Navigating Off the Napkin: 75 Nonprofit Fundraising Posts Later

Almost exactly two years ago, I wrote my first blog post. Here's an excerpt from that first post: "Are you looking for a blog that focuses on the industry through the rear-view mirror? Are you looking for a blog that provides tactics on how to be a better fundraiser and what items can be tested in your next mailing? Well - the bad news is that this may not be the blog for you ...

"There are some amazing blogs out there for nonprofit marketers and fundraisers to help with programs and campaigns. This blog is going to put an interesting twist on all of this. Whether you are someone who has been around a long time — or someone who is up and coming in the industry — we can all agree the need for fundamental change in how we do our jobs is critical for success in the future. We also can probably agree there are a lot of great ideas, visions and discussions about this — but not a lot of action. Navigating Off the Napkin is about just that — let's stop talking and pontificating about change and let's start doing it. Let's move those conversations off the 'back of the napkin' and start creating real change in the industry ...

"... As an industry, we owe it to all of our critical missions to have the best strategies and tactics in place within our donor programs. But, as organizations, we owe it to our donors to provide better experiences and communicate in a way that builds and prioritizes relationships.

"Let me warn you — if the words 'experience' and 'relationships' make you roll your eyes or make you uncomfortable, consider this a personal, special invitation for you to not just read the blog but participate with me and provide your point of view through comments and even through being a guest author. This blog is not going to be completely comfortable for everyone — but it is going to bring up topics that must be talked about."