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Keep it human to succeed

Fundraising is all about being human. Tremendous events are happening every day, all around us. But living in a time like this offers us the chance to learn. And as I try to absorb the daily news – new, impossibly high Covid counts, new, impossibly awful political news – I realize that a learning opportunity […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications Tagged With: donor communications, emotion, identifiable victim effect 4 Comments

Do I have to care today?

Do I really have to care today? A personal note: I wrote this before Dallas. Before Alton Sterling. Before Philando Castile. Before Orlando, Dhaka, Istanbul, Iraq and so much more. I was responding to personal stuff – the loss of my mom, and frustrations with work. It’s hard right now when it feels like the […]

Filed Under: Blog, Caring for yourself Tagged With: emotion, empathy, self-care 5 Comments

Don’t break my heart.

Don’t break my heart. Remember that fundraising is always personal. You might think I’m writing about the one that got away. The donor we courted and counted on. And then disappeared. We’ve all been there, right? It’s frustrating… sometimes, it breaks your heart. But today I’m writing as a donor. And about communications that reduce […]

Filed Under: Annual Giving, Blog, Donor communications, Thanks Tagged With: appeal writing, communication, donor retention, Donors, emotion, Fundraising, thank you letters 1 Comment

Are you assimilated?

Anyone of a certain age or entertainment preference will recognize the Borg. For the rest of you, let me explain a little. In Star Trek, the Borg is one of the most dangerous foes our heroes have to deal with. To quote Wikipedia’s entry: The Borg are a collection of species that have been turned into cybernetic organisms functioning […]

Filed Under: Annual Giving, Blog, Donor communications Tagged With: appeal writing, Borg, Donors, emotion, Fundraising 5 Comments

Antoinette Tuff is my hero

I’ll buzz them in so you’ll know when they are coming, okay? Okay, so just stay there calm. Don’t worry about it. I’m gonna sit right here so they see that you didn’t try to harm me, okay. It’s gonna be all right sweetie. I just want you to know that I love you. I’m […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donors Tagged With: emotion, hero, love Leave a Comment

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  • Human. Connection.
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