Happy Groundhog Day! It’s become my Groundhog Day tradition to repost my 2008 post: Fundraising Secret #11: Don’t Be A Ned. Enjoy! (And don’t be a Ned!) Fundraising Secret #11: Don’t be a Ned Click on the image to watch the clip. Does this sound like your fundraising efforts? Ned: Phil? Phil Connors? Phil Connors, [...]

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The first month of the year is gone! Now is a great time to review your goals. (I have blogged about goal setting here.) As you review your goals, you may find your behind on some. Creating a road map will help jump start those goals. To create a goals road map follow this simple [...]

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[Warning: Rant in progress] In my book Ask Without Fear!, I encourage fundraisers to PYITS–put yourself in their shoes. Thinking like the donor or prospect can save you lots of embarrassment in the process of asking for money. But never forget: you are not your perfect donor Your major gift donor prospects are not on [...]

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In the United States we’re honoring the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. I’m sure many people will be posting about the “I have a dream” speech. I get so inspired reading his speech. We in the nonprofit world sure know about dreams! We see the world both as it is and as it can [...]

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Whether you love or hate New Year Resolutions, millions of people use January 1 to start new habits. As a result, I’ve been asked by several bloggers and magazines what New Year resolution I would suggest people make. My answer for nonprofit folks? Ask more. If you could do only one thing this year As [...]

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People love deadlines This week is a huge week for giving! Christmas is over but there are still a few days before the end of the tax year. People are motivated by deadlines. And the end of the calendar year is a powerful deadline. Use it to you advantage. Make the most of this week [...]

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Here’s a video of my “Google+ for Nonprofits” session from BlogWorld Expo in Los Angeles last month. There were 2 sessions about Google+ there: Guy Kawasaki and Chris Brogan did one; I did the other. This was presented days before Google opened up pages for brands. The information presented here is still relevant but now [...]

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The year is coming to a close so it’s the season for “Top 10 Lists,” right? Here are the list of the top 10 most popular posts published here on FundraisingCoach.com in 2011. # 10. was actually a tie between both: 3 Easy Phone Tips and 3 Tips for Effective Fundraising Letters # 9. My [...]

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I love William Goldman’s classic The Princess Bride, and the movie of the same name. And as a dad, I’m proud that my kids can quote portions. (Not as much as me, but I’ve seen the movie a few dozen more times.) But did you know there are nonprofit lessons embedded in the story? Here [...]

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December 1 is almost here. And many inexperienced fundraisers are getting ready to throw in the towel. It only seems natural: In December their donors’ schedules are full of holiday parties. In December, many of their donors will go to additional church services. In December, snow can make travel difficult for events or appointments. In [...]

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