February 17, 2015
Why your event is worth more than just the money it raisesEvents are a key component of many nonprofit organizations’ annual development plans. The most successful events are strategic in nature and focus on building community to advance an organization’s mission. At this year’s NCDC Conference, Chris Bicknell and Timi Paccioretti from Little Green Light and…
Read ArticleJanuary 4, 2015
How to awaken the sleeping giants in your donor databaseBy Erica Waasdorp, President of A Direct Solution and author of Monthly Giving - The Sleeping Giant. In this guest blog post, Erica Waasdorp, author of Monthly Giving - The Sleeping Giant, provides 6 tips to awaken the sleeping giants in your donor database: Monthly…
Read ArticleJanuary 4, 2015
How to get ready for a spectacular year-end fundraising appealYear-end appeals are just around the corner, and we're pleased to offer some helpful tips from LGL Affiliate, Felicia Terry, about how you can be prepared for the biggest gift giving time of the year. By Felicia G. Terry - Principal Specialist, Nonprofit Software Specialists, LLC…
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 ArticleJanuary 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…
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