Prioritizing Donor Retention: 4 Tips for Small Nonprofits

June 23, 2021

Growth is essential for nonprofits looking to do more good and expand their missions’ scope. This means fundraising professionals often put a lot of time and energy into attracting new supporters, getting their organization’s name out in the community, and securing the resources needed to grow.  While these are key aspects of growth, another overlooked […]

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Fundraising Friday | June 11, 2021

June 11, 2021

Storytelling Taking a walk in your clients’ shoes can be an extremely powerful method of helping your supporters understand your work and its impact. Here’s what a powerful interactive storytelling experience can look like. Donor Communications Stuck writing your fundraising appeal letter? Here are 13 Ways to Write Better Fundraising Asks. You keep hearing about […]

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What’s in my Inbox | Amazon and the importance of your nonprofit’s systems

June 10, 2021

Over a year ago, in lieu of an email, the retail giant Amazon sent out their email template. And the Internet had a field day. AmazonEmailTemplate And aside from the lessons from Amazon’s marketing team on crafting a compelling email, what are the lessons for nonprofits? Primarily on the importance of your fundraising systems. In […]

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What You Don’t Know About Outsourcing Could Save Your Nonprofit

May 31, 2021

It goes without saying that COVID has hit the nonprofit sector hard. Most events were either postponed or canceled. Some saw success with virtual events, while others tanked. Donations have fallen as much as 75%. Live performances were canceled, along with many other earned income ventures. “It’s devastation,” said Rick Cohen, Chief Operating Officer for […]

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What’s in My Mailbox | Show me that you know me!

May 27, 2021

YES! is a nonprofit, independent publisher of solutions journalism. The first issue of the magazine was published in summer 1996, but it’s new to me, having only recently subscribed. I appreciate the mission of YES! and, in addition to my own subscription and several gift subscriptions, I’m a monthly donor. I’m a monthly supporter of quite […]

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Digital Marketing: 4 Tips for Engaging Donors Online

May 25, 2021

Nonprofit digital marketing has evolved over the past few years, and tech-savvy nonprofits have been able to leverage new virtual outreach opportunities to engage new donors. Despite the lack of face-to-face interaction, effective online outreach can help nonprofits recruit new donors while also making deeper connections to earn recurring monthly donations, creating a sustainable source […]

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Lessons From MotivateMonday | Nonprofits and Text Messaging, a Primer

May 13, 2021

Is texting a tool that you could/should incorporate into your fundraising plan? Abby Jarvis, Nonprofit Education Manager at Qgiv talks permission, text-to-give, text-to-donate, outbound text messaging, getting started, best practices, and more in a fun, engaging MotivateMonday episode. Watch Thumbs Away! Next Level Strategies for Using Text Messaging to Connect Donors. Download the slides here. […]

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10 Ways to Find New Donors for Your Nonprofit

May 12, 2021

Sometimes it seems like all the nonprofit sector talks about is donor retention. Do this. Don’t do that. Of course, there’s a reason for that. Your organization’s donor retention rate speaks volumes about the health of your fundraising program. When your donor retention rates are higher, your fundraising costs go down. As donors get to […]

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Lessons from MotivateMonday | Five Social Media Trends You Need to Know

April 27, 2021

Social media is an ever-changing landscape. What’s next? Join us as Julia Campbell shares the five latest trends in social, from Tik Tok to stories to takeovers. Click here to download the slides from this MotivateMonday session. And sign up for the Grow Report to get notifications about the next MotivateMonday, our free 30-minute flash […]

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Lessons from MotivateMonday | Change your thinking, change your work

April 22, 2021

“What if, instead of being exhausted, worn out, disillusioned, and depressed, you were energized and inspired by your important work as a social change leader? What if you were surrounded by endless supporters helping to move your work forward? What if money flowed easily and endlessly to you and your organization? What if the social […]

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Lessons from MotivateMonday | How to write your best fundraising appeal FAST

April 15, 2021

Whether you’re a new development director who has just been tasked with getting out next week’s fundraising appeal, or you’ve been procrastinating on writing that letter, you’re sure to appreciate this guide to writing your best fundraising appeal. In no time! In this 30-minute training, you’ll discover how to outline your letter, how to write […]

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What’s in My Inbox | Empowering Your Donors to Fundraise

April 15, 2021

Are your donors creating Facebook Fundraisers on your behalf? When it comes to social media, I’m hearing from small shop fundraisers who are exhausted from the never-ending posting. My mantra? “Always focus on what you can control.” How are you empowering your donors to fundraise on your behalf on Facebook? How can your donors help? […]

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What’s in My Inbox | Shorter attention spans means you need to deliver with your enews

April 7, 2021

Does it feel like your attention span is getting shorter? Chances are you’re right. Attention spans have been falling over the years and are now at an all-time low. A Microsoft Corp study recently revealed that people now generally start to lose concentration after only eight seconds. What does that mean for you as a […]

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What’s in My Mailbox | Bethany’s Monthly Giving Invitation

April 6, 2021

When JodiJoy O’Keefe decided to introduce a monthly giving program at her organization, Bethany Health Care, she did it by way of an invitation. Here’s what I love about this monthly giving ask: Specific ask amounts paint a clear picture of what the donor is funding It’s easy for the donor to give, either by […]

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What’s in My Inbox | Thankuary campaign features a rocking landing page

March 31, 2021

The Saanich Peninsula Hospital & Healthcare Foundation has raised nearly $50 million dollars for equipment, facilities, and programs since it was established in the mid-80’s. Community members joined together to raise money for rising healthcare costs for those in the region, and this independent charity was born. During the month of January, this Basics & […]

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The Best Way to Write the Lead for Your Fundraising Letter

March 31, 2021

“I lost an arm on my last trip home. My left arm.” The opening line of the novel Kindred, by American science fiction author Octavia Butler, stirs the imagination. It raises questions. It inspires curiosity. You want to read more. The lead of your fundraising appeal letter, or the subject line in your next email […]

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Fundraising Friday | March 26, 2021

March 26, 2021

Storytelling With Saoirse’s Story, the online visitor chooses their own interactive story in a concept that would work well for a domestic violence shelter. The Power of Storytelling | What a powerful interactive storytelling experience looks like What you need to know about before and after is critical in storytelling. Mary Cahalane explains. Donor Communications Behavioral […]

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What’s in My Inbox | Responding to hate crimes

March 25, 2021

Are you responsive to how your donors are feeling? Since the Atlanta spa shootings, a hate crime that claimed the lives of 8 people, including 6 Asian women, I’ve received many emails addressing the event, and the ensuing grief. One particular email really resonated with me, though, and it comes from a faith-based organization in […]

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The Power of Storytelling | What a powerful interactive storytelling experience looks like

March 18, 2021

Sharing compelling stories is a critical aspect of your organization’s fundraising. They’re stories that can ultimately convince supports to make a gift. So how are you bringing your donors into your stories? How are you sharing your organization’s “most real, truest” stories? Digital Communications Specialist and founder of Digital Charity Lab, Jean O’Brien, teamed up […]

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What’s in My Inbox | Fetterman has fun with fundraising, and so can you!

March 18, 2021

Did you know that I’m a political junkie? It’s true. I’ve been a student of political campaigns for far too many years. Every presidential campaign year, you’ll find me subscribing to get every candidate’s emails. Yes, every candidate. Of course, that meant that both my inbox and phone were overrun with emails and texts last year. And, […]

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