I recently had the opportunity to interview Mallory Erickson, founder of Practivated. Practivated is an AI-guided platform designed to help fundraisers practice speaking with donors, thereby strengthening donor connections through confident, authentic conversations. The Need for a Platform Like Practivated AE: Why did you create … [Read more...]
A Year-End Giving Checklist: How to Maximize Your Fundraising Success
The final months of the year are the most important fundraising period for many nonprofits. With donors eager to make meaningful contributions before December 31st, now is the time to be intentional, strategic, and proactive. A 6-Part Year-End Giving Checklist This year-end giving checklist will help you focus on what you should be doing … [Read more...]
How Many Major Gift Asks Should You Be Making Each Year?
Fifteen years ago, I published my first book, 50 Asks in 50 Weeks. Seven years later, I released Major Gift Fundraising for Small Shops. That means I’ve been writing and speaking about major gifts fundraising and the art of asking for a solid 15 years. Last week, I received a great question: How many asks should fundraisers be making … [Read more...]
The Art of Storytelling for Nonprofit Fundraisers: A 3-Act Structure
If you want donors to give — and give generously — you need to do more than present facts and figures. You need to tell stories. A compelling story draws people in, makes them care, and moves them to act. One of the most timeless and effective ways to tell a story is using the 3-act structure: Exposition Conflict Resolution I … [Read more...]
Easy Does it: Solicit a Major Gift by Unlocking Your Inner Child
As children, we have no trouble asking for things we want. When we're small, we ask for toys, games, and candy. And while we hear “no” frequently as children, it doesn’t seem to deter us from asking again, and again, and again. Yet, somehow by the time we reach adulthood, “no” seems harder to swallow and our instinct to ask for what we want … [Read more...]
5 Reasons NOW is a Great Time to Ask for Major Gifts (or Start a Capital Campaign)
If there are leaders at your organization saying it’s not a good time to raise money, today’s post is for you (feel free to pass it along to them). Past is Prologue During the pandemic, many people though it was a bad time to raise money. With so much uncertainty in the world. Today feels very uncertain too. But that doesn’t mean you … [Read more...]
The Importance of Taking Calculated Risks in Fundraising
Fundraising is not for the faint of heart. It takes courage, persistence, and a willingness to step outside your comfort zone. But more than anything, it requires taking calculated risks—especially when it comes to asking for major gifts. Too often, nonprofit fundraisers and leaders shy away from big asks. They're worried they’ll hear “no” … [Read more...]
In 2025, Major Gift Fundraising is More Important than Ever
A recent New York Times article was titled, “White House Budget Office Orders Pause in All Federal Loans and Grants,” and it took my breath away. If this “pause” holds for several days, the implications for the nonprofit sector are vast, to say the least. Diversify Your Funding and Seek Major Gifts I don’t believe private citizens can … [Read more...]
You Have Everything You Need to Raise Major Gifts — Tap It!
Almost 10 years ago, I challenged development directors to get “rich and famous” in a blog post that has over 350 comments on it. (For comparison, my average post gets maybe two comments.) Rich in terms of donations to their organizations. Famous, as in a “rock star” among their board members and colleagues. In other words, the best, … [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, I hope you’ve gotten your #GivingTuesday plans in order. First, Consider Your #GivingTuesday Emails If you are planning to participate, … [Read more...]
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