Don’t Let Summer Donors Go Cold
A thoughtful cultivation plan can turn a first summer gift into a lasting relationship. Take a look at the people who made their first gift to your organization this summer. Some may have responded to an email. Others may have attended an event, supported a friend’s fundraiser, encountered you on social media or simply discovered […]
Meet the Media Before You Need Them
This is a great time to start building relationships that can help tell your story this fall. When nonprofits think about media relations, it is often because they have something they want to publicize. An event is coming up. A fundraising campaign is launching. Giving Tuesday is approaching. The organization has an important announcement and […]
The 48-Hour Thank-You
A prompt acknowledgment tells donors their generosity matters, and so do they. Someone makes a gift to your organization on Monday. How long should it take you to generate a receipt? Ideally, no later than Wednesday. Generating a receipt and acknowledgment within 48 hours of receiving a gift is a good standard for nonprofit organizations. […]
Welcome New Donors Like They Matter
Every year, missions invest significant time and resources acquiring new donors. Yet once that first gift arrives, many organizations immediately shift their attention to the next campaign. The challenge is that donor retention doesn’t begin with a second gift. It begins with the first experience a donor has after making the first one. Think about […]
The Story You Need Tomorrow Is Happening Now
One of the most common conversations I have with clients begins with a familiar concern: “We don’t have a story for this appeal.” The problem usually isn’t a lack of stories. It’s that no one began collecting them until the deadline was approaching. The truth is, your next great fundraising story is probably unfolding right […]
Start Building Fall Success Today
Ask almost any fundraiser when their busiest season begins, and most will answer, “The fall.” They’re right, but only partly. While September often marks the beginning of Thanksgiving appeals, Christmas campaigns, Giving Tuesday planning, and year-end fundraising, the organizations that consistently achieve the strongest results understand that those campaigns begin during the quieter weeks of […]
The Message That Matters Most: How a Thoughtful Thank You Can Shape What Comes Next
For many organizations, the work of an Easter campaign feels complete once the gifts have been received. But one of the most important moments is just beginning. The thank you. Too often, the thank you process is treated as administrative. A receipt is sent. A confirmation is delivered. The box is checked and the organization […]
Breaking Through the Noise – Why Clarity and Focus Matter More than Ever
Easter is one of the most important times of year for faith-based organizations. It is also one of the most competitive. Donors are hearing from many ministries at once. Their inboxes fill quickly. Messages stack on top of each other. And in the middle of all that activity, something important happens. Messages begin to blur […]
From Message to Meaning: Connecting the Easter Story to Real Life Change
The Easter story is the most powerful one ever. It is a story of sacrifice, redemption, and new life. For many, it is deeply familiar. It is heard, read, and reflected on year after year. But in fundraising, familiarity can sometimes create distance. When the message feels abstract, it becomes harder for donors to connect […]
The Easter Fundraising Opportunity
For rescue missions, Easter is more than a date on the calendar. It is one of the most meaningful moments of the year and one of the most powerful opportunities to connect with donors. At its core, Easter is about hope, sacrifice, and new life. They are the very outcomes your organization works toward every […]