How to reduce the frantic pace in your nonprofit fundraising workday
Just recently, I noticed as I was driving around that everyone seems to be frantic. Or, is it more frenetic? Folks weaving in and out, road rage, and overall cortisol on overload.
In comparison, I just spent three months in Australia. And,…
How your nonprofit should spend its summer vacation
A guest post by Dennis Fischman of Communicate! Consulting
For many nonprofit organizations, summer is a slow time. If you are in Development and Communications, you know that many of your supporters are at the beach or running “mommy camp”…
The top six tips to avoid the “Hope and Pray” method of calendar-year end campaign planning
Often, I work with clients who don't adequately plan for their calendar year-end efforts. This lack of planning does a disservice to the organization for a couple of important reasons. One such reason is that calendar year-end efforts and…
What one thing can make or break the success of YOUR organization?
The Board.
It can make or break your organization. If assembled and organized correctly, it can chart a successful future that prospers and preserves inspiration and creativity of its members and benefactors alike.
If not, well...insert…
Raising more money from your current loyal donors through repeat and best-ever gifts
What happens when you don't invest in donor acquisition?
Well, your organization will face a declining donor base with the need to raise more money from fewer donors. With about 10% of donor bases naturally declining each year, the focus…
Using multi-channel digital fundraising “shoestring” strategies to acquire new donors.
In this day and age, as development professionals, we need to keep our eye both on donor retention and acquisition. It is one thing to retain your current donors. But if you are not constantly acquiring new ones, your donor file will naturally…
How to keep your small shop fundraising focus on your major donor work
After having served most of my career as a Director of Development in a small organization, I understand the realities of trying to handle all of the major tasks and responsibilities that come up daily; plus the fires that seem to endlessly…
Analyzing your calendar year-end fundraising efforts for effectiveness
Many groups end the year and then move onto their next project starting January 1.
While forward-thinking and acting is important, it is also equally as critical to do some analysis of the past year; calendar year-end, particularly, since…
We’re growing our interim fundraising division to help YOU reach your possibility.
Let me share a story with you...
A few years back when I first started consulting, I provided organizations like yourself with strategic fund development audits and assessments and then crafted finely honed plans.
What I thought were roadmaps…
How to get your fundraising “Mojo” back through finding your ideal development position
Not satisfied with where you are currently in your field? Feeling like you have lost your "Mojo?"
I know the feeling, I have "been there done that" as they say.
What often happens next, is that we begin to apply for job after job with…
How to ensure a successful new nonprofit fundraising year
Now that it is January, you may think that it is time to relax a bit after that hectic holiday season. However, now is the time to ensure that you have strong follow-up to your calendar year-end appeal.
If you have closed out one fundraising…
How to create a manual that ensures your database stays clean and up to date
Now that December is here, I have been running many lists and queries and during those list pulls, I have noted inconsistent data in databases that have caused numerous complications during one of the busiest times of the year.
As a result,…
