your fundraising goals

Your donors really don’t care about your fundraising goals. But they care – a lot – about your mission. Fundraising goals are important – inside. But donors care about your mission. If you’re fundraising, you already know that. But is that reflected in how you ask for gifts? Time and again, I see it: internal […]

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

Get behind me, Satan!

Maybe you’re putting the finishing touches on your year-end appeal. Or maybe you’re already thinking about the next one. (Go you!) In either case, there are temptations – usually suggested by someone who doesn’t understand fundraising – that you will need to resist. If you want the appeal to succeed, that is. Temptation one: Keep […]

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

Too many cooks spoil the chili – or your next appeal

Or why too many cooks who don’t know what’s already in the pot can make a mess. Years ago, my family was gathered at my parent’s home to celebrate Christmas. By then, we were a big crowd – I have three siblings, and each of us has two children. So my mom planned to make eating […]

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

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