Hands-On Fundraising

Donor Communications

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

The inspiration you crave, and how to get it

Sometimes, inspiration happens – out of the blue. This past Sunday we celebrated Epiphany in my church. A friend gave the sermon. She spoke about epiphanies of the religious sort, but also about the epiphanies we experience in our lives – moments of sudden insight or understanding. As I listened, I thought about how much […]

Filed Under: Blog, Caring for yourself, Donor communications Tagged With: creativity, epiphany, Fundraising, inspiration

Are donors tired – or just tired of you?

Your donors are tired… Were they for real? I was at a meeting with a number of organizations the other day, along with some fundraising consultants. During the course of the meeting, I was surprised to hear the respected counsel suggesting that the organizations cut back on their communications and solicitations with their donors. Why? […]

Filed Under: Annual Giving, Blog, Donor communications Tagged With: appeal writing, communication, donor fatigue, donor retention, Donors, Fundraising

I’m no hero and neither are you

I’m no hero, but I’m trying to do it all right now. I bet you know what I mean. Year-end is especially busy for those of us who raise money for nonprofits. It’s the high holy season of giving, and if we’re not ever present in our donors’ consciousness, we risk losing support. If we […]

Filed Under: Blog, Caring for yourself, Donors Tagged With: Donors, Fundraising, help, individual giving, Nonprofit, Nonprofit organization

Why no, I’m not going to mind my own business

Fundraising IS a nonprofit’s business I keep reading that the practice of medicine has changed radically. Family doctors are getting hard to find. It seems we live in an age of specialists. As the development director, it’s natural to assume your job is to be the organization’s fundraising specialist – the person with a particular […]

Filed Under: Blog, Planning Tagged With: Boards, Fundraising, organizational structure

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

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 12
  • 13
  • 14
  • 15
  • 16
  • 17
  • 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