My ten year-old daughter asked to go to Barnes and Noble on a school night after we had gone out to eat. Her younger brother’s baseball game was the impetus for the dinner out so we were already behind schedule for homework, baths and bedtime. My answer was “no.” When I asked if she thought I’d say yes, she admitted …
Do Your Own Fundraising Research? You Bet!
One of the hot topics in the prospect research field is whether we researchers are going to be replaced by all of the great software products out there. With the click of your mouse you can search multiple public records databases and spit a profile out of your printer. Even data analytics has become more accessible with easy software interfaces. …
5 Myths Busted On Why Charitable Giving With Wills and Trusts Is Difficult
republished with permission It’s a little known fact that planned giving has one of the highest ROIs (return on investment) of any fundraising activity, contributing to the fact that pursuing gifts from wills and trusts is rarely a key mission funding practice among the average American nonprofit. Why is this the case? In my experience, the most common excuses include …
8 Over-Looked Donor Prospects Hidden In Your Database, Just Waiting to Give More
Republished with permission There’s little argument that long-term, loyal donors are your best prospects for things like major gifts and planned gifts. Monthly donors, active volunteers, current and former service recipients, and the securely retired (especially the childless and empty-nesters) are also great prospects. But who else might be lurking in your donor database that doesn’t necessarily scream “I could …
Are You Interesting?
Republished with permission Are you interesting? As a fundraising professionals, our job is to develop relationships on behalf of our organizations. If we are going to do that well, we have to be interesting. How do you get interesting? Get out of your office! Many fundraisers wear “working all the time” as a badge of honor. They brag about being …
Should Fundraisers Friend Donors on Facebook?
Republished with permission Social media is great for connecting with true friends and close family members, but it also creates awkward situations when a friend request comes through from a person who we might not went to let into our private lives just yet. A co-worker, a distant cousin, a new acquaintance. What about a fundraiser? Should they accept a …
Raising Investment Capital and Fundraising – Not the Same
republished with permission In 2016, I worked with five nonprofits engaged in The Patterson Foundation’s Margin Mission Ignition program. After completing a strenuous business planning process, it was time for these organizations to implement their plans. A key part of any social enterprise plan – and ultimately successful implementation – is raising investment capital. It’s not uncommon for nonprofit organizations to pursue social …