"GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world on December 1, 2020, and every day. It was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past seven years, this idea has grown into a … Continue reading #GivingTuesday
Relationships
Continuity of Care
Donors last longer than staff. How do you create value and keep donors engaged during the endless revolving door of staff changes?
Disrupt Your Innovation
Disrupt. Innovate. Think bigger, think differently! All valuable advice. In fact, innovation is often listed as one of the most important focal points for any company. It encourages growth, creates value for employees and customers and brings much-needed advancements to the field. Arguably, any of the greatest achievements in history have occurred because someone, somewhere … Continue reading Disrupt Your Innovation
On Gratitude and Culture
I love this question from Tim Sarrantonio at Neon. Do we think enough about what gratitude is, what it means and how we truly express gratitude to our donors? Sure, we talk about donor retention rate and the crisis it is in our sector, but do we really, truly express gratitude? Or are we implementing … Continue reading On Gratitude and Culture
The Absolutely Foolproof Five-Step Fundraising Plan
Everything anyone needs to know about fundraising can be summed up in a five-step process. Find prospects who are concerned about The Problem your mission exists to solve. Connect with them. Ask them to solve The Problem with their financial support. Thank them - profusely - for doing so. Report back to them - tell … Continue reading The Absolutely Foolproof Five-Step Fundraising Plan
Advice to a Young Fundraiser on His 23rd Birthday
The older I get the more grateful I am for the mentors I had when I started fundraising. More and more, I find myself remembering their advice and understanding why we did things the way they did, lo, these many decades ago. Those of us that have been doing this for awhile (remember 3 x … Continue reading Advice to a Young Fundraiser on His 23rd Birthday
Fundraising or Money-Raising?
Clerk: Your total is $blahblahblah, would you like to add a dollar to support children puppies hungry old homeless high-school band? Me: Uhhh, no, not today. Clerk: Yeah, cheers, thanks, thanks a lot. *sigh* I know these kinds of programs raise a lot of critically-needed money for a lot of great organizations - and the … Continue reading Fundraising or Money-Raising?
Rant on Retention
I like to think that professionals in all fields get together and rant and complain about their profession. I have to believe that there are forums for pipe fitters and physician's assistants and marketers to get together and go, "They're hiring people with no experience as experts! Nobody takes the profession seriously! These CEOs think … Continue reading Rant on Retention
What I Won’t Do Is Subscribe to Fear
My whole social media feed is FULL of comments about how awful 2016 has been. It seems everyone is ready to kick this year to the curb and usher in a new one - "It can't get worse, right?" Personally, I've had a fantastic year - probably one of the best on a personal and … Continue reading What I Won’t Do Is Subscribe to Fear
Why Candace, the Chewbacca Mask woman, is the best fundraiser in the world
A week or so ago I posted the blog below - Candace Payne, "Chewbacca Mom," the best fundraiser in the world. Now watch this: https://www.facebook.com/candaceSpayne/videos/vb.1245618915/10209693622437749/?type=2&theater "It is not lost on me that it is because of you guys. I love you." She is NAILING this thing! She just pours joy and gratitude into each post … Continue reading Why Candace, the Chewbacca Mask woman, is the best fundraiser in the world
Annual Fund Lab 