Aug
10
2018
Seven Quick Lessons I’ve Learned
So I have been in this profession for over 20 years and I think I’ve boiled it down to seven lessons: The number one reason that people donate...
Philanthropy
Aug
03
2018
14 Interesting Fundraising Statistics
As a former statistics major, I have come across many stats in my fundraising life. Here are some of my favorites: 1. The average philanthropic gift has...
Jul
20
2018
5 tips to mine your database for upgradable donors
I have often said that most charities do not need to find more new donors to add to their database in order to raise funds, rather...
Jun
22
2018
What if our charity disappeared tonight?
Presumably, every charity out there has a raison d’être — a reason for being. (And the reason for being is never about raising money — that is merely...
Jun
15
2018
Empowering kids through fundraising
A few weekends ago, it was a flurry of activity in our household — I chose to participate in the Manulife Ride for Heart cycle event...
Jun
01
2018
Becoming one of many
One of the recurring themes that I have written about is the notion of mining your database and focussing less on donor acquisition. I said less,...
May
25
2018
What is the likely size of a first time donor?
The quick answer is 5 ft 10 in., but I jest. The fundraising legend himself, Jerry Panas. reported in 2017 “When Harvard did a study after their...
Apr
27
2018
Events as Fundraisers
As I have shared in previous posts, Joan Garry‘s book on Nonprofit Leadership is a great go-to for fundraisers. Joan speaks of the Ask at Events: * The...
Apr
13
2018
Why fundraising is like working out.
Many people know that aside from fundraising, I now like to work out. I try to run at least 20 kilometres a week outdoors and when...
Mar
16
2018
Fundraising is both an Art AND a Science
This is a profession that requires both hemispheres of the brain — the creative, along with the analytical. You can have all of the passion in...