January 4, 2015
How to use data to fundraise more efficientlyI had the pleasure of serving on a panel at the Northwest Development Officers Association annual winter conference in Seattle, WA. The panel discussion, titled Data Drives All, was about data and how nonprofits can use data effectively and how they can avoid some of the…
Read ArticleJuly 14, 2014
Top 10 Excel tips for nonprofitsHere are my go-to Excel techniques that, time and again, make my work easier, more efficient, and sometimes even fun! These tips are not exclusively for nonprofits, by any means; they are used in business all the time too. I've included links to help resources…
Read ArticleJune 18, 2014
Using Generations Theory to drive nonprofit fundraising strategiesWhat is Generations Theory? Basically, it’s the supposition that four types of generation in the United States have come into being in the past hundred years, each with a level of familiarity among its members as a result of having experienced the same formative events…
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
How to find your most passionate donorsIn a March 2012 interview conducted by Phyllis Freedman with Chuck Longfield, the founder of Target Analytics, these two veteran fundraisers discussed what kind of data can help you identify who is really passionate about your organization. Since passion leads to larger gifts and a…
Read ArticleJune 9, 2014
The pros and cons of special eventsIntro from LGL: Mission Advancement Professionals (MAP), a new affiliate of Little Green Light, specializes in relational fundraising. They help nonprofits with capital campaigns, annual giving, major gifts and more. They complement LGL nicely by taking fundraising to the next level, often starting with the…
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…
Read ArticleJune 9, 2014
Learn how to segment your annual campaignClick on image to watch a 2 minute video explanation. Introduction This pyramid represents a simple segmentation you can use when planning your annual appeals. The higher up in the pyramid, the more important the segment is in terms of reaching your fundraising goals. That’s…
Read ArticleJune 9, 2014
Can volunteers help your non-profit raise more money?Many development professionals work in small shops. Fortunately, you can increase your capacity by asking volunteers to take on leadership roles in your fundraising initiatives. The benefit? According to Penelope Burke, author of Donor Centered Fundraising, volunteers can have a powerful influence on donor retention and…
Read Article
