Give and Take

Female fundraiser interviewing older donor couple
Solicitation
Patrick O'Donnell

Sample Questions to Ask Donors

Here’s a list of 31 sample questions you can adapt to your own interviews with donors. Remember, you need to ask a quality question to get a quality answer.

Read More »
Empty shoes depicting missing deadbeat donor
Prospecting
Viken Mikaelian

Dealing With the Donor Who does Not Show Up

Congratulations! You secured the biggest donation of your career! Your passionate presentation aligned perfectly with the donor’s desire to do some good. But a month later, your cheesy grin has melted. Deidre hasn’t paid up.

Read More »
Nostalgia Marketing Old TV and Microphone
Fundraising Strategy
Patrick O'Donnell

Nostalgia Marketing

Nostalgia marketing is effective, hot, and here to stay. Learn how non-profits can use this type of marketing to promote their giving programs.

Read More »
Missing Spouse
Fundraising Strategy
Lisa Hillman

The Case of the Missing Spouse

Married couples – and attached people in general – make giving decisions together. A recent survey finds that giving “together” is a shared activity many couples enjoy. So why would a fundraiser forget to include the spouse in a gift request?

Read More »
Female Fundraiser With Donor Discussing Stock Investments
Solicitation
Camilyn Leone

Kitchen Drawer Philanthropists

I visited Frank many times while I worked for the Children’s’ Museum. Each time I saw him, we sat in the kitchen, talked about the museum. Then, he would reach over and open that kitchen drawer and pull out a beautifully engraved stock certificate. I would carefully carry this gift back to the museum and turn it into a charitable gift annuity.

Read More »
Win-Win Presentation
Fundraising Strategy
Samantha Ganser

Minor Steps, Major Wins: Securing Major Gifts through Planned Giving

It may be clear that planned giving is worth the time and investment. But how does one begin to develop a planned giving program that will lead to major gifts down the line? Can receiving planned gifts and eventually, major gifts, actually be that straightforward? Here are some simple steps for building a planned giving program that will allow your nonprofit to win big in the future.

Read More »
Thank You Letter
Fundraising Strategy
Joe Garecht

How to Write a Great Donor Thank You Letter

One of your most important roles as a non-profit fundraiser is to steward your current donors so that they keep giving year after year.  The starting point for this process is your donor thank you letter.

Read More »
eBook Cover - 25 Ways to Influence Others

25 Ways to Influence Others

Influencing others is a skill that can be learned and developed into an art form. Here are some easy techniques to help you to develop your influence.