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Do your thank you letters need a little help?

I want you to raise more money. So I want you to fix your thank you letters. I understand why thank you letters might seem an afterthought. When I first started working in development, I felt comfortable around data and record-keeping. It felt neat and orderly. You plug the numbers in correctly, and you get […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications, Thanks Tagged With: Donors, Nonprofit, thank you letters, Writing 20 Comments

What does giving mean?

How do we define giving? In our own lives? With our friends and families? As fundraisers? Do our definitions differ? Tony Martignetti shared a fascinating, yet troubling, piece recently in Vox the other day. “What happened to giving money to charity?” looks at how the ultrawealthy are donating more, but it seems the rest of […]

Filed Under: Annual Giving, Fundraising Tagged With: Donors, Fundraising, giving 2 Comments

You are not your donor

Even if you are a donor to your organization, you see with different eyes. You’re not the donor you’re trying to reach. That’s always good to keep in mind. Because our opinions are shaped by so much that won’t affect how – or if – a donor decides to give. Here’s one example: My husband […]

Filed Under: Donor communications, Fundraising Tagged With: donor communications, Donors Leave a Comment

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 1 Comment

So you want to change the world

We all have our causes. Those of us who choose a nonprofit career usually do, at least in part, because we want to help make something better or more beautiful. We’re eager world-changers. And that’s a wonderful thing to be! Change? Here’s what might work… and what probably won’t You have a cause or two […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications Tagged With: communications, Donors, Fundraising 1 Comment

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