When communicating with the public, it is critical that organisations understand the common misperceptions that arise and work to consistently present evidence of good practice that helps to cut through the uncertainty and creates clarity, affinity and trust. Building aRead more…
Phone Calls to Donors = Highly Profitable Fundraising
Are you afraid of the phone? It can be scary to pick up the phone to call a donor or a potential donor! Especially when it’s so much easier to keep your polite distance and send a letter or anRead more…
How to Make the Case for Giving
Download our free guide to make the case for giving for your nonprofit in 8 steps! Fundraisers can no longer rely on a simple ask to secure a donation. “We need your donation” is not compelling enough. So what doRead more…
Advice and Tips for Nonprofits on Annual Reports
Creating annual reports are essential for ministries to report on what happened in the year before and look forward at the year ahead. Unfortunately I find that it annual reports are extremely difficult to get from ministries. The website providesRead more…
Road Map to Impact: Setting Communications Objectives
Communication aims at achieving three main outcomes: Raising awareness, changing attitudes and motivating people to take action. Strategies, messages, creative content and engagement activities must all be designed to achieve specific, strategically selected communications objectives. These objectives are described in thisRead more…
Next Gen Generosity – An ease with technology and a focus on effectiveness are helping a new wave of donors roll up their sleeves and change philanthropy
For all the parents who practiced philanthropy with their kids, a survey released this year provides some good news: The next generation of donors, who stand to inherit trillions of dollars and create trillions more in their lifetimes, has grownRead more…
Making a Good Ask
As you engage in fund raising (People Raising), one of the most important questions that needs to be answered is, “What does a good ask look like?” To learn the answer to this important question, I asked a major donorRead more…
The 5 W’s of Philanthropy
Too often fundraising appeals emphasize what the charity needs, not what the supporter wants. Customized, strategic communication should focus on identifying and building relationships to increase donations and support. Who are your fundraisers? What is the demographic makeup of your supporters andRead more…
6 Types of Stories that Spur Giving
As a fundraiser, you aim to change how people perceive your organization’s work and cause, then motivate them to give. Connection is the lubricant for this conversion, but the deadly dull way so many organizations discuss their work frequently getsRead more…
Technology: Expanding the Walls of Church
As a former technology teacher, I have found a place for technology in my work with youth. In the classroom, I found that using text messaging or Google hangouts was a way to answer a quick question or have aRead more…