Creative

I recently recalled this great Easier Said Than Done column by Jeff Brooks from April 2009 and the equally great response from a reader that appeared in July of that year. First, the column, "When PC Equals BS" ... then the response, "We Are Not Afraid to Say 'Leprosy'"

This little element on the outer envelope just struck me as clever, and seems somehow more immediate and real than merely including a note saying basically that someone, somewhere will match your gift.

In the December 2007 issue, columnist Jeff Brooks, then creative director at Merkle and now creative director at TrueSense Marketing, provided four steps to give your newsletter maximum positive impact with donors in his column, "The Better Newsletter."

This April 2008 column by Jeff Brooks, "Six Bad Habits of Ineffective Fundraisers," addresses issues that are as true today as they were then.

In his career, Jerold Panas has helped a diverse range of organizations raise an estimated $11 billion. He recently spoke with his publisher about the state of fundraising today and the lessons he has learned throughout his career. GuideStar has published excerpts from Panas's books and is pleased to be able to share his additional thoughts with you.

According to the science of persuasion, based on research by Dr. Robert Cialdini, there are six principles that can be used to make you more persuasive. These principles apply to anything really, but for our work let’s look at how they apply to fundraising — specifically end of year fundraising.

No matter what Congress does, there will always be a desire in human beings to make a difference. As long as you don't become hopeless, you can help people respond to the high and good within themselves. People will always want to be remembered. There will always be individuals who are willing to step up when there's a need, because it is in giving that we receive. (Thank you, St. Francis of Assisi.)

Jean Haynes is an experienced donor and consultant who works with a wide range of nonprofit organizations, especially educational institutions. She loves helping nonprofit leaders and boards achieve their fundraising goals so they can change more lives. In this video, she shares three things you can do to draw your donors closer.

It can be hard to get the OK to use humor, especially when it deviates significantly from your organization's usual tone or it's the first time. It's tough but worth the effort.

Through close observation, fundraisers have discovered three "Design Laws" — practices that, if we follow them well, encourage our fundraising messages to bear fruit. Those laws are: Make it plain; make it corny; make it obvious.