If you’re a fundraiser, part of your calling is spreading gratitude. Does this sound like a familiar exchange? Thank you!” “No, thank YOU!” Saying thank you is an expected part of our social discourse. It smooths the way for simple – and more complex – conversations. Someone holds the door for you, and you say […]
Is gratitude really hurting our sector?
Is gratitude really hurting our sector? Too much gratitude? A few weeks ago, my friend Vu Le posted another of his thought-provoking pieces, Is there such a thing as too much gratitude? Yes, and it’s been harmful to our work. I want to be clear: I mean both friend and thought-provoking with zero snark. I […]
Who is your annual report working for, anyway?
Even in smaller organizations, an annual report has a way of taking up a lot of space. (Or time, but they’re the same thing, I’m told.) Day-to-day work halts. Reports are requested from all departments. Designers and writers are hired. An annual report is often seen as the one marketing piece worth investing in. After […]
Is your annual report a waste of a great opportunity?
It’s a serious question: what purpose does your annual report serve? What outcomes are you looking for? Too many organizations see an annual report as part requirement and part brochure. But if yours is meant to be a sales piece, is it selling? How do you know? And if reporting is a legal requirement, couldn’t […]
26 ways to show your donors they matter
How many different ways can you engage and thank your donors? One great thing about this time of year is that we are thinking about gratitude. Donors aren’t like mushrooms – if you ignore them, they WILL go away. There is no end to the ways you can create great experiences for your donors. Here […]