Monthly Archives: November, 2011
Finish Strong
The end of another year is upon us. All good charities are busy tallying their year-end-appeal response rates. Now is not the time to sit back, and hope those reply envelopes just keep pouring in. Here are five things you can do now to finish strong: The place to start is a simple [...]
Holiday Giving Matters
According to a Red Cross poll, almost 70% of Americans believe it is important to give to charity this holiday season. That’s a 10% increase from last year. Interestingly, however, only 57% actually intend to make a gift by year-end. That number is unchanged. As donors get ready to face the fourth holiday season of [...]
Giving Thanks
This evening, and again tomorrow night, an organization I know and love will conduct its annual “Thank-a-Thon.” Volunteers and trustees will staff a phone bank, and contact as many of their donors as possible, just to say thanks. A short script will assist the callers in updating contributors on the charity’s progress, but no one [...]
Users
A recent addition to the pop marketing book category is Aaron Shapiro’s Users: Who Really Determines the Success of Your Business. Nothing earth shattering here, but as Gene Rebeck pointed out in his review, the author’s focus bears repeating. It also translates well for the not-for-profit sector in general, and fundraising in particular. Organizations must [...]
The Successful Planned Giving Visit
We tend to needlessly overcomplicate planned giving. One unintended consequence is a failure to build relationships with our donors and prospects. During the 2011 Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP) international conference in Boston, presenters Liz Cahn and Joe Tumolo outlined their steps for a successful fundraising visit: • Make The Time: Schedule out more time [...]
Changing Perspectives: from Fundraising Professional to Volunteer
I find myself in a somewhat unique situation. I am recently retired from a position as Foundation President for a mid-sized hospital, which over the years afforded me the opportunity to work with many community volunteers who supported our philanthropic programs. I now actively volunteer for several community nonprofit organizations. Although not hospital-based, the fundraising [...]
Hunker Down and Plan to Succeed
While concerns about the possibility of a double-dip recession come and go, it is probably wise to follow the old adage to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Here’s what it means to prepare: Don’t assume that because you have always received a grant from a particular donor that you will continue [...]
