![[Guest Post] How to Overcome Objections in Scheduling Your Fundraising Solicitation Meetings](https://cdn.fundraisingcoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/02231010/andreakihlstedt-200w.jpg)
[Guest Post] How to Overcome Objections in Scheduling Your Fundraising Solicitation Meetings
I'm a huge fan of Andrea Kihlstedt. She's a true expert in fundraising - one that makes you feel smarter just by being around her. She's the author of multiple books and the creator of the "asking styles" way of helping people ask in coordination with their hard...
Storytelling is for fundraising NOT for nonprofit marketing!
I'm shocked at how people looking for solid fundraising tactics, simply blow off storytelling. It's as though there is some cosmic organizational chart in the sky that has storytelling is on one side (the "marketing" side) and fundraising is on the other. Divorcing...
Quick storytelling tip for nonprofit board members
Being a nonprofit board member can be an exciting adventure. You're part of something bigger than yourself, doing incredible work. But the joy tends to evaporate when you're asked to talk about your nonprofit to your friends. My coaching clients often ask me questions...
Get new donors with Facebook Ads?
Are you confused about Facebook Advertising and how it applies to your nonprofit fundraising? You know that your donors and prospects are on Facebook. Facebook ads are becoming a must in today's pay-to-play Facebook model but where do you start? And how much do you...
4 Great Nonprofit Trainings this Month in The Nonprofit Academy!
A few weeks ago, The Nonprofit Academy joined the Fundraising Coach. With over 50 webinars, templates, and tools in the NPA Online Vault, it's already a great resource for affordable, efficient, and effective nonprofit trainings. But members typically get one new...
Stop being jealous! Tips on dealing with #ALSicebucketchallenge
Lately, I've been getting a lot of questions about my "view" of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. When I saw it happening, I watched with professional curiosity. I love seeing a nonprofit hit a fundraising campaign out of the park! You'd think that as a guy lost his mom...
Get jazzed when a donor says “no”!
As I wrote earlier this week, some of my coaching clients are being transformed by the idea of keeping on going until we get no. This concept is helping them keep up their endurance in asking. And it's helping donors really connect to causes that matter to them. So...
Sometimes, you need to go for no
I just finished writing my latest "Question Marc" column for FundRaising Success magazine answering a question from "Panicked in Pasadena." Panicked was that way because donors weren't responding to her solicitations. Can you relate? We stop too soon One of the tips I...
Ebola, Apple’s iPhone 6, and your nonprofit’s successful fundraising
Today the Apple iPhone 6 hits the streets. People are lining up by the hundreds like the line going around the block in this image from New York City. Are they lining up that way for your nonprofit's fundraising? Yesterday I published an article on LinkedIn's Pulse...
3 inexpensive tools to make your year-end giving amazing
In creating an Ask Without Fear! training for the executive directors of the Jewish National Fund of Canada, I was reminded how important September is for the vast number of nonprofits. Even for those like JNF that have religious holidays in the coming weeks, the end...
How to raise more money through donor retention – without throwing money away
I spent Labor Day morning reading about the labor of fundraising. I am so glad I picked up Roger Craver's book, Retention Fundraising! These three hours will be with me for years. I'm not new to this. I've been studying donor retention for over a decade. My first...
Free Donor Stewardship Class!
[UPDATED 9/2/14 with the recording of the special hour-plus long class!] We're rapidly moving toward the most generous time of the year. Many nonprofits see 30% or more of their annual donations in December. But according to recent studies by Google, September is when...
Are you ready for donors using LinkedIn?
In teaching nonprofit social media, I call LinkedIn the "little engine that could." Started in late 2002, LinkedIn has seen many social media platforms rise and fall. (Anyone remember Friendster or MySpace?) But LinkedIn keeps trucking along. And in my non-scientific...
Don’t waste time trying to copy the #icebucketchallenge
Every week, I send a fundraising coaching email to nonprofit CEOs and Executive Directors. These Kicks are designed to remind them to get out from behind their desk to interact with 5-10 major donors and prospects. I rarely share these Fundraising Kicks with anyone...
KindleUnlimited offers a great marketing opportunity for your library!
A few weeks ago, Amazon announced KindleUnlimited. For $10/month, you can read from their list of books, and listen to some of them on Audible. Doesn't this sound like charging for what libraries already offer? Start where your donors are In my book on raising library...
How to get new donors
As a fundraising coach, one of the most common questions I get is about how to get new donors for a nonprofit. The question was well summed up in this question from an Ask Without Fear! email newsletter subscriber: "How do I acquire new donors? I find that people keep...
Training: Fundraising for Christian Ministry
Fundraising isn't easy. But fundraising for your own ministry support can be even harder! Steve Shadrach knows that better than most. And he has tips and strategies for helping you raise your support and deepening your relationship with God. Ministry fundraising...
Nonprofit board members: The next 3 minutes can transform your nonprofit’s next event
As a nonprofit board member, it can be challenging to know how to best help your nonprofit. After all, they are the experts. They know their sector far better than you ever will. So how can you help them? 1 simple thing you can do today to help your nonprofit get new...
Don’t Wing It! Major Gifts Webinar with Kathie Kramer Ryan
The Nonprofit Academy Members’ August Webinar Don’t Wing It! – Major Gift Mistakes Even Smart Fundraisers Make August 14, 1pm ET (noon CT / 11am MT / 10am PT) In this webinar, Kathie Kramer Ryan will share the critical mistakes often made by even the most seasoned...
Don’t Wing It! Major Gifts Webinar with Kathie Kramer Ryan
The Nonprofit Academy Members’ August Webinar Don’t Wing It! – Major Gift Mistakes Even Smart Fundraisers Make August 14, 1pm ET (noon CT / 11am MT / 10am PT) In this webinar, Kathie Kramer Ryan will share the critical mistakes often made by even the most seasoned...
![[Guest Post] Donor Acquisition – the painful necessity of fundraising](https://cdn.fundraisingcoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/02231029/McCarthyBob200w.png)
[Guest Post] Donor Acquisition – the painful necessity of fundraising
Today it's my pleasure to share with you a post on finding new donors for your nonprofit. A few weeks ago, Bob McCarthy and I were emailing about the formulas to look at when getting new donors. So I asked him to write a blog post about it! Read it both to learn the...
The Nonprofit Academy joins The Fundraising Coach
Fundraising training has never been more affordable! You may have already heard the news: The Fundraising Coach will now be directing The Nonprofit Academy! And I couldn't be more thrilled!! Started by Kirsten Bullock, The Nonprofit Academy has become one of the most...
How Mr. T can help your nonprofit fundraising. Seriously.
Here's a short video explaining one of the most important aspects of fundraising: shutting up. When you've done all the researching, engaging, and you've just made the ask...the decision is out of your control. And that's ok. In my fundraising training, I recommend...
An unlikely summer reading list for nonprofit leaders
Summer can be a great time to catch up on some reading. "Catch up" may be relative term. Summer doesn't really slow down anymore, does it? But as those of you in the Northern Hemisphere experience the change in pace that summer brings, here are some books I recommend...
Why I pay for the Chronicle of Philanthropy
Years ago, the school that employed me as a fundraiser paid for a subscription to the Chronicle of Philanthropy. So when I began running a development shop, I made sure the Chronicle subscription was in my budget. But then, somewhere along the line, I realized two...
Nonprofit Marketing Tips from 19 Experts
A while ago, I was invited to be a guest lecturer at Brandeis. As my friend David Mersky was introducing me, I put this question across various social media platforms: RIGHT NOW: Nonprofit people, what marketing tips would you tell a graduate class on philanthropy?...
15 Social Media Tips for Ministry Fundraising
This month's Church Executive features an interview with me on how pastors can use social media for fundraising. The editor pulled out 15 of the most important tips I've learned, both pastoring a church and in coaching church planters and others in ministry...
4 Disney Lessons to Transform Your Donor Retention
I'm just finishing up another family trip to Walt Disney World. Every time I'm here, I study the culture, habits, and design of the parks and resorts. I'm fascinated by their attention to detail, their ability to create brand new merchandising opportunities, and their...
5½ Things to say at Your Next Major Gift Solicitation
Since writing about the exact words to say on your next major gift ask, many have asked me for what to talk about during the meeting, both before and after the ask. What to say to a donor prospect Here are 5½ things you can say on your next major gift visit: Hi...
5½ Things to say at Your Next Major Gift Solicitation
Since writing about the exact words to say on your next major gift ask, many have asked me for what to talk about during the meeting, both before and after the ask. What to say to a donor prospect Here are 5½ things you can say on your next major gift visit: Hi...