Making a case for your state-funded organization’s fundraising
When meeting with new clients, I often hear this exact same question, "But, our organization receives state and federal funds...how can we realistically make the case for our fundraising?"And, my answer is, "Even more so you can!It…
Incorporating Peer-to-Peer Fundraising as a Calendar Year-End Donor Acquisition Strategy
I worked with various sized organizations all with different causes and the one thing that I see most in common is that they lack strong broad-based donor bases at the lower level. Most have focused their efforts on building relationships with…
Are you in a fundraising foxhole of expectations?
I coach nonprofit fundraisers to either advance in their career or to make a mark in their first 90 days in their new position. As a coach, I sometimes hear and feel the same situation in different ways.Most are not satisfied with their…
How to Communicate during a Nonprofit Leadership Transition
This article originally appeared in Dennis Fischman's blog, Communicate, on July 29, 2019I’m certain that many of you reading this have experienced a change in leadership at your nonprofit organization at one time or another. Someone reached…
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! ConsultingFor 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…
The top seven steps to creating special event sponsorships that sell
Before you can even solicit sponsors for your fundraising special events, you need to take several key steps first to best position your organization.What most groups fail to do is evaluate their sponsor value proposition first and foremost,…
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…
The key indicators of a strong nonprofit fundraising campaign
I often get asked, "What are the key indicators of a strong nonprofit fundraising campaign?"In order to have a strong fundraising campaign of any sort, whether it be capital, endowment, or even annual, you need several hallmarks of success…
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…
