Sep
27
2024
Specific Amounts vs. Gift Ranges in Solicitations
The art of getting a gift from a solicitation visit is a delicate balance of strategy, psychology, and personalization. One key element that can make or...
Canvasser Training
May
03
2024
Top Ways to Blow an Ask
As a fundraiser, I have learned that asking for money is an art form. It requires a delicate balance of strategy, preparation, and understanding of the...
Jun
03
2022
Raise Funds: The Holy Trinity of Fundraising
To successfully raise funds, you must adhere to three principals. I wrote one of my very first posts about that here. I reinforced these three principals...
May
06
2022
5 Universal Truths About Fundraising
There are certain truths that have withstood the test of time regarding fundraising. These truths apply universally, regardless of the type of charity. From large to...
Nov
12
2021
Wise Words from Wise People
Every now and then, I have published some wise words (here, and here) that I have collected from others. Today is no different. Some of these...
Jan
03
2020
The Psychology of Fundraising
People often ask me if I have a degree in business because I am a fundraiser. Well, I have a degree in Statistics with a minor...
Oct
25
2019
What are we (Marketing) Asking for?
I admit that I am not a marketer. (I happen to have worked alongside great marketers, however.) Marketing is a highly-honed skill set that often works...
Sep
20
2019
How Much to Ask For?
This is probably the most complicated question out there for fundraisers. How much to ask for is almost like a budget — odds are better than...
Feb
15
2019
Never Ask for Feedback you don’t Want to Hear
So many of us ask people a myriad of questions in the form of feedback, every day without actually realizing the implications. It has become almost...
Jan
18
2019
Pick up the Phone and MAKE THE CALL
So much has changed in the almost 25-years since I entered this profession. My first campaign had pledge forms filed on index cards and we were...