Each year, approximately 10% of your non-profit donor base will attrition naturally through death, moving, or just not giving any longer. Then you add lapsed donors on top of that natural attrition, and you are looking at an eroding donor list. Sound familiar? Well, in previous blog posts, I examined how to begin attracting new donors […]
A lapsed donor is one who has lapsed from giving at least a calendar year. They are the most significant donors to focus your efforts on re-engaging since they have already demonstrated an interest in your organization. There are several ways to re-engage these lapsed donors. Here are some suggestions that you can implement within […]
It is probably not where you initially think! To begin attracting new donors to your organization, you first need to step back and determine a strong and compelling case for support. Without a rationale for giving, you won’t be able to attract any new donors to your organization. Here are the critical components that you […]
They offered you the job, you signed the offer letter, and now you are patiently waiting for your start date. Well, believe it or not, your start time begins before you take the job. This pre-start time is the time that you can start to leverage. In fact, you are sending signals even before you walk in […]
You have just been offered a job as a Director of Development and now what? Well, over the past twenty years, I have had my share of jobs and have started some fundraising offices within nonprofits as part of my consulting practice. As a result, I have gotten pretty good at figuring out what the […]
Often, I get asked, “What is the magic behind a successful fundraising campaign?” Well, it is not all magic. There is some science. And, with over twenty years of experience, I am going to share the top tips that have made it all “seem” like magic so that you can too. I am going to […]
An important part of any fundraising campaign is how you plan on recognizing your donors at different giving levels. While donor recognition opportunities do not motivate all donors, the fact is that some are. And, you need to be prepared to offer this valuable tool to inspire the sights of your donors who are motivated […]
Do you mail a spring or fall direct mail appeal letter and hope for the best? Well, “a wing and a prayer” is not a strategy. A strategy by definition is a plan of action or policy designed to achieve a major or overall aim. Here are some simple steps that you can take to follow […]
Now that it is development planning season for many with the start of a new fiscal year looming, I am often asked, where do you start first when putting together your development plan and calendar. Well, for me, I start at the beginning. I tend to look at the key metrics and how past Return […]
Just this week, I was working with a client, and we were discussing Board member engagement in fund development. The assumption was, ho hum, “they just won’t participate.” It was then that I came across a blog article outlining all of the wonderful ways that you can engage your Board in fundraising. You know things […]
Spring is the season of Galas or so it seems. And, rightly so, the weather is turning warmer and everyone’s thoughts seem to be on getting out after a long winter. I am often asked by organizations who are holding galas or other fundraising events, what is the key to turning event attendees into loyal […]
So, maybe you have been operating without a plan up until now. And, that is ok, but it is not strategic, and to meet your goals, you need to have a plan that you follow, monitor, and correct if needed. Here are some simple instructions on how you can quickly create a development plan if you […]
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