Donor Relationships



Philanthropy reveals true character

Posted on 08 March 2010

Grace Groner lived through the Great Depression, so saving money was her expertise. Nobody knew just how much she had saved until she died in January at age 100 and left $7 million to Lake Forest College, her alma mater…. “She could have lived in any house in Lake Forest but she chose not to. [...]

How Simple Development Systems Will Create Sustainable Funding

Posted on 08 December 2009

In the past six months my daughter has lost 45 pounds. She watches her diet, runs several times a week (she’s surpassed me – a runner or over 30 years – in that department!) and looks and feels amazing.
The other day I suggested to her that her experience would be prime fodder for a book, [...]

Asking for donations? Learn to love objections

Posted on 23 November 2009

If you’re going to ask people for money, you’ve got to learn to love objections. Or at least be comfortable with them!
Working on a session for the APRA conference in Boston, I’m relearning how fun objections can be.
Seriously, if there were no objections, we wouldn’t be needed. It would be so clearly self-evident that people [...]

Customize Communications to Increase Donor Loyalty

Posted on 26 August 2009

Maintaining a sufficient amount of donors is vital for a charity organization. Whether it is those who donate separate of an event or those who return year after year to your race, keeping them is a priority.
We want to gain new supporters and initiate more funds, but if we let our veteran supporters slip out [...]

Do You Know the Demographics of Those Who Give to Your Organization?

Posted on 09 March 2009

Let’s face it – statistics are dry for most of us. Who wants to look at numbers when you can be out raising awareness and working with others dedicated to your cause? But the truth is that knowing the demographics of your organization and its donors can greatly enhance your fundraising efforts.  Here are some [...]

What Non-Profits Can Learn from the Obama Fundraising Campaign

Posted on 11 November 2008

Like a huge percentage of this country, I too got caught up in the news surrounding our recent presidential election. I was amazed by the size and the scope of the two campaigns and the way each chose to communicate to the American public.
I have done my best to take note of strategies that [...]

Major Donors on the Rise in a Down Economy

Posted on 02 September 2008

An additional 600,000 people became millionaires last year according to the World Wealth Report issued by Merrill Lynch and Capgemini U.S. The number of rich folks isn’t shrinking even with all the talk of doomed credit markets and rising oil prices.  What does this trend mean for your fundraising?
There are at least three new ways [...]