Do You Know the Deepest Longing of Your Donor?

Do You Know the Deepest Longing of Your Donor?

Every human being on the face of the earth – no matter what race or gender, no matter what country or culture – every human being wants to know that they matter to someone else, to the group they are in, to their place and standing on the planet. Ask yourself the...
Why Your Donor Doesn’t Talk About Their End-of-Life Charitable Plans

Why Your Donor Doesn’t Talk About Their End-of-Life Charitable Plans

“How many of your donors have made a planned gift?” A question like this, or really anything related to “planned giving,” strikes terror into your heart and the hearts of every other fundraiser I know, especially those who are not planned giving officers. The concept...
Have You Tried Being a Donor?

Have You Tried Being a Donor?

Have you experienced how it feels to give your money to a mission you care deeply about, but then you never hear back about the difference it made? It can make you feel invisible and not connected meaningfully to that organization. I recently wrote a blog about...
What Journalism Can Teach Us About Fundraising

What Journalism Can Teach Us About Fundraising

One of the best things we can do for ourselves is look at how someone else is doing their work and explore how to apply it to what we do in fundraising. Take asking questions, for example. Most fundraisers consider themselves able to have a congenial conversation with...
Are You Making Up Stories About How Your Donor Doesn’t Want to Hear from You?

Are You Making Up Stories About How Your Donor Doesn’t Want to Hear from You?

I’m going to go out on a limb and say that most frontline fundraisers don’t know their donor’s communication preferences, and they don’t like reaching out to donors personally. I know, I know… you probably think I’m losing it, but from all the years of working with...