It’s a serious question: what purpose does your annual report serve? What outcomes are you looking for? Too many organizations see an annual report as part requirement and part brochure. But if yours is meant to be a sales piece, is it selling? How do you know? And if reporting is a legal requirement, couldn’t […]
Donor relationships
How to create a donor communications calendar
This post has been updated. You can find the most recent version here. How can you create a donor communications calendar? A communications calendar is a combination of messaging and timing. You can create the most amazing appeal letter, but if it’s the only time your donors hear from you this year, you aren’t communicating […]
I don’t owe you: why I’m not giving back
“I don’t owe you.” That’s what I thought as I opened the envelope. Makes me sound awful, doesn’t it? But let me explain. When you ask people to “give back” by making a gift to your organization, you’re setting up a relationship based on obligation. And transaction. Think carefully about whether that’s really what you […]
How to reach donors with a personal touch
I’ve said it before. Good fundraising is always one-to-one. That’s true even if you’re communicating with thousands. It should always feel one-to-one. That should always be your aim, even if it takes a little more effort. But when is the last time you really made a personal effort? OK, my major gifts readers… I know […]
Somebody will never save your organization
Somebody will never save your organization. This is a case for personal fundraising Somebody rarely volunteers. Somebody is easy to ask. Somebody is distant, polite, impersonal… safe. And Somebody never gives. Your organization has a mission – a problem to be solved. The solution almost always requires money. To raise that money, you turn to […]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- Next Page »