February 13, 2023
Awesome stewardship ideas that will wow your donorsWith year-end almost upon us, it’s time to start thinking about your stewardship plans for next year. You’ve undoubtedly been putting plans in place to take advantage of what is typically the biggest gift giving month of the year (December, that is!). By also having…
Read ArticleDecember 12, 2019
6 ways to show extra appreciation to your donorsLooking to show some extra appreciation to your most ardent donors? In this post, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite ways to let your donors know how much your organization appreciates their generosity. A Day in the Life Put together a day-in-the-life piece to send…
Read ArticleFebruary 8, 2018
5 meaningful ways to show extra love to your donors Years ago, I worked at a small historic house museum. The staff consisted of the executive director and me, both working part-time. We juggled the varied tasks of fundraising, leading visitors on tours of the house, caring for historic objects, and making sure the…
Read ArticleDecember 17, 2015
3 quick tips for writing donor-centered thank you lettersYour appeal has been mailed, and now the donations are arriving. It’s time to thank your donors! Use this opportunity to craft a donor-centered thank you letter so your supporters feel great about their donation and are inspired to give again. Here are three tips…
Read ArticleDecember 4, 2015
Pertinent, personal, and prompt: the keys to acknowledging gifts6 Steps to a Successful Appeal : Part five of a six-part series Good practices in gift acknowledgment and accounting have a beneficial effect on your donor relationships. To ensure that donors understand the value and your appreciation of their gift to your organization, it's…
Read ArticleJanuary 4, 2015
Do you survey your donors?I recently donated to the International Rescue Committee, and today I received an envelope with the phrase on the outside that said: "Donor Preferences Survey Enclosed." What a great way to follow up with a new donor. What got me to open the letter was…
Read ArticleJanuary 4, 2015
Boost your fundraising with a month-to-month planMany of my development colleagues work in small nonprofit organizations and look for, as do I, great ideas that can be implemented quickly and easily to boost fundraising outcomes. With the largest gift giving period coming up in a few short months (more than 30…
Read ArticleJune 9, 2014
How to personalize your solicitation letters6 Steps to a Successful Appeal: Part four of a six-part series Utilizing the personal information you've collected and maintained in your database about your constituents is vital throughout your annual giving campaign. Each step in a comprehensive annual giving campaign is dependent on having…
Read ArticleJune 9, 2014
Make a stewardship plan to improve fundraising resultsAs you develop your annual giving program, it’s important to incorporate multiple touch points throughout the year to effectively engage your constituents in your mission. The goal of your cultivation and stewardship plan is to have your constituents invest in your mission, and ensure that…
Read ArticleJune 9, 2014
Why fundraising is a shared responsibilityI recently attended the NCEA Conference in Boston, MA, and was inspired by a really insightful session given by Mary Schaefer, titled The Changing World of Fundraising. Here are some of the key take-aways: Fundraising and donor cultivation have historically been seen as the sole…
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