You’re invited to join us for Emerald Insights, a monthly webinar that will provide insights into various topics throughout the year, while also providing time for open discussion about anything related to fundraising, external relations, strategic planning, and the challenges and opportunities of running an effective nonprofit. And while these are offered exclusive to our clients, don’t hesitate to forward this information to colleague at another organization – we are opening them in March and April to our full mailing list and referrals. We’d love to have them join us!

Sign up for more information by emailing Amanda@thekilloegroup.com

Ask YOUR donors for a Leap of Faith 

This February, forget the valentine’s cards - ask your donors for a leap of faith on leap year day! The extra day can be a great reason to talk about the extras that your mission and organization provides – thanks to their donations. Taking a leap of faith, you can ask them to dig a little deeper this February and help your cause. 

Direct mail, social media, some snazzy graphics and an e-newsletter can be quickly deployed to help make your “Leap of faith” campaign a success. You don’t have to go overboard – good pictures, simple messaging, and a strong call to action will do it for most supporters. 

Whether the year has 365 or 366 days in it, your donors are the reason you’re meeting your mission. They’re making a difference for the better, and any chance you get to put a new spin on what they accomplish, take it! 

Feeling writer’s block when it comes to your next direct mail campaign? Contact Amanda Irwin at amanda@thekilloegroup.com to see how the Killoe Group can help you tackle direct mail, social media, and email campaigns with confidence!  

Clean up that Database!

Spring cleaning is around the corner (on the calendar, anyway!) and now is the time to start planning for some cleaning of your database. Information can get stale pretty quickly, and there are a few simple steps you can take to get your data in the best shape before the 2024 direct mail campaigns kick off.

1. De-dupe! Run lists based on addresses and names, and see how many duplicates you can find (every database has them). Come up with standard naming conventions for businesses, foundations, and other donor records that are most likely to have duplicates.

2.     Deactivate the inactive – has it been ten years since their last gift? Have you followed through with updating deceased donors? Did someone make a gift once, five years ago, and never responded to any of your follow up appeals? Inactivating those records will prune your mailing lists and avoid wasted efforts.

3.     NCOA Time – Once you have done those two steps, look into a “National Change of Address” review of your data. That will give you the latest updates on who has moved and if they left a forwarding address. Be sure to keep them on your email lists, even if they move – that shouldn’t be an automatic deactivation.

These steps are great to tackle in the winter months, and can yield better returns on your efforts throughout the year. 

Coffee that Counts –Making the Most of Prospect Visits 

Late winter and early spring are great times to meet with your top donors and ask them: Who else should I be talking to? Once you start to get a list of some prospects, reach out to set up a coffee, and make it clear you won’t be asking for a donation. Some ways to make those visits more effective include:

1. Listen twice as much as you are talking (tough for fundraisers, I know!)

2. Ask what they’re passionate about and how they like to make a difference

3.  Ask for advice on how organizations can better stand out in a crowded field – what works for them?

4.  Give them your short elevator pitch for your organization’s mission, cause, and purpose. Explain that it’s close to ____(the person who referred them)___, and they thought you would be interested in learning more about it. Is there something about our mission that would interest you?

5. Tell them you’d like to reach out to people who want to make a difference in this sort of thing – ask what ways they like to be contacted, and if they’re ok with you adding them to mailing / email / invitation lists.

6. Thank them for their time and follow up with a nice handwritten note.

This simple playbook can get you on the path to expanding your donor base, and making the most out of introduction to prospects. Like the old fundraising adage says, “If you want money, ask for advice. If you want advice, ask for money!”