Note: This guest post is from Harvey McKinnon, with assistance from his colleague Kevin Wilson. Thank you both! For many years I served on the board of a small arts organization. I loved the nonprofit, but one thing bothered me every time we went over the budget: our endowment. The endowment totaled about $900,000, just shy of our … [Read more...]
Help your board promote monthly giving
Note: This guest post is from Erica Waasdorp, author of a new book, Monthly Giving Made Easy. Thanks, Erica! Pandemic lesson number one: you need reliable revenue, no matter what. Your best solution is monthly giving: encouraging automatic monthly payments from your donors, typically via credit card or electronic funds transfer … [Read more...]
Using values to build your anti-racist fundraising program
Note: This guest post is from Laurel McCombs of the The Osborne Group. Thanks, Laurel! My colleague Bob Osborne and I have been fortunate to conduct several presentations this year on how to create an anti-racist fundraising program. As I reflect on these sessions, I want to use this post to emphasize an area that many organizations … [Read more...]
Who is your fundraising about?
For a long time, the dominant fundraising strategy has focused on creating better donor experiences. The concept of donor-centered fundraising was popularized by Penelope Burk and others. When donors feel connected and empowered, according to this theory, they are more likely to give, give again, and give more … which raises more money … [Read more...]
How to reduce your grant dependence
It’s striking how many people – specifically those who are new to fundraising – assume that grants are the key to success. I can’t begin to count the number of conversations in which the word “grantwriting” (I prefer “grantseeking,” because the process goes way beyond writing) is substituted for the word “fundraising.” They aren’t … [Read more...]
Fundraising with H.E.A.R.T.
In my work as a fundraising consultant, I’ve noticed how clients tend to begin the conversation by asking about tactics and details. Typical questions: Who should sign our fundraising letters? (Board chair, executive director, development director…?) How often can we solicit our donors without annoying them? When we ask our … [Read more...]
Using Asking Styles to train your board
Note: This guest post is from Brian Saber of Asking Matters. It’s adapted from his new book, Boards and Asking Styles: A Roadmap to Success. Thanks, Brian! For most nonprofits, board training is a challenge. And no wonder! The team meets infrequently — and can’t meet in person during the pandemic. Resources may be scarce. Furthermore, … [Read more...]
Six ways to save money for your nonprofit
Note: This guest post is from Jodi Segal of Big Change Consulting. Thanks, Jodi! Yes, raising money is hard work. As all fundraisers know, retaining your current donors is easier and more profitable than recruiting new donors. At the same time, saving money is better than spending it unnecessarily. When you stretch your dollars … [Read more...]
Fundraising in uncertain times: Success stories
How are you navigating this moment? Are you fearful for your organization? Do you sense opportunities? Perhaps both... In today’s post, I’m offering you a pep talk based on data, long experience, and a couple of good stories. These days may feel bleak, but if you address your fear and engage your donors, you can raise a lot of money – … [Read more...]
Board members: What you can do right now
How are you doing? How is your organization doing? As we navigate the challenges of COVID-19, many nonprofits are taking tactical steps to serve and survive: implementing anti-infection measures, working from home, moving programming online, taking a hard look at their budgets, and so forth. In this new environment – which changes … [Read more...]