Almost Everything I Know About Fundraising I Learned From Christmas Carols

Angels We Have Heard on High
Excellent fundraisers are like angels singing out their wonderful news for the world to hear. They sing it sweetly and with gusto, because they know they're changing the world. The other kind of fundraisers — the ones who mutter their message under their breath because they're embarrassed to ask for money? They don't do so well.

Anyway, the Archangel Gabriel is the patron saint of postal workers. So there's a real connection.

Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly
It's usually smart to deck your fundraising messages with boughs of holly or other corny holiday decorations this time of year. Really, you can hardly go wrong with holiday putz.

Frosty the Snowman
In this song, a pile of snow, a carrot, some pieces of coal and a hat are magically transformed into a living being. In fundraising, paper, ink and postage stamps are magically transformed into good deeds. It's just as magic! We should be just as thrilled as we would be by a walking, singing snowman (and considerably less creeped out).

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Never forget that as Christmas is to the gentlemen of the song, fundraising is "tidings of comfort and joy" to donors. They love to give. They want to be involved. You are your donors' friend; it's nothing to be dismayed about sending out fundraising messages.

O Come All Ye Faithful
No matter what your cause, it's largely the Faithful — folks who practice their faith — who are showing up and supporting you. Work with that fact, and not against it, for best fundraising results.