Welcome to the May 17th edition of Extreme Fundraising!
I think we often learn more from our mistakes than our successes so we’re continuing to look at the mistakes we make in asking people for money. Previous issues of the EFE are available in the archives at http://fundraisingcoach.com/ezine.htm.
I. FUNDRAISING FOLLIES: NOT WORKING THE PLAN
II. RESOURCE SPOTLIGHT: [...]

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Welcome to the May 3rd edition of Extreme Fundraising!
We’re continuing to look at the mistakes we make in asking people for money. Previous issues of the Extreme Fundraising Ezine are available in the archives at http://fundraisingcoach.com/ezine.htm.
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I. Fundraising Follies: Not Spreading Yourself Thin Enough
II. Resource Spotlight: Weekly Call Sheets
III. Creating Donor Evangelists Audio Program
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I. Fundraising Follies: [...]

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Welcome to the April 19th edition of Extreme Fundraising!
We’re continuing to look at the mistakes we make in asking people for money. Previous issues of the Extreme Fundraising Ezine are available in the archives at http://fundraisingcoach.com/ezine.htm.
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I. Fundraising Follies: Database Dust
II. Resource Spotlight: eTapestry.com
III. Creating Donor Evangelists Audio Program
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I. Fundraising Follies: Database Dust
Can I share with [...]

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I. Fundraising Follies: Flying Solo Revisited
II. Resource Spotlight: CharityTalk
III. Creating Donor Evangelists Audio Program
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I. Fundraising Follies: Flying Solo Revisited
If you’ll remember from the last EFE, I blundered by letting a wonderful volunteer “fly solo” with her solicitations.
Many readers responded to my plight! Thank you. Among the responses were those like Irene McGee’s of Crowley [...]

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I. Fundraising Follies: Flying Solo
II. Resource Spotlight: Launchcast Radio
III. Creating Donor Evangelists Audio Program
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I. Fundraising Follies: Flying Solo
The longer you’ve been raising money, the more annoying it is when you fall prey to a fundraising folly. Last week, I fell prey to one of the classic blunders: letting a solicitor fly solo. (This classic blunder [...]

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I love the emails I’ve gotten from development professionals sharing some of their follies. Here are a couple involving direct mail:

“Well, now I remember a time when I used the word ‘erotic’ when I meant ‘erratic.’ Luckily not in a situation when it could do any damage!”
Jenny Hansell
Executive Director
North East Community Center
“Probably the worst [...]

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There are dozens of personality trait assessments on the market. I highly recommend you check out some form of the D-I-S-C version. It’s simple, easy to learn, easy to remember, and incredibly helpful in dealing with people—donors, staff, even family.
My favorite provider of DiSC assessments is Personality Insights at http://www.personality-insights.com. They make learning this [...]

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Today’s fundraising mistake could have happened to any of us. My thanks to Stephen Nill, founder and CEO of CharityChannel.com for submitting it:

I was meeting with an elderly lady, 89 years old, who had around 20 cats in her home and around her property. She was contemplating a very large gift to an organization [...]

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At a recent board meeting of one of my clients, we stumbled upon a perfect opportunity to make a planned giving ask of one of their constituents. The person had been involved with the organization for years. The ask would help endow an annual scholarship that was already being given in honor of this family. [...]

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Have you tried to buy a box of Cheez-Its in the supermarket lately? It’s intimidating! There are more than 10 different kinds of Cheez-Its! Some of the varieties include:

Original
Reduced Fat
White Cheddar
Big Cheez-Its
Cheesy Sour Cream and Onion
Parmesan and Garlic
Cheddar Jack
SpongeBob Cheez-Its
Party Mix
Chili Cheese
Hot and Spicy

It takes so long to look at the wall of orangey-red boxes [...]

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