Let’s face it: big gifts move the needle. Direct mail is fine, and, yes, every gift is meaningful. But think about truly advancing the mission of your organization. Do $100 checks have the power to take you to a new, better place? How much time and money do you spend pursuing $100 checks? And are you as intentional and systematic when it comes to your major gifts program? You can be. Yes, we’re going to talk about getting you more big … [Read more...] about Building Your Major Gifts Pipeline
Have asking anxiety? Do these 5 things.
I had a hard time falling asleep the night before my first ask. My brain was in overdrive: What am I going to say? How will he react? There were also a thousand “what if?” scenarios I didn’t feel prepared to deal with. In hindsight, the stakes weren’t very high. But that didn’t matter. I had just been promoted to my first frontline fundraising role and this was my very first ask. I think it was for $2,500. Asking people to give their money … [Read more...] about Have asking anxiety? Do these 5 things.
Fearless 2016
I hope the early days of 2016 have been treating you well! And I hope your New Year’s resolutions are holding up. Last week, everyone at my office steered clear of the leftover holiday candy—pretty impressive. I tend to make more New Year’s resolutions than I can actually keep—or even remember over 12 months. Even if I only stick with one or two of them, I suppose I’m still better off in some way. Have you given much thought to your … [Read more...] about Fearless 2016
Cultivating with Holiday Cards
Well, it’s that time of year again. December brings the holiday season and peak fundraising season all at once. Organizations around the globe are working on their annual holiday card mailings. You know the one—generic card, lots of fuss over the list, more fuss over which ones the president will sign, anxiety over who may have been left out. And, at the end of the day, zero fundraising results. If you’re part of this process, my apologies. … [Read more...] about Cultivating with Holiday Cards
Cultivation #4 – The Questions to Ask
“Top performing gift officers always know ‘where their prospects are’ in relation to making a gift. Many reach the point of becoming a trusted philanthropic advisor for their donors.” That’s a quote from John Glier of Grenzebach Glier and Associates. He was giving a talk about research his firm had done on top performing gift officers – those consistently raising $1M+ a year. Becoming a donor’s trusted philanthropic advisor is a privileged … [Read more...] about Cultivation #4 – The Questions to Ask