Fundraiser Education

GroundFloor Media Launches Series of Social Media Worskops
February 18, 2009

GroundFloor Media, Inc., a Denver-based public relations agency, today announced the new GroundFloor Social Media (GFsM) workshop series aimed at helping Colorado-based associations, nonprofits and government entities leverage social media in their marketing and fundraising campaigns. Called “Social Media: Getting in on the Ground Floor,” the series will offer personalized social media training and education at no cost.

Conference Roundup: The Today and Tomorrow of Fundraising
August 19, 2008

Every fundraiser’s task for the next few years is to navigate a path between traditional and emerging fundraising strategies. So says Frank O’Brien, president of the Washington, D.C.-based consultancy OMP, who gave the keynote presentation, “The Six Dynamics Shaping the Future of Fundraising,” at the 2008 New York Nonprofit Conference last week. “It’s heady stuff when you think about it,” O’Brien said. “We get to practice our craft in a remarkable period of transition. And our actions will help shape a whole new era of fundraising. “But along with that opportunity comes the challenge of living these next few years with

Speaking of Fundraising: The Anatomy of a Major-Gifts Ask
August 12, 2008

Henry Rosso, a legendary modern fundraising professional, created several working philosophies from his book, “Lessons from a Master’s Lifetime Experience.” One, people need and want to give, yet many do not know how, to whom or how much. Second, people should be able to give according to their means, their own interests and their own inclinations, without pressure. The decision should be theirs. Finally, solicitors should always focus on the mission and not on budgeted needs of the institution. The solicitation is the simple process of taking a concern and sharing that concern with another individual. Close your eyes and think about years

Conference Roundup: Get Uncomfortable
August 5, 2008

Being wrong just might be the rightest thing you ever do. So says Jon Duschinsky, founder of Paris-based Bethechange Consulting. In his session, “Breaking Out of Your Creative Comfort Zone,” at the 2008 Bridge Conference in Washington, D.C., last month, Duschinsky said turning things upside down and not being afraid of making mistakes can put fundraisers on a new road to success. “Think about preparation for your next board meeting. Who’s prepared to make a mistake? The culture now is it’s not OK to be wrong,” Duschinsky said. “We get educated out of our creativity. It’s time to change.” Organizations should be investing

Conference Roundup: Women’s Giving
July 29, 2008

Here’s a shocker: Men and women think differently when it comes to charitable giving, says Sondra Shaw-Hardy, co-founder of the Women’s Philanthropy Institute at the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University. “We need to appreciate the differences in gender and understand the importance of women in philanthropy,” Shaw-Hardy said at her session, “Women’s Philanthropy: Emerging Trends and Strategies,” at the 2008 Bridge Conference, held last week in Washington, D.C. Traditional methods of donor connection, strategies for asking and stewardship are changing — with women’s giving leading the way, Shaw-Hardy said. “Women have a lot of financial power now, and will have a

Webinar on Multichannel Fundraising
July 22, 2008

No matter how you feel about any particular fundraising strategy — love direct mail … hate telefundraising … hot for Web-based stuff — there’s no denying that true fundraising success comes from the seamless integration of strategies and techniques. In FundRaising Success’ July webinar, Jono Smith, director of marketing for Network for Good, talks with a pair of nonprofits about their successful multichannel campaigns and offers tips on how you can re-create their success. Join Jono and other fundraising professionals at 2 p.m. on July 30 as they examine the value of the multipronged approach to fundraising, tips on consistent messaging and creative, and

FS Gold Awards Deadline Extended to July 21
July 15, 2008

The deadline for FundRaising Success’ fourth annual Gold Awards for Fundraising Excellence is fast approaching! Cut-off for entries has been extended to July 21. You can find the entry form here. The categories will be pretty much the same as last year, with some minor changes. Categories are: * Direct Mail: Acquisition (50,000 or more mailed) * Direct Mail: Acquisition (Fewer than 50,000 mailed) * Direct Mail: Renewal (50,000 or more mailed) * Direct Mail: Renewal (Fewer than 50,000 mailed) * Special Appeal * Package of the Year: The highest overall points-getter from among the other direct-mail winners * Grand Control of the

FS Gold Awards Deadline Extended to July 21
July 8, 2008

The deadline for FundRaising Success’ fourth annual Gold Awards for Fundraising Excellence is fast approaching! Cut-off for entries has been extended to July 21. You can find the entry form here. The categories will be pretty much the same as last year, with some minor changes. Categories are: * Direct Mail: Acquisition (50,000 or more mailed) * Direct Mail: Acquisition (Fewer than 50,000 mailed) * Direct Mail: Renewal (50,000 or more mailed) * Direct Mail: Renewal (Fewer than 50,000 mailed) * Special Appeal * Package of the Year: The highest overall points-getter from among the other direct-mail winners * Grand Control of the

Time to Turn in Your Gold Award Entries
June 24, 2008

The deadline for FundRaising Success’ fourth annual Gold Awards for Fundraising Excellence is fast approaching! Cut-off for entries is July 11. You can find the entry form here. The categories will be pretty much the same as last year, with some minor changes. Categories are: * Direct Mail: Acquisition (50,000 or more mailed) * Direct Mail: Acquisition (Fewer than 50,000 mailed) * Direct Mail: Renewal (50,000 or more mailed) * Direct Mail: Renewal (Fewer than 50,000 mailed) * Special Appeal * Package of the Year: The highest overall points-getter from among the other direct-mail winners * Grand Control of the Year: Chosen from

Time to Turn in Your Gold Award Entries
June 17, 2008

The deadline for FundRaising Success’ fourth annual Gold Awards for Fundraising Excellence is fast approaching! Cut-off for entries is July 11. You can find the entry form here. The categories will be pretty much the same as last year, with some minor changes. Categories are: * Direct Mail: Acquisition (50,000 or more mailed) * Direct Mail: Acquisition (Fewer than 50,000 mailed) * Direct Mail: Renewal (50,000 or more mailed) * Direct Mail: Renewal (Fewer than 50,000 mailed) * Special Appeal * Package of the Year: The highest overall points-getter from among the other direct-mail winners * Grand Control of the Year: Chosen from