Tag: Fundraising
Go Pro Or Go Home
Being professional does not mean being stilted or stodgy, but it does mean comporting oneself in a manner that dignifies the proposition being made to the donor. Whoever solicits for a worthy cause – be it a volunteer or a paid fundraiser – becomes the face of that cause to the donor.
Don’t Hide Your Hand From Your Donors
Donors have the right to know an organization’s mission, how it intends to use unrestricted funds, and whether or not it has the capability to follow through on its promises.
Thou Shalt Not Kiss-Off Donor Intent
Alumni/Development work is always and everywhere about relationships. Relationships take time to build and are based on trust. Building trust by honoring donor intent might seem like good old-fashioned common sense. The problem is, common sense isn’t so common anymore.
Alumni Relations and Icebergs: The Hidden Makings of Success
Engaged alumni, a thriving annual fund, regular major gifts, these are all highly visible signs of a healthy alumni/development program. The reality, though, is that the vast majority of what makes these successes happen lies behind the scenes where no one can see. Much like an iceberg, the bulk of what drives institutional advancement is largely hidden from view.
3 Headline Templates for Optimizing Fundraising Appeals
Donors only spend a few precious seconds scanning fundraising appeals. It is critical that eye-catching headlines and call-out text be crafted in a way that communicates the essence of the message. Here are three templates to help make the most of your headlines.
5 Alumni Engagement Strategies for When Tragedy Strikes
Alumni/Development work is all about relationships. Good alumni engagment after a disaster strikes is all about being responsive to the needs of the moment.
Before Your Next Appeal Goes Out, Check the “You” Factor
Appeal letters are at their best when the language focuses heavily on the donor’s need to know that he or she is the only one who can make a difference in that moment. Too many refernces to “us” and “we” redirect attention back to the organization, attenuating the importance of the donor’s role.
Gone in 20 Seconds: Grabbing Attention in Direct Mail Appeals
Over 90% of potential readers never open the envelope. The more that writers understand about how readers engage with direct mail appeals, the better chance they have of maximizing open rates.
How a Gift Range Chart Can Reveal Gaps in Your Donor Base
Gift range charts are invaluable tools that can help drive fundrasing appeals throughout the year. One can see clearly how many gifts are needed at each level, and how many prospects are needed for each gift. There is one often-overlooked benefit, however, and that is their ability to reveal gaps in your donor base.
3 Reasons To Not Give Up on the Phone Just Yet
Annual phon-a-thon appeals have witnessed declining success rates for quite awhile now, but there are still some good reasons to continue doing them.
5 Reasons Why Every Campus Needs a Centralized Fundraising Approval Process
Student groups and campus organizations can and should be encouraged to participate in fundraising, as it helps foster a culture of philanthropy and extends the reach of the development team. It is vitally important, however, that a centralized process for approving and monitoring fundraisers be put in place. Here is why.
What Gets Read First In Direct Mail Appeals
Direct mail appeals are unlike other forms of writing, and people do not read them the way they would other correspndence. Are you including a P.S. line in all your direct mail appeals? If you are not, you need to. Here is why…
3 Things No Social Media Toolkit Should Be Without
Many alumni and friends are ready to help spread the word about your next online giving day, but in order for them to be effective, you must provide them with the right guidance and tools.
