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How to leave your job

Door knob

I resigned my position a couple of weeks ago. It was a difficult decision, but for a host of reasons both personal and professional, it was also the right decision. Before I actually resigned, I did a great deal of thinking and reading. How to do this in the best possible way? So in case […]

Filed Under: Blog, Caring for yourself, Nonprofits Tagged With: communication, consulting, how to resign, Letter of resignation, planning, professional behavior 8 Comments

Are donors tired – or just tired of you?

Were they for real? I was at a meeting with a number of organizations the other day, along with some fundraising consultants. During the course of the meeting, I was surprised to hear the respected counsel suggesting that the organizations cut back on their communications and solicitations with their donors. Why? Well, donor fatigue. I […]

Filed Under: Annual Giving, Blog, Donor communications Tagged With: appeal writing, communication, donor fatigue, donor retention, Donors, Fundraising 3 Comments

Don’t break my heart.

Treat your donors well

You might think I’m writing about the one that got away. The donor we courted and counted on. And then disappeared. We’ve all been there, right? Well, not today. Today I’m writing as a donor. And about communications that reduce me to a number on a list. That don’t see me as ME, but as […]

Filed Under: Annual Giving, Blog, Donor communications, Thanks Tagged With: appeal writing, communication, donor retention, Donors, emotion, Fundraising, thank you letters 1 Comment

I see you

Do you know your donor?

That’s what we all really want, isn’t it? To be seen. To be known for ourselves, as people. To be recognized. That’s what our donors are looking for as well. So why is so much communication impersonal and generic? The lazy answer is because it’s easier that way. Large organizations might think: there’s no way […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications Tagged With: appeal writing, communication, Donors, Fundraising, Letter Writing, Nonprofit, relationships 7 Comments

Trademarked

dear friend letter salutation

I received a solicitation in the mail the other day. I bet you’ve also gotten this one – or one like it. It comes with many colorful address labels. And a nickel! What really made me laugh this time, though, was the salutation. They obviously knew my name, because it was all over the address labels. […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications Tagged With: appeal writing, communication, copy, direct mail, Donors, Fundraising, solicitation Leave a Comment

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