Subscription-based shopping for common products like toothpaste and cleaning supplies has increased exponentially in popularity over the past few years. For example, I receive a bulk order of dog food from Amazon every eight months. Before I recognize the food is running low, Amazon automatically ships the refill, and “ta-da!” it arrives at my door just as Toby needs it.
Read MoreAfter endless conversations with donors, writing newsletter articles, blog posts, social media pieces, and other communications, the professionals within your organization are often the first ones to get ‘message fatigue.’
Read MoreFundraising – like pretty much everything else – during a global pandemic feels confusing, uncertain, and slightly uncomfortable; however, it is critical you recognize that your non-profit organization continues to meet the needs in your community and contribute to it in essential ways. Frankly, you must continue to generate income to support your mission and work.
Read MoreI am a firm believer in using data and the science behind it to drive your fundraising results. Instead of taking a buckshot approach, non-profit organizations must strategically focus their energy and efforts.
Read MoreAchieving the cash goal that your organization expects is of paramount importance. However, increasing the number of donors is also important – you’re pouring water into the long-term pipeline.
Read MoreFor many professional fundraisers, especially at smaller nonprofits, the idea of a shift in focus or priority can be daunting and the ability to make that change may be out of your control. So, when nonprofit leaders think about establishing a culture within your organization where data is respected, embraced, and acted upon, it can seem like a daunting task.
Read More"What's the next, best, really cool trend that's coming in fundraising?". My response, "Nothing is as cool as sitting down with a donor and asking them for money". Of course, this quickly took the wind out of their sails, which was not my intention, but I wanted to make a point.
Read MoreOne of the frequent questions we are asked by our clients is, "What does a good Board of Directors do?". That answer, of course, is rarely a simple answer. But it's important for well functioning non-profit organizations to ask the question and be able to answer it for their organization.
Read MoreI've always advised clients that they should raise more money the weeks AFTER their gala than they do during their gala. Yes, tell your donors about what you do - but leave them wanting to learn more. Follow up with prospects after the event, asking if they have any questions or would like to hear more.
Read MoreThis past weekend my wife and I had the opportunity to attend a fundraising gala for an organization I support. It is important to point out right away that this is an organization that is close to my heart - not my wife's!
Read MoreDoes your organization have a strategic plan? Do you have an idea of where you want your organization to go in the next three to five years? This is imperative to ensure success - you can’t guess where you’re going, you have to plan to get there.
Read MoreIn this “lull” before “gala season”, now is a good time to look at your data and clean it up! Run a duplicate record search, run your data through the NCOA (National Change of Address) database, perform an e-mail append, etc.
Read MoreWith the new year upon us, non-profit organizations too often tend to use the first few weeks of the month to recover from the holiday giving season, clean out old e-mails, organize their offices, and stress about the months ahead. But during this “downtime”, non-profit executives should perform important tasks and ascertain critical information to ensure their organization is on the right path.
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