New “DCS” interim development services
Development Consulting Solutions is announcing NEW interim and project-based service offerings:
Who is “DCS”?
There are limited Certified Fund-Raising Executives (CFRE) providing outsourced fund development services and serving as interim…
Do not take Fund Development best practices at face value!
Best practices. We hear that phrase often. This week, I even read a question asking if "best practices were misleading?"
Are we throwing that phrase around to legitimize our field? Our do we have best practices and what are they?
Well, I contend…
“Am I asking my donors too much?” Well, Virginia let me tell you the answer.
So, here it is. I am laying this question and answer right out on the line. Especially now that we are coming to the year-end giving season.
I am asked time and time again, "Didn't we just mail to them, won't we be bothering them?"
No, no,…
Love me or lose me – How donor communications can do both.
We often talk about banning jargon when we speak to others about our organization. And, that is so needed. But, I would like to take it one step further, and say that we are not here to "educate" our donors about what we do.
They don't…
Ask your donors key questions, and fundraising becomes simple!
Let's get rid of our printed newsletter and just send an e-newsletter.
Our donors don't like personal solicitations.
We are only going to send out one appeal a year because we don't want to send too much mail to our donors.
I hear statements…
Where are all your donors going?
Are you looking at your donor retention rate? It seems like this is old hat in the field, but yet, it is such an important metric to be measuring in your development office. The question is, are you?
It is more expensive and difficult to…
Fundraising audits inside and out
The fundraising audit is a major step in fundraising planning. When you think about planning, you think about where are we, where do we want to be, and how are we going to get there?
The fundraising audit helps you to determine, where are…
How does your fundraising ROI measure up?
How are you looking at your fundraising rate of return?
It is critical that you develop a variety of ways to measure your performance and report these results to the board.
In doing so, you are ensuring appropriate stewardship of your resources…
A Case Study: Donor Acquisition – It Does Work!
This week, I had a conversation with one of my very first clients. And, I wanted to share their success story. You see, too many groups don't want to invest in donor acquisition because they know that they will lose money - in the short-term.…
Let’s ban the title Newsletters – all in favor?
The one best tip I have for nonprofit newsletters - stop calling them newsletters. I am of the mind that this title creates a great deal of confusion both for the nonprofit and the donor.
Why?
First, donors are like investors. They are giving…
Sleigh bells ring…Is your year-end fundraising strategy in place?
A little early you might say but…
Not really because if you are not hearing sleigh bells ringing then you might already be behind the eight ball in your development office.
Santa is getting his sleigh ready and so should you be.
Now is…
P.S. look here!
Why the P.S. in a direct mail appeal letter? Asked the Executive Director...
And I say because it works!
Direct mail appeal letter writing is not your average writing and there just happens to be a technical science behind it.
For one,…
