Relying on multiple fundraising “products” gives your income—and thus, your program funding—more stability. So how do you select your product mix?
Read MoreTag: Program
Make The Nonprofit Program Person Your Best Friend
Without a close and cooperative relationship with your nonprofit organization’s program person you, as a major gifts officer, cannot succeed. Program holds the key to information that is critical to the offers you construct for your donor.
Read MoreYou Can Teach an Old Dog Major Gifts Tricks
I believe you can teach old dogs new major gifts tricks if you are focused and willing to learn. Use every opportunity for growth, and continually practice your craft. In today’s world of fundraising, status quo is not an option!
Read MoreHow to Sabotage (or Save) Your Major Gifts Program
Everybody knows that emphasizing major gifts can turn the development offices into money-raising machines, if we can just get a major gifts program rolling. But there’s one killer mistake that sabotages too many major gifts efforts.
Read MoreThe 3 Most Boring Words in Fundraising Appeals
Today I’m sharing with you the three most overused, most boring and least useful words ever to be used in fundraising appeals.
Read MoreFundraising With LEGOs
Instead of fitting donors to your programs, focus upon creating a seamless path for donors to grow in your organization. Identify and reinforce those donor values that support your efforts. Help your investors to give as it is appropriate for them. Encourage them to invest as it fits their particular situations in life — whether that’s general cash giving, higher cash giving, gifts of assets (“major gifts”), planned gifts (simply “major gifts” that have an additional external donor motive along with a deferred payment schedule) or even through a capital campaign.
Read MoreWhy Most Fundraising Campaigns Are Long-Term Failures
By definition a campaign is a short-term event. There is a specific project and a time-limited, specific goal. And that’s where, in most cases, the problem starts. I say “most cases” because I have met some fundraisers who have this right.
Read More10 Steps to Starting A Major-Gifts Program
Doing major gifts right is a long and tedious process, and involves a lot of steps — steps that if not followed will undermine the major-gifts officer’s ability to raise money.
Read MoreBoundaries and Focus: The Frustrating Path Toward Success
When someone wants to speak truth into your life, run toward it and embrace it! It is a gift, not a constraint. It will help you, not hurt you. It will make you better.
Read MoreStayed Focused on Your Priorities
As you look at your fundraising program, and priorities, always keep a focus on what you can do with excellence versus what has to get done — and when. Don’t be afraid to make tough calls — it may even have you thinking of new and better ways to accomplish your goals.
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