Practicalities

5 Ways to Improve Donor Stewardship

Implementing five simple donor stewardship strategies can help you build and retain healthier donor relationships.

Stating problems alone isn't going to help your fundraising mail
Avoid fundraising “cuss letters”

Donors want to hear about the problems you’re seeing—and what you’re doing about them.


Could listening to your donors make you a better fundraiser?

In a recent article, Theodore Wagenaar offers a donor’s perspective on giving. Fundraisers would do well to take heed.

Don’t shy away from being direct

Direct mail can seem like a distasteful tool that could ultimately compromise your organization’s integrity. Buying into that attitude may be costing your organization immensely.


Friends don’t let executives copyedit your fundraising appeals

Appeal approval processes should be structured to minimize the damage wreaked by executive editing.

The old adage is true: donors won’t give if they aren’t asked

Donors need to be asked for money. That doesn’t mean every meeting is an ask.


How to become a “preselected charitable organization”

Regardless of what a foundation’s 990 says, ongoing outreach from your organization can pay off.

3 tips for cultivating an abundance mindset in your donors

Breaking the cycle of fear-based giving benefits donors and nonprofits alike.


Planning for December in June: a path to year-end fundraising success

It’s never too early to start strategizing for year-end fundraising. In turbulent economic times, a fine-tuned direct mail strategy is more important than ever.

What to highlight in direct mail

99% of the letter’s recipients will NOT read the letter carefully. So if you’re not using highlighting to show them instantly what’s up, they’re not going to understand your appeal at all.




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