Your website should (read: must) be the focal point of your entire integrated fundraising strategy. Why? Simply put, 99% of your donors will never walk through the doors of your...
23 Questions for More Effective Fundraising Copy
Do you want your fundraising letters to raise more money? If so, be sure to ask these 23 questions each time you write a letter: Do I have a compelling...
How to know when direct mail isn’t a good fundraising tool for your org (Tip #18)
Not all fundraising offers are made for direct mail. Some causes just don't lend themselves to direct mail. This can be because your audience is so small you can't get...
Instinct vs. Insight
As a fundraiser you'll have a lot of people offer you suggestions on how best to do your job. Well intentioned board members, executive directors, program staffers, volunteers and supporters...
15 Tips to Grow Your E-mail List
Looking for ways to grow your e-mail subscriber list? Try these 15 ways: Ask for e-mail address on your direct mail and newsletter reply devices Request it during volunteer sign-in...
If you’re going to hide the ask, just don’t mail at all (Tip #17)
Don't hide your ask deep in your letter. If you're spending the money to send out direct mail solicitations, don't be shy! Prominently and repeatedly make your ask. In fact,...
This is why your special event doesn’t raise more money
Do you ever wonder why your events aren't raising more money? Why more people don't make pledges and why pledge amounts are decreasing instead of increasing? It's the economy,...
Focus on user experience in the mail too, not just online (Tip #16)
Increase response rates by pre-filling your donors' personal information on your direct mail reply cards. It might be tempting to just leave these blank (it's probably modestly cheaper than pre-filling),...
Qualifying major gift prospects is a lot like fishing…
I’m not a big fisherman, but I know enough to get by. Here’s why I think fishing and qualifying major donor suspects is similar... When you’re out in the boat...
What story is your nonprofit telling?
In Dan Portnoy's new book, The Non-profit Narrative, (a great read, by the way), Dan says: Nonprofit organizations weren't started to consistently ask for money and talk about the troubles of keeping the...