Fundraisers are some of the best people in the world. People committed enough to a cause to ask others to invest in it. They’re good with people, great at networking with donors, and quite resourceful. Except when it comes to professional development. I’ve...
Last week, I had someone pay me a huge, though unintended, compliment when unsubscribing from my email newsletter. She said the content was “far too basic” for her. I was thrilled! I strive to make fundraising simple, basic, and easy to understand. Many of...
Last week, the Chronicle of Philanthropy pointed out a story from ThirdSector. In it, President Obama’s digital strategist, Thomas Gensemer, called email newsletters “a waste of time.” In the article he’s quoted as saying: “Email...
A reporter interviewed me earlier this week for a story on fundraising in a recession. As a follow up, he asked if I had tips to give nonprofits. Here’s what I wrote. I hope they’re helpful! Keep Asking! Treat your donor like an adult and let her make the...
Does your fundraising conversation with donors look like this: Or is it more like this? Donor Centered Fundraising We tend to sell tools: tax-deductions, planned giving tools, stock transfers. We get all wrapped up in them. Fundraising tools should always be...
