Monthly Giving

Get Rid of Silos for Your (Monthly) Donors’ Sake!
January 15, 2018 at 12:08 pm

Hard to believe, but it’s been almost 25 years since I became a fundraiser, working for a large nonprofit, managing its monthly donor program. At the time, the development department consisted of someone responsible for donor appeals, another for acquisition of new donors and someone for major donors...

Is Your Monthly Donor Tax-Letter Ready?
January 8, 2018 at 12:45 pm

Happy New Year! I hope you had some time to share with family and friends or just relax. I had a wonderful holiday and finally got to hang those pictures I had been meaning to hang in my office for months! That took care of at least one new year’s resolution...

Frequently Asked Questions About Tax Letters for Monthly Donors
December 18, 2017 at 11:03 am

First off, I hope that this is going to be a somewhat quiet week leading up to Christmas or other holidays you may be celebrating. I am very ready for a few quiet days catching up on my reading and my favorite Christmas movies!...

Say ‘Thank You,’ Why Don’t You?
December 11, 2017 at 12:09 pm

A few weeks ago, I shared how I made 20 online donations on Black Friday. For some, this was a repeat donation; for others, it was my first. Of course, all organizations sent me an auto-responder message and a “thank you” email message. So far, so good...

What Would St. Nick Say?
December 4, 2017 at 11:32 am

Consider starting the new year off right with another new tradition: Ask your donors (especially those who gave smaller amounts over the holidays) to consider giving monthly. St. Nick says that’s a tradition worth introducing or expanding in your organization...

Don’t Forget to Test Before You Send
November 27, 2017 at 10:40 am

On Black Friday, I sat down behind my computer and made donations to some 20 organizations. The same amount for each. Some I already donate to monthly, and some I only give to this time of year...

Gobble, Gobble: Grateful for Sustainers
November 20, 2017 at 12:17 pm

I’m one of those people who refuses to go shopping on Black Friday. Instead, that’s the day I sit behind my computer and make donations to the organizations I care about. I’ll make single gifts to most and new monthly gifts to some. The good news is that the list is growing!...

Nothing Is Impossible If You Just Believe
November 13, 2017 at 11:13 am

Every year, the military base theater near us (Joint Base Cape Cod) organizes the annual Christmas tree lighting. It’s a fun event, with hot cocoa, peppermint sticks and a short visit of Santa, of course! As a military spouse myself (married to a 32-year Airforce veteran), we love our little theater, and this event is…

Warning: Minimal Stress Involved
November 6, 2017 at 11:37 am

Yes, it’s true! Prime giving season is here. Everybody is on high alert. Printers are buzzing. Letter shops are stuffing appeals in overtime. Email drafts for #GivingTuesday and December are flying left and right...