by Marc A. Pitman | Dec 2, 2008 | 2. Engage, 3. Ask, Fundraising Secrets, Stories
In Secrets of Closing the Sale, Zig Ziglar says: Each year over 5 million quarter-inch drills are sold, yet it’s safe to say that nobody wants a quarter-inch drill. They want a quarter-inch hole. Isn’t that great? We do that in fundraising too. Donations...
by Marc A. Pitman | Nov 18, 2008 | 3. Ask, Fundraising Secrets
Last week, Lois Lindauer summed up some fundraising advice as: Keep Your Friends Close and Your Donors Closer: At a recent gathering of executive-level fundraisers in Boston, the following suggestions and thoughts for working during these uncertain times were...
by Marc A. Pitman | Nov 4, 2008 | 3. Ask, Fundraising Secrets
This week I’ve had two conversations with founders of nonprofits. I’ve had to tell both the unwelcome truth: you’re going to have to do the fundraising yourself. This was a bitter pill for both of them. You see, they’d created their nonprofit...
by Marc A. Pitman | Sep 23, 2008 | 1. Research, 2. Engage, 4. Love (Stewardship), Fundraising Secrets
One of the biggest jobs in we in development have is being “keepers of the lore.” So often our organizations are so focused on the present–being the best they can at their mission–and the future–strategizing where they’re going and...
by Marc A. Pitman | Sep 10, 2008 | 2. Engage, 3. Ask, 4. Love (Stewardship), Fundraising Secrets
My blog post What really bugs your donors? has gotten a lot of traffic. I’ve received over 100 responses between the question on LinkedIn, the comments on the blog, and emails sent directly to me! I’ve been amazed at how relieved people are that someone...
by Marc A. Pitman | Aug 26, 2008 | Fundraising Secrets
Fundraising can be a grueling occupation. Strategizing, planning, writing, dreaming, asking. Facing rejection day after day. Having people raise the goal year after year. As much as I love it, fundraising can wear you down. That’s why Fundraising Secret #24 is:...