That’s how many nonprofits view the topic of grants. But foundation-grant seeking is a strategic process, not a one-time grant submission. So, how does the nonprofit organization that is brand new to grant seeking begin laying the groundwork for successful foundation-grant funding? Begin by following these basics...
Caring for, nurturing and developing relationships with your donors is what major-gift fundraising is all about. If you do that well, the money will follow. Providing your donors with amazing service will set you apart from all the other charities that are clamoring for your donors. Make no mistake; as much as you may not want to think about it, you are competing for the attention of your donors with dozens of other organizations.
It's important to project where you believe your prospect research efforts will need to concentrate. Although we can’t claim to predict the future, we can propose some theories about the future of prospect research. Here are three prospect research trends to consider...
On Dec. 14, I mailed checks for $25 to 19 nonprofits. Then, I mailed $25 checks on Dec. 31 to an additional four organizations that I have supported for several years. Despite all the arguments I have heard defending the need to save money by not receipting donors (or at least not donors under a certain threshold, often $50), I simply cannot support that cost-saving measure.
Successful nonprofit development (both fundraising and marketing) is all about persuasion. One of my favorite books is Daniel Pink’s To Sell is Human. His premise is that we’re all in "sales" on a daily basis. Whether it’s simply trying to get your kids up and out the door in the morning or persuading your boss to give you a raise, you’re constantly coaxing people to induce a specific desired behavior....
We always try to make complex problems simple. To find out what are the questions that need answering. The problems that need solving. And break them down....
I am writing this blog in an airport, at the end of a six-day trip that included one crazy cabbie, one blizzard and two hotels that cancelled room service since its staff was snowbound. I opened a bottle of wine with a pair of tweezers and an ink pen. If you run a national peer-to-peer…
You’ve probably known someone in your life with the special gift of making you feel like you matter. Like you’re his or her “favorite.” That’s what donor-centered fundraising is all about. Your donors know that you couldn’t do it without them, that their support matters. Because you speak to them in that way that reminds them, each and every time, that they count...
As nonprofit fundraisers, we use many of the same channels as corporate brands and political candidates to reach our intended audiences, including direct mail, telemarketing, social media, emails, and offline and online advertising. Yet, there is one, relatively new fundraising approach that is experiencing great success: peer-to-peer (P2P) platforms....
I was talking to a very talented major gifts officer who had a long track record of success prior to his current assignment. I could tell he was very frustrated. And he felt misunderstood. To put it plainly, he could not get management to understand that without program information he would not be successful....
