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...
Prospects and Donors
Jul
06
2018
Hmmm… The numbers don’t add up!
I have a degree in Statistics (7 out of 10 folks say this is neat, btw.) One of the first things I learned is that statistics...
Apr
20
2018
Is your bucket leaking donors?
There is a great adage out there that it is better/more economical to retain a customer/donor than it is to acquire a new one. That is...
Feb
16
2018
The quality of a gift is directly related to the quality of the relationship between the solicitor and prospect
I have been asked so many times if I have a degree in business (arguably so that I can utilize the business acumen I acquired to...
Feb
09
2018
What’s a Major Gift for your Organization?
The phrase Major Gift is fundraiser jargon. Personally, I loathe the term, but in our industry, it’s what we use. (Some fundraisers actually have the title Major...
Jan
12
2018
Accountability & Impact — don’t be like George
As I was watching Seinfeld one evening over the holidays, I was doubled over in laughter at the Festivus episode. This is probably one of the...
Oct
27
2017
Year-end Fundraising — the big push?
It’s hard to believe it, but there are only 65 days left in the calendar year. That means there are only 65 days left to maximize...
Oct
20
2017
Should I start my own private foundation or charity?
Should I start a charity? This is a question that comes up all of the time. Let’s first address some nomenclature. When I worked for a...
Sep
29
2017
The times — they are a change-in’
It has now been over 25 years since I have been in this wonderful field as a paid professional (and probably an additional 6 as a...
Sep
15
2017
The elusive donor (or prospect)
Where are the donors and why are they hiding from us? There is a great theory that it is much better/easier to keep a customer than...