The other day, a client asked if the major gifts she raises should count toward her annual fund goal. At first, I was confused by her question. But it reinforced one of the more common misconceptions about raising major gifts. Common Misconceptions About Raising Major Gifts It turns out that the woman who wondered whether major gifts … [Read more...]
How to Best Engage Mid-Value Donors: Interview with Kimberly Blease
Interested in growing your mid-level donor income? Watch this interview with Kimberly Blease, VP of Client Relationships at Blakely, to learn how to best communicate with mid-level donors so they feel more involved and engaged. The full interview transcript (with minor edits for clarity) appears below. Mid-Value Donors … [Read more...]
Find Hidden Gems in Your Donor Database: Interview with Steven Shattuck
Who's hiding in your donor database? In this video interview with Steven Shattuck, Bloomerang's Chief Engagement Officer, you'll discover how to find all those hidden gems in your donor database. Here's what to look for... The full interview transcript (with minor edits for clarity) appears below. Finding Diamond-in-the-Rough … [Read more...]
5 Things You Can Do NOW to Prepare for Year-End Giving
The time for year-end giving (i.e., fall fundraising) seems to come faster and faster each year. Back to school shopping ends and Halloween decorations line the aisles of your favorite stores. If you wait until Halloween rolls around, you'll have waited too long. So, carpe diam -- seize the day! The reason it’s so important to prepare … [Read more...]
How to Solve Your Donor Retention Problem: Interview with Claire Axelrad
Claire Axelrad is fundraising coach, blogger and creator of Clairification -- her own mini online fundraising school. In this interview, Claire explains how you can increase donor retention at your nonprofit. This video is sponsored by Bloomerang. Help yourself to free fundraising resources including educational webinars, … [Read more...]
Fundraising Final Countdown to Year-End
Year-end is a frantic time for fundraising professionals. Nonprofit organizations often raise 20, 30 or even 40 percent of their total fundraising revenue in the last few weeks of the year. Year End Fundraising Checklist It’s likely you are super-busy tallying year-end donations, thanking donors, sending holiday cards, and more. In an … [Read more...]
2 Surprising Ways You’re WRONG When You Set Your Fundraising Goals
Ever had a fundraising goal “handed” to you out of the blue? I bet you have, and you’re not alone. But that doesn’t make it right. I’m sick of development directors being expected to perform miracles. And, that’s generally what’s happening when their fundraising goal is created without their input. When that happens, I know their … [Read more...]
5 Critical Steps to Raise Major Gifts in Time for Year-End Fundraising
Are you concerned about year-end giving? If so, you're not alone. Regardless of your fiscal year, the calendar year plays a huge role in fundraising, especially in the USA. Most organizations receive between 25% and 50% of their total dollars raised for the year in November and December. Some organizations raise more than 10% of their … [Read more...]
Wish You Had New Donors? Ask the Ones You Have Instead!
Whenever someone signs up to receive my emails, they're encouraged to share their biggest fundraising challenge. Here’s one such challenge recently shared with me that many organizations face: The biggest challenge we are facing at the moment is with landing larger donations ($1,000-$5,000+), both in terms of attracting new, higher level … [Read more...]
7 Questions to Determine Whether #GivingTuesday Works for You
Although only four years old, #GivingTuesday has taken off. If you don’t know what it is (and you're living under a rock), you can learn more about it on the official site at www.givingtuesday.org. Much like “Black Friday” and “Cyber Monday,” #GivingTuesday has now become mainstream. Started by the 92nd Street Y, it’s a brilliant campaign … [Read more...]