Hands-On Fundraising

Donor Communications

  • About
  • Hands-On Fundraising Blog
  • Services
  • Contact

Donor relationships

Are donors the problem with fundraising?

Are donors really the problem with fundraising? There is a concept being talked about in some fundraising circles – “donor dominance”. The idea is that some donors behave badly (true enough) and because of that, all donors must be… I’m not really sure. Educated? Chastised? Maybe just taught to understand that while we welcome their […]

Filed Under: Annual Giving, Blog, Fundraising Tagged With: donor relationships, Donors, individual giving

4 excuses for not creating a donor newsletter

You don’t have a donor newsletter? Why not? Starting a new project can be scary, I know. It’s one more thing on the to-do list. But effective donor communications, including a donor newsletter, mean better and longer donor relationships. And that means more funding. So here are some excuses – and of course, the arguments […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications Tagged With: donor newsletter, donor relationships

How Changing your Mindset Will Help You Attract New Donors

Do you want to attract new donors? When it comes to fundraising, investing in your relationship with current donors is the most important (and effective) thing to do. Just as in business, it costs five times more to acquire a new customer than to retain one. Yet every year, every nonprofit loses donors, and if […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications, Marketing Communications Tagged With: donor relationships, Marketing Posts

After the ask: why donor engagement matters

Donor engagement is critical. How are you doing? You’ve probably seen donor retention numbers over the last several years. Over the last five years, donor retention rates have been between 44% and 46%. That’s not good. And acquiring new donors has only gotten harder and more expensive. (But don’t stop trying!) So, what are you […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications, Fundraising Tagged With: donor journey, donor relationships, donor retention

The important ways you say something without words

What are you saying to donors without words? My friend Clay wrote a terrific piece about the importance of data in your fundraising program. You can – and should – read it here. (Don’t worry, I’ll wait.) Clay makes an important argument for not overlooking the “little” things. Hand data entry over to a novice, […]

Filed Under: Blog, Data, Fundraising Tagged With: data entry, donor care, donor relationships

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • …
  • 13
  • Next Page »

Fundraising advice served fresh to your inbox

Get yours here:

Search

Recent Posts

  • Build Major Donor Relationships: 5 Tips for Fundraisers
  • How to win donors by writing from your heart
  • Arts Fundraising: Engage and Inspire Your Donors
  • How you can use the Benjamin Franklin effect
  • 13 Quick tips for your next fundraising appeal

Work with me!

Let's talk about how I can help your organization raise more money.

Contact

  • Donor communications
  • Fundraising Strategy

Copyright © 2026 · Mary Cahalane · Hands-On Fundraising · 847 S. Main Street · #183 · Plantsville, CT 06479