A Donor Performance Report Delivers a Practical & Relational Gift

A Donor Performance Report Delivers a Practical & Relational Gift

by | Aug 14, 2023 | , , , , , , | Communication, Donor Conversation, Donor Visits, Meaningful Connections, Relationships, Reporting Back, Structure

You’re headed out to a handful of donor meetings. You’ve done your research, thought through open-ended questions you want to ask, and identified the next step in your journey of building a relationship of trust. And you’ve come prepared with information on the...
Ask Your Donors for Gifts That Are Soul Filling

Ask Your Donors for Gifts That Are Soul Filling

by | Jun 23, 2023 | , , | Asking, Communication, Donor Conversation, Permission-Based Asking, Transformational Gift

In my last blog, I talked about how to me, summer is space. Space for many things, including cleaning out mindsets that can get in your way. Mindsets like those that limit you from asking donors for increases or significant gifts. If you haven’t had a chance to go...
The Worst Way to Start a Conversation with a Donor

The Worst Way to Start a Conversation with a Donor

by | Apr 10, 2023 | , , , , | Communication, Donor Conversation, Fundraising, Impact, Major Gifts

The worst way to start a conversation with a qualified donor on your caseload is to bring up any topic related to money. Like… After a gift: “We received your gift of X yesterday. Wow, that was an amazing and generous gift! Thank you.” Before an ask or leading into an...
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

by | Mar 22, 2023 | , , , , , | Asking, Communication, Cultivation, Curiousity, Donor Conversation, Permission-Based Asking, Philanthropy, Planned giving

“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...
Your Donor Says No… What Then?

Your Donor Says No… What Then?

by | May 31, 2024 | , , , , | Asking, Communication, Donor Conversation, Donor-Centered, Facilitation, Overcoming Objections, Permission-Based Asking

We’ve all had it happen. You’re meeting with a donor to talk through a proposal for a major gift. When you ask for the gift, the donor says “no.” It can be disheartening to hear this, but objections from donors are actually gifts that help you stay aligned with what...