This 1 tip will absolutely boost your fundraising results

Nonprofits sell a feeling. It’s the warm feeling that a donor has done something beneficial, useful, important, good, and proper by engaging in a philanthropic act.  Creating these feelings is the job of your communications. Your newsletter, thank you notes, solicitation letters… Do you view your newsletter as getting in the way of fundraising? Or…

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3 easy ways to get your board involved in fundraising

We all know that board members have varying degrees of fundraising experience – and interest. Although every board member doesn’t need to be the one to ask for money – and that’s ok, EVERY board member should be involved in some part of the development process: identifying prospects, building relationships, asking, or thanking. Here are…

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How to Become an Authentic Asker

Do you love your work…but hate the asking part?  Do you worry that you’ll come off as “salesy” when asking for money? Are you sick of feeling like a beggar? You are most certainly not alone!  Here’s the $64,000 question: Are you playing small because of it? This is what motivated me to get over…

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How to raise 40% more from your current donors – this year

Imagine that you could raise significantly more money without additional staff or an exorbitant amount of board time. What’s the best way to inspire upgraded gifts from your donors? Good news. It’s easier than you might think. When I was an executive director years ago, and desperate, I would turn to the outside. I was…

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How to defang the major gifts fundraising monster

Is your fundraising revenue reliable? Is it enough to cover your programs at their very best, and the administrative and fundraising infrastructure to support them? If not, it’s time to invite more people to the party. Asking for money is an age old issue with boards and executive directors, however we no longer have the luxury…

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2 clever ways to find and recruit your perfect board member

Throw out that board composition matrix. Are you sick of pressuring board members to come up with people they know?  Do you tell yourself that there’s just no one to tap? All of the good ones are already on other boards. Read on. This is for you. Before getting started, think about your gaps and…

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Why do capable nonprofit boards fall short?

We’re smart people, you and me. If you’ve been a board member or staff executive for any period of time, you’ve been around the block a few times. You’ve solved complicated problems on a shoestring. You’ve changed lives, and in some cases saved them. You know things about life that most people don’t. So why…

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3 Top Priorities For Every Executive Director

This is one of my favorite topics! I have been an executive director and development director several times over. I know the frustrations deep in my being, and I also know what it feels like to be apart of a team – including donors – that change lives. Underdeveloped* A National Study of Challenges Facing Nonprofit…

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7 Cage-Rattling Questions every board should answer

Imagine what it would be like to have a wide range of ideas, smarts, contacts, and resources emanating from the board room to move your organization forward? What’s the best way to tap the talent, creativity, and passion of your board members? It’s hard to think seriously about these visionary questions when so many of us…

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Done! 1 quick tip to boost your year-end results

Here’s one very simple tip you can accomplish in a few hours that’s guaranteed to increase your year-end fundraising results. In a nutshell:  Catch your donors by surprise.  Here’s how to do it and why it’s important.  First, set the mood. Block out an hour, grab some coffee and set an intention to enjoy yourself. This is quick, but…

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