Being in the non-profit field is not an easy path. It takes a lot of fortitude, commitment, and a super strong belief in the cause with which you’ve aligned your self and your soul. Over the years, I’ve referred to this poster (shown above). It’s taped on the wall in my office and sometimes I…
This post is quick and to the point! We need to make our fundraising appeals easy to read by the oldest demographic of our communities. Don’t make your donors run out to CVS to get a stronger pair of reading glasses! LOL! Choose a type font that’s large enough to be read comfortably by most…
You may think it’s common sense. But, you would be surprised at how many non-profit organizations use these two words so sparingly, they’re hardly being uttered. Certainly, they’re not being said enough. Those two words are, Thank You! When we get our fundraising hats on, get our plans out and start plotting our outreach efforts,…
One of the most important measures of a healthy non-profit organization is their rate of donor retention. In other words, do you have an avid audience who is eating up every word and deed you’re doing, and then passing it on? Does this translate into donors giving again? The numbers don’t lie. From the Fundraising…
How do you think the new tax bill will affect your contributions this year? My first thought is “Bummer! I’m likely not going to be able to deduct my charitable contributions from my taxes this year”. And then…, “but, yay on the new, higher, standard deduction!” So, there it is. Not much of an impact…
Donor Retention Rates Need Your Attention Only 2.5% of charities have a donor retention rate of 70 percent based on the Association of Fundraising Professionals study. Did you get that? Two and a half percent! That means more than a quarter of your donors won’t be back. Why should you care about this? Because it’s…
If your organization has a real relaxed approach to following up on donor pledges, what you’ll likely see is your donors backs as they walk away from your agency. Put yourself in the shoes of a pledging donor. Do you think that their decision was one that came easily? More than likely their pledge was…
No one likes to get the silent treatment. No one likes to be the last to know. Don’t stop talking with your donors. Communicating with the people that have connected with your organization ought to be in an organized and consistent way. Some people assume that donors don’t want to hear from you. Wrong! Some…
Ask, Thank, Report, Ask, Thank, Report – This is a fundraising model that works! It’s a cycle that is proven. It’s a cycle you can put into your calendar. It’s a strategy when there’s no strategy. Here’s how it works – it’s an “honor program”: Honor your donor by sharing the problem your organization is…
Include An Outreach Strategy for New Donors in Your Event Wrap-Up Plan. There’s no reason your organization can’t form a meaningful relationship with a donor that was brought to your fundraiser by someone on your volunteer committee or, invited by a board member. Is there? It’s an important growth move to make the effort to…