Plan for your new fundraising job even before you start
It is very tempting to take some time off between fundraising jobs to just rest and relax. Fundraising is difficult and demanding work, and there is a need for a recharge.
However, this is exactly the time that you should be planning for…
Characteristics of a good development director
Technical skill or personality, which is most important when hiring a new Director of Development?
That is a great question.
And, while both would be ideal, that is not always a guarantee.
So, what do you look for in this case?
While…
Creating a system of reconciliation for your fundraising and finance offices
Development and Finance both report financial numbers to the Board of Directors, but sometimes the numbers reported don't add up. Questioning Board members wonder, "Whose numbers are correct?" While embarrassing at times, it may just be that…
Developing “Strategic Relationship Building Strategies” for your donor prospects
Developing relationship building strategies for your donor prospects
So, you have the start of a donor portfolio. You have run all the lists, sorted them, and then ranked them. And now, you have your top two hundred donors.
Do you start…
Creating a framework for your annual fundraising campaign
While the calendar may have just turned to the month of June, fundraisers are starting to prepare for their end of year campaigns.
Now, the question is, how do you plan the structure of this campaign? What are the elements that need to…
Items you should bring on a donor fundraising visit
You have made the call and scheduled the meeting with your major donor.
Now, the question is, what do you need to bring to this visit? Do you bring a brochure or a video, or perhaps even a PowerPoint presentation? I say you bring it all. …
Creating a “Grateful Resident” Fundraising Program
If you have ever worked for a non-profit senior residential community, you know the importance that the residents play as a prospective donor constituent audience. It is they, and their families, who are the "warmest" potential prospective…
Planning your first fundraising cultivation event
Cultivation events are great ways to begin to qualify prospective donor relationships and deepen already existing donor relationships. Cultivation events should be a part of any individual giving.
However, when first getting started with…
How a matching gift challenge can boost your fundraising donor acquisition and retention rates
Matching gifts offer an excellent way to help organizations raise more money to fund their missions than they ordinarily do on their own. This type of gift program gives donors a sense of immediacy and urgency to their giving.
A matching…
Measuring your fundraising programs acquisition and retention metrics
While there are some relatively simple measures for evaluating the effectiveness of your fundraising program, such as Return on Investment (ROI) and the fundraising numbers, you often need to go beyond that to determine the long-term health…
How to acquire new prospective donors while reactivating lapsed ones
According to recent findings in the 2018 Fundraising Effectiveness Project, The Agitator points out that "The warning signs are there – decreasing numbers of new donors and decreasing reactivation rates of lapsed donors."
We are apparently…
How to create sponsorship opportunities for your fundraising event
So, you have an upcoming special event and you want to seek sponsors, and now you are wondering how to develop sponsorship opportunities that make sense and that inspire businesses to support you.
Well, when I advise my clients on how to…
