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The why and how of fundraising

If you’re writing that year-end appeal or anything that goes to your donors, you’ll be more successful if you understand the “why” and “how” of fundraising. At first, you’d say it’s pretty easy, right? How is the way to do something, why is the reason you do something. “Why” and “how” matter to your fundraising […]

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

Feel good or fear? How you can move donors to act

Knowing when fear and good feelings move donors to act is important. Here in the northern hemisphere, the sun is shining, the weather is warm… it’s summer. My favorite time of year. That means it’s time to start thinking about your year-end appeal. I know, it sounds nuts, right? But if you want the chance […]

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

Eff the ineffable

Or, how to make your ask concrete, if you work for an arts organization. Arts lovers know that art can’t always be constrained by words. I spent a good part of my career as a staff person in an arts organization. Theater was my route into the nonprofit world. But my love for all kinds […]

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

Lapsed donors: you don’t really want to say goodbye, do you?

Are you thinking about lapsed donors right now? We’ve been living through a few years of crisis, calamity, catastrophe… you name it. From Covid to conflict, it’s been a heck of a ride. This climate has been good to some organizations. Human services and international aid – these are needs that are ever-present in people’s […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donors Tagged With: appeal writing, donor relationships, lapsed donors Leave a Comment

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 6 Comments

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