Laurence Pagnoni

Approximately one out of every three dollars in annual giving is donated during the month of December.

In light of recent events, I thought this was a good time to talk about political — and apolitical — fundraising.

Year-end giving is upon us. As you brainstorm for essential messaging, here are six messages to share with donors.

There is no harm in making a hard choice to skip Giving Tuesday.

The second year-end appeal letter is focused on donors who have not yet responded to the first appeal. The donor should receive the second letter on December 26. It is critical that you update your database daily as the mail comes in.

As you write a new donor appeal letter (or email), close your eyes and see the donor. See their smile, speak their name, blink at them and make it real.

How much is the year-end goal that are you raising? Also, what percentage of those funds are part of your whole budget? State these facts as a way to inform the donor about how their gift fits into the whole.

The most lucrative fundraising months of the year are now upon us: September through year-end. The heat is on. Are you ready?

On the heels of celebrating Labor Day, don’t forget to include yourself as a fundraiser. What you do as a fundraiser brings quality education to inner-city students that need it most. It improves a local animal shelter, where pet adoptions give animals a second chance and make families whole.

The three dreaded words for grant officers, “Do not apply — DNA.” They appear on private foundation profiles more often these days than ever before. Most annoying is that the funder seems particularly aligned with your mission. “If I could only get close to them, I would know the perfect thing to say,” you tell your CEO.

Monthly giving is clearly a solution to securing increased giving within your annual fund. One-time giving decreased by 2%. But monthly giving increased by 17% and represents 16% of all online revenue. What are your current stats for monthly giving? I ask because whatever they are, strive to double them...

Fundraising drives with sizzling names raise more money. It’s a statistical fact. The name of your campaign, annual drive or new program should be dynamic and memorable, and convey your values to donors and funders, and the passionate impact you seek...

Are you using the same thank-you letter repeatedly? If so, that needs to change. Instead, add elements that make your letters unique to your nonprofit and update the letter frequently...

Legitimacy is based upon respect through association. It’s similar to the way a prospective employer checks an applicant’s job references. A leadership council is a group of people who effectively say through their association, “We’ve checked this group’s references, and they’re solid.”...

There are three critical periods in the fundraiser’s annual calendar that you should know about. They are as follows: Period I: The January Surprise, Period II: Summertime and Period III: Year-End...