Put your WHY before your WHAT.
A compelling case for support is the foundation of fundraising success, and it might be time to update yours. Your case is the big-picture argument for why your organization is uniquely equipped to solve an important problem, why donors should care about your mission, and why they should confidently invest in your work. Your appeals, […]
Best Practices to Fast Forward Your Foundation Fundraising
Foundation fundraising is a marathon not a sprint. It takes time takes time and diligent follow through to build a foundation’s trust and confidence in your organization’s mission and programs. But foundations can be loyal donors and well worth the long term investment of your time and energy. Here are some tips to increase your […]
7 Best Practices to Re-Engage Your Lapsed Donors in 2026
Loyal donors are essential to fundraising success. They know and love your mission. Retaining these valuable supporters is much easier (and rewarding) than finding, cultivating, and soliciting brand new prospects. A savvy fundraiser knows that strategically stewarding donors and working quickly to bring back lapsed supporters is key to maintaining a robust basis of support. […]
8 Ways to Leverage Your Network for Career Success
It’s the season of connection—holiday cards, year-end thank-yous, and reflection. While you’re cultivating and stewarding relationships with donors, don’t forget the professional assets in your own network. Build these relationships intentionally.The colleagues, mentors, and friends who’ve shaped your career are professional allies who can sustain your growth, open doors and spark new ideas. Here are […]
Be Courageous, but Stop Chasing White Whales
In my last post, I covered how to get meetings with hard-to-reach donors. It takes good timing, triangulation, and tenacity. But what about high-net-worth prospective donors? Those big fish that you know will want to fund your work if only you can get to them. If major donors are hard to reach, donor prospects are […]
Tips to Get a Meeting with that Hard-to-Reach Donor
When a major donor is hard to get ahold of, it can be frustrating—but it’s not unusual. High-capacity donors are often busy, heavily solicited, and very selective with their calendar. So to be successful we must be persistent without being pushy, and use strategic, personalized engagement. Here are some tips to secure that meeting: Define […]
8 Ways to Make Sure Your Message Resonates with Donors Today
How do you know when it’s time to refresh your message? To name a few reasons: Your solutions (programs) no longer address an urgent need or problem. External forces have changed the landscape dramatically (e.g. think national election, loss of significant grants, etc.). Internal changes have created new reasons to communicate (e.g. a new CEO […]
Maximizing Impact: How Smart Nonprofits Invest for Success
Regardless of your opinion on them, Washington’s recent efficiency and cost-cutting measures have prompted many nonprofit leaders to consider how to most effectively use their organization’s precious resources. Successful nonprofits maximize spending on program expenses while minimizing spending in other areas—to a point. This approach reassures current and prospective donors that the organization is delivering […]
7 Steps to Nail Your Year-End Fundraising Goals
Have your donors (and maybe you) been distracted by the elections? Are you behind in reaching your 2024 fund goals? Fear not, you can still act in the coming days to connect with your donors and share the impact their gift will have for your organization. Here’s your plan for a successful finish: Create […]
10 Secrets to a Great Donor Gratitude Program
As development professionals, we charge forward every day, working to bring in new support for our mission. In the midst of the hustle, I urge you not to forget an often quiet, but extremely important component of your fundraising health – your donor gratitude program. High performing nonprofits prioritize donor gratitude and embed it as […]