development professionals have to take precautions to ensure that your activitity is not just about the numbers… The real question is whether or not they are listening to the needs of their supporters.
fundraising
Are you preparing your Christmas “check list” in August?
In the month of December, one thing is for sure… if your donor knows that “you a making a list and checking it twice and that you’ll find out soon who’s naughty or nice” they are going to make sure that there is a gift under the tree at your charitable organization. Merry Christmas!
Your Fundraising Program Should Begin AT THE END
The first question every development professional must ask is how many donors who gave last year have not given this year? In other words, how many supporters have lapsed?
Are YOU Business Partners With Your Major Donor?
great major gift fundraisers understand that those writing the checks are ultimately their business partners.
Do Your Supporters Have a WISH LIST?
Most charities spend a lot of time telling their major donors and supporters about their "wish lists". The things their charity wants to do if donors would just write them a check. However, the secret to securing more major gifts is NOT telling your supporters your...
Get Your Charity a Ladder… Please!
Donors move up the ladder from one year to the next as you ask for more and demonstrate that you have been a good steward with their previous gifts.
What Do Major Donors Really Want?
“I don’t give money away. I make investments. Before providing support to anyone I measure impact, I want to see how many lives my investment will touch. I will often compare the impact of the amount I am ask for with what kind of impact I am having somewhere else.”
The Ask… Is it your “spot on the wall”?
Of the 2.1 million charities doing business in the United States, most enter the new year without an ask strategy. We don’t take the time to develop our 7-figure, 6-figure and 5-figure asks. We don’t have a case for support. We don’t even have a needs list. We get sloppy with our research and do not determine our supporters “donative intent” and giving capacity.
Five Qualities of a Highly Effective Major Gift Officer
As I boarded a plane a few years ago from Los Angeles, I was going through my routine… stowing my lap top under the seat in front of me, neatly folding my jacket in the overhead bin, and most importantly, putting on my headset and dialing in my Ipod with my favorite...
Are You Building Trust With Your Major Donors?
If you want to see your donors step up and start making major investments in your charity or non-proft, then start treating them like you would a business partner or major investor. Meet with them, talk with them, but most importantly listen to them.