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Are donors the problem with fundraising?

Are donors really 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

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

8 reasons fundraising events suck. (And why they don’t.)

Fundraising events don't have to suck

I haven’t written much about fundraising events. That’s because they’ve usually felt necessary, but not particularly interesting. Let’s be honest: rare are the people who look forward to planning and throwing a gala. Rare are the people energized by finding sponsors. Rare are the people who are great at working with crowds of volunteers. (Rarer […]

Filed Under: Blog, Fundraising events Tagged With: Donors, events, gala 3 Comments

The one thing you need to know about fundraising

One thing to remember about fundraising

It’s not about you I’m embarrassed to say it took me years to realize this. I – like you, maybe – was filled with enthusiasm for my organization. That’s good. It’s really hard to do good work when you don’t feel that way. But I let it color my fundraising perspective. This lesson can come […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donors Tagged With: donor focus, Donors, nonprofit mission Leave a Comment

Mom tested, donor approved: when to use your inside voice

Make donors insiders

  My youngest just turned sixteen. So I found myself looking through old pictures, remembering a chubby little guy who is now neither. My visit to old times reminded me of inside voices. When each of my kids was little, I tried to explain the difference between inside and outside voices. Outside voices could be […]

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

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