Every year, I invest in at least one new service, program, or technology to make my life easier or more effective (preferably both). Last week, I asked everyone who receives my weekly newsletter for suggestions about your favorites. Top Recommended Tools and Services for 2021 Keep in mind -- most of these are not personal endorsements. I … [Read more...]
5 Alternatives to Help Your Nonprofit on #GivingTuesday
Unless you’re living under a rock (or very new to fundraising), it’s likely you’re aware of #GivingTuesday (the Tuesday after Thanksgiving). It’s a play on #BlackFriday and #CyberMonday. By this point, less than one week out, I assume you’ve gotten your #GivingTuesday plans in order. And I hope you’ve thought about how you’ll stand out … [Read more...]
The Easiest Thing You Can Do Every Day to Raise More Money
What's the easiest thing you can do every day to raise more money? Pick up the phone and call a donor. That’s it. Just one phone call. Every. Single. Day. It’s the easiest way to raise more money, and yet, so few fundraisers actually do it. It’s even okay to leave a message -- something you'll probably end up doing most of the … [Read more...]
4 Steps to Replace Special Event Fundraising with Virtual Giving
One of the things fundraisers complain most about is fundraising events -- because such events take up so much time and energy. They also put a strain on donors and volunteers. Who really wants to attend another rubber chicken dinner anyway? An Opportunity to Replace Special Event Fundraising These unprecedented times provide your big … [Read more...]
5 Summer Actions to Bolster Your Fall Fundraising During Coronavirus
Normally, summer is a time for fun, relaxation, BBQ’s, family, friends and more. This summer (2020) is going to be different for everyone with the Coronavirus lurking about. Travel is limited, kids are home from camp, and big gatherings are taboo. 5 Actions to Bolster Fall Fundraising While Coronavirus Looms As far is fundraising is … [Read more...]
8 Steps for Successful Fundraising During the Coronavirus Crisis
Coronavirus is spreading. The economy is declining. And there's continued political turmoil. Any one of these three issues could be viewed as a recipe for disaster in terms of your fundraising. And here we are... experiencing all three at once. Your donors are anxious. Your board members are freaking out. It’s up to you to lead the … [Read more...]
Your Best Nonprofit Donors are Hiding in Plain Sight: 10 Ways to Find Them
As a nonprofit fundraiser, you’re likely under a fair amount of constant pressure to find new donors and raise more money. But a more reliable path to success is to identify donors who are already in your current donor pool and moving them up to become bigger donors than they are right now. Best of all, these donors are right in front of … [Read more...]
Want to Raise More Money when Fundraising? Go on a Listening Tour
Recently I was on a coaching call with a new client who doesn’t have experience raising major gifts. We discussed his plans for raising money from individual donors before year end. His idea was to call as many businesses as possible to “get meetings,” then tell them about all the amazing work his organization was doing, and then ask for a … [Read more...]
Would Your Nonprofit Pass a Fundraising Audit? 5 Critical Rules
There are some basic and universal fundraising principles that should be followed by every nonprofit organization. Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, these “rules” of fundraising are frequently broken. Sometimes fundraising best practices are not followed due to lack of staff and resources. Other times it’s simply a lack of … [Read more...]
Christmas in July: 6 Ways to Prepare for Year-End Giving
You may think it’s too early to start thinking about Christmas, but that’s exactly what I want you to do. Yes, think about year-end giving starting right now... in July. Once September rolls around, it's already too late. 6 Early Ways to Prepare for Year-End Giving There are many things you can do NOW to increase your year-end results, so … [Read more...]