From time to time, I like to share a different voice, perspective, and expertise on my blog. Having a strong digital presence is such an critical part of modern fundraising, so I turned to my colleague, Lou Kotsinis, Co-founder and CEO of BCS Interactive, for some words of wisdom. Lou is a digital marketing expert for causes and … [Read more...]
Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining: 10 Inspirational Fundraising Clichés
It all started when I recently read the famous quote: Resentment is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. The quote is attributed to several people. I’m not sure why it struck a chord with me, but I immediately thought -- that applies to fundraisers. It reminded me of a fundraiser named Nancy. I was speaking to … [Read more...]
Year-End Inspiration Grab Bag for Major Gift Fundraisers
One of my many Covid-era projects included cleaning out my office. In the process, I’ve come across lots of notebooks and post-its -- little nuggets of inspiration and wisdom -- from the past decade. In an effort to help you start off the New Year on a high note, I thought I'd share some of my favorites with you. So grab a sharpie and jot a … [Read more...]
6 Tips to Raise More Year-End Money in Just 4 Weeks
New Year’s Eve is just a few short weeks away, but you still have time to raise more money for your nonprofit this year. More donations are given to charity at this time of year than any other time, so it’s not time to rest yet. As a development professional, your chance for vacation will come after the New Year, not during the “busy … [Read more...]
Ditch Black Friday and Cyber Monday for #GivingTuesday
I have an interesting thought experiment for you… Imagine a world in which Time Square is plastered with the logos of nonprofit organizations as opposed to corporate brands. Where the ads between your favorite programs promote causes rather than products. Where the holiday season is a time to give to charities instead of buying the latest … [Read more...]
#ThanksForGiving: Expressing Gratitude to Donors and Volunteers at the Holidays
Thanksgiving is nearly upon us, which serves as a reminder to be especially thankful at this time of year. But sometimes it’s hard to be thankful when it seems like there’s not much to be grateful for. Maybe you didn’t raise as much as you hoped. Perhaps you have a sick family member, or you’re sick yourself. Maybe you’ve suffered a loss … [Read more...]
When to Take Risks: Is Your Nonprofit Penny-Wise and Pound-Foolish?
Is your nonprofit penny-wise and pound-foolish? What's your organization's risk tolerance, and when is it a good idea to take risks? This big-picture post provides the answers to those questions. Risk Aversion (i.e., The Path Untraveled) No doubt, you’ve heard the expression: It takes money to make money. But what does that even … [Read more...]
To Nonprofit Leaders and Donors: Focus on Impact, Not Fees
As fundraisers, we wish donors would focus on the IMPACT of our work -- not the operating costs. And yet, sometimes, as nonprofit leaders, we’re focused on the wrong things too. Focus on Impact, Not Fees: A Personal Example Recently, I was contacted about consulting by a development director named Sam. Sam had already interviewed several … [Read more...]
3 Critically Important Ways of Measuring Fundraising Success
The most obvious way of measuring fundraising success is dollars raised. However, when your boss and board only focus on dollars raised, they miss a huge piece of the picture -- and that can have serious consequences. Let’s take the example of a new Development Director named Sasha. Sasha's Story: Is She Doing a Great Job? In her first … [Read more...]
16 Tools and Apps for the (non)Tech-Savvy Fundraiser
Like it or not, technology is here to stay. What's more, it's changing at an ever-increasing pace. Sure, technology can be detrimental to your productivity and personal life. But when used well, it can enhance your life and make your work as a fundraiser easier and more efficient. Technology As a Time-Saver Are you the type of person … [Read more...]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- …
- 26
- Next Page »
