Aaron Dorfman

You probably don’t need to be convinced of just how important storytelling is to successful fundraising. It goes without saying.

It’s a fact. Saying “thank you” is key to building strong relationships, and that includes donor relationships. Research by Penelope Burk and others affirms the positive correlation between effective thanking strategies and long-term donor value…

You’ve no doubt observed firsthand the power of nonprofit storytelling in your efforts to convey the importance and urgency of your cause. And while there are many resources available to guide you in the art of nonprofit storytelling, I find it useful to remember three overarching “musts.”…

You’re focused on inspiring donors to give today, right?  It’s not surprising. It’s how we’re wired as fundraisers. Our organizations are tackling urgent needs, and we’re held accountable to make those budget numbers!…

Let’s say you’ve been asked to write the year-end appeal for your organization. Now you’re staring at that proverbial blank sheet of paper or more likely, the new (and wordless) document you’ve opened on your computer. You feel the pressure mounting …And now what do you do?…

June 30, 2009 — The National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP) is pleased that the Philanthropy Roundtable is contributing to the dialogue in our sector about the public’s role in private philanthropy. The monograph they recently published, How Public is Private Philanthropy: Separating Myth from Reality, explores many critically important issues and adds to ongoing discussions. Unfortunately, the authors asked the wrong questions and their conclusions miss the mark.