December has changed for most non-profits, we have just experienced the biggest decline for a December in more than a decade. Volatile stock markets at year end; combined with expensive, divisive political campaigns and new tax implications from one year to the next are forcing most non-profits to rethink the...
Six Fundraising Steps for Planning Your New Year
Remember, donors do not give to case statements… they give to people. More specifically, they give to people who are listening to them and are able to identify needs that touch the donor’s heart
The Most Wonderful Time of Year
Holiday Times are Critical to Development I know many fundraising professionals in the development industry that literally take the last six to eight weeks of the year off. They move into autopilot mode. They get off the road and nestle snug in the offices (and beds), with visions of sugar-plums...
Footprint Donors…
I traveled to a major city recently and met with a man who had given $25 million to charity over the last decade. The amazing thing was that he is in his 80's and still working everyday. As a matter of fact, he travels to China every month to oversee...
Do You Have A Heart For DONORS?
I sat with another precious family today. I’ve met with more than 100 supporters over the last 12 months. I asked them if they knew how many consecutive years they'd been giving. They shook their heads no. I told them "27 years... thank you. You are so special to us!"...
10 MUST DO RULES TO THANK YOUR DONORS
The amount and timing of your next gift is directly connected to the way you say "Thank You." Rule #1: Thank Donors Faster. You can never thank a donor too much or too fast! I’ve encouraged charities to stop batching thank you receipts for the postal discount. They are always...
Year End Fundraising Begins NOW…
One half of all donations received by charity in America occur in the 4th quarter (now the real stats... ) and one half of those gifts are received in the month of December and one half of those gifts occur the last week of December and one half of those...
“You Are Fired!” – Now that is Leadership
Beware of the major gift guru who says he has the secret black book with the list of his major donor friends who will fund your charity.
Does Your “Ice Bucket” Leak?
Today, social media is producing primarily "One-And-done" new donors. While this kind of funding helps, it is very risky to build a future on.
A Few Reasons Why Small Charities Stay Small….
Bottom line, there is a cost to acquire a new donor and, as importantly every new donor has lifetime donor value to the charity. Charities must be willing to invest in growth.