Donor Segments

We are working with a client with several high net-worth board members who have been donors, but not at a level commensurate with their giving capacity. This organization is moving from a focus on special events—where their annual giving was a program of event sponsorships—to a relationship-based culture of philanthropy. The reality is that while…

You must understand you have a unique personality and traits. Like dating, everyone is different and all of us relate differently to the staff, volunteers, prospects, donors and others we meet. Some will connect to us and some will not connect to us. In all cases, you need to be professional, honest, ethical, institutionally driven, have high expectations and persevere...

When is a donor-cultivation event more about building your organization’s profile than it is about fundraising? How can you be sure that your “friendraiser” is actually moving you towards the achievement of your fundraising goals? Events can be great fun, excellent for networking and for catching up with people in the community, but sometimes I…

Do you have a plan in place to meet your year-end fundraising goals? Just imagine: The average nonprofit raises more than 40 percent of its annual revenue during the last quarter of the calendar year. Start getting ready for year-end fundraising with the following tips you can start implementing now...

Eighteen nonprofits from all sectors came together for two days to discuss mid-level giving. Here’s what they say is mandatory for measuring success...

Creating a donor profile is one of the most illuminating things you’ll ever do—and my first step in working with most new clients. It’s only when you truly can envision the individual you’re writing to that you’ll find your overall writing—from your appeals, to your emails, to your website copy—will take on a deeper, more personal approach...

Fundraising involves a lot of asks. But not every ask needs to be a big one. The reality is, timed and designed right, tiny asks can reap big rewards for your development efforts. In fact, I think they’re actually one of the best kept secrets of successful donor retention. There are, essentially, two types of…

The better you get at asking for major gifts before you plan a capital campaign, the more successful your campaign is likely to be. And, of course, the more money you’ll raise year-in and year-out. Here are three tips to keep in mind when approaching a donor for a big gift...

How often do you find yourself guessing about your donors? What do they want from you? What makes them feel engaged? What will make them give and give again? To find these answers, start by asking where your prospective donors live. By collecting this seemingly insignificant piece of data, you can create more-targeted fundraising campaigns,…

A lot of marketers see Millennial customers as a sort of gold rush. Last year, they reportedly spent 500 percent more on advertising targeted at Millennials than all other age groups combined. Do I detect some herd mentality? Millennials are better customers for certain things than others: outdoor gear, music, electronics. But big picture? Not…