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The big question your donors want you to answer: WHY

WHY? Why should I give you money? Why should I care about your work? Why will this matter to someone? Too often, we focus on HOW We love to talk about how we do the work. All the cool ways we accomplish great things. A new process. A unique way of tackling a problem. All […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications, Donors Tagged With: donor communications, what donors want 1 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

If you make people cry are you a bully?

Are emotions manipulative? What about images? Is it bad if people cry? When we nonprofits tell a story that shares the needs of a beneficiary, we don’t create the tension that the donor feels. The story just reveals the internal tension the donor holds between how the world is and how they believe the world […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications, Fundraising Tagged With: donor communications, emotional fundraising Leave a Comment

It’s year-end fundraising time. But you’ll be OK!

My friends, it’s crunch time. Year-end fundraising is here. Somehow, without asking permission, the calendar has flipped to October. And if you’re a fundraiser, you know what that means, right? Year-end fundraising. Time to take a deep breath, center yourself, and get ready for year-end fundraising! Why is year-end so important? Here are some stats […]

Filed Under: Annual Giving, Blog, Fundraising Tagged With: donor communications, fundraising planning, year-end fundraising Leave a Comment

Why you’re not raising more money

Are you struggling to raise enough money? Of course, the reasons are as varied as organizations. But there are still a few things to think about that are often causing your problem. You’re not clear about your mission Can you communicate your WHY easily and in simple language? And can you explain it in a […]

Filed Under: Annual Giving, Blog, Fundraising Tagged With: donor care, donor communications, Fundraising Leave a Comment

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