Fall fundraising season may feel far away, but the organizations that thrive at year-end are usually planning long before September arrives. That’s because strong fundraising results rarely happen by accident. They come from: Clarity about priorities, Discipd use of time, and Realistic understanding of resources needed to grow contributed income. Too many nonprofit professionals operate…
Details
When every day feels like the world is on fire, how much can one actually plan? Very valid question! Whether or not one wants to accept what is going on, feeling that the foundation is shifting beneath us is a constant. This means acknowledging the heartbreak and rage one may feel about destructive budget cuts…
DetailsI cannot tell you how many times I begin a consultation with a small nonprofit, only to discover they have no real donor database (to collect and store data) or CRM (to effectively manage donor relationships).
They’re still using Excel or Filemaker or something that was developed for the program or finance department many moons ago.
I also find many nonprofits do have a decent fundraising database, but aren’t really using it to their advantage.
It’s the equivalent of having a 747; then using it to drive down the block to the corner store.
If you’re not exactly maximizing the resources you have, or if you simply don’t have the resources you need, it’s going to adversely affect your fundraising results.
Today we live not only in an era of ‘Big Data,’ but in one in which much of this data is AI-enabled. Which means understanding why data is important, what data is most meaningful to you, and how to prioritize data collection and evaluation strategies to help you reach your goals has never been more important.
If your nonprofit fundraising and marketing strategy is not currently undergirded by data — whether AI-empowered or not yet — I guarantee you’re missing opportunities, working inefficiently and leaving money on the table.
Could you use a bit of guidance?
Read on…
Details
How do you get everyone on your team working collaboratively? If you could you stand to improve the way your nonprofit staff work together as a team, I’ve got some terrific strategies for you. I first learned about them from How to Collaborate with and Influence People Using the SCARF Model, by Martin Luenendonk, CEO…
Details
New Year; New You (ish)? I happened across an article from a NYT feature called “The Morning,” wherein the writer asked readers for the best advice they’d received over the past 12 months. Of course, there were plenty of the expected tips like “Drink water;” “Don’t go to bed angry,” and “Exercise daily.” You…
Details
Think AI is cold, complicated, or not for fundraisers? Think again. I’ve experimented myself. Asking ChatGPT to draft an e. Or an out. Or a draft for a proposal. At first, I was unimpressed. The content was a bit generic, and often redundant. Citations were sometimes incorrect. The logic was questionable. And, of course, the…
Details
Are you planning to do, more or less, the same thing you did last year for your year-end annual fundraising push?
I mean things like:
I was moved to write this article after attending an excellent local production of Stephen Sondheim’s “Sunday in the Park with George.” I found it surprisingly moving, especially the final musical number: “Move on.” And, being me, I was able to relate it to something I find all too common in nonprofit work.
It’s something insidious. Something that kills innovation and inexorably drains spirits.
It’s almost a disease.
DetailsIn a world speeding toward automation, authentic human relationships are becoming a rare — and priceless — asset. Imagine you’re on a third date with someone you really like. You’ve taken them to your favorite restaurant — the one you take your mom to when she’s in town. But instead of Louis, the sommelier who…
Details
Let’s flip the script. This week, you’re not the fundraiser—you’re the donor.
For five easy, eye-opening days, you’ll experience your organization the way your supporters do: what they see, how they feel, and what might be turning them off (or winning them over). It’s a chance to spark fresh insights, fine-tune your approach, and build a more donor-centered experience—without adding anything major to your to-do list. Let’s go!
Before you can see your organization through a donor’s eyes, you need to know where they’re looking. Begin by making a list of all the ways a potential donor might interact with your organization. First impressions matter—and so do second, third, and tenth ones. Every touchpoint is a chance to build trust (or lose it).
To get you started, here are some common places your donor might encounter you:
Jot down every possible entry point—even the ones that seem small.
These are the windows into your world, and this week, we’re going to peek through them all.
Today, you’re a stranger—someone who just heard about your organization and decided to check it out. Open your website as if you’re visiting it for the very first time. What do you see? What do you feel?
Here’s your checklist:
Details
When the world feels wildly out of whack, it’s time to figure out how to bring things back into some semblance of balance.
Today I share a proven 1-2-3 formula for nonprofit fundraising success — even when the ground underneath feels shaky.
This is a time when keeping one’s balance is quite a challenge. But, if you use this formula, you can steady yourself, right your organizational ship, and bring meaning, purpose and joy to others in your community who share your values.
What I’m about to share is obvious. I know you know it. But… do you do it?
Just in case you need a little reminder.
I’m talking about balancing self-love with donor-love with mission-love.
You’re no doubt familiar with the adage “You can’t help others unless you first take care of yourself.”
This is a truism you should carry with you throughout your life, and not just when the oxygen masks come down on an airplane. It’s never been truer than in the times in which we’re currently living, when there are new things about which to worry seemingly daily.
How do you lead the way forward, helping yourself and others navigate through the tough times?
I’d like to suggest you heed this 3-Step Formula to nonprofit fundraising success.
Details