Hands-On Fundraising

MARCH 26, 2024

Every fundraising professional wants to maximize support for their organization’s cause. Whether their organization’s vision is to feed those in need, protect the environment, or support the arts, fundraisers are want to make a difference. Matching gifts offer a unique opportunity to take donors’ impact further and create a lasting impact. Through matching gift programs, […] The post How To Communicate With Donors About Matching Gifts appeared first on Hands-On Fundraising.

Fundraising 164

Fundraising 164

Hands-On Fundraising

MARCH 19, 2024

Clear communication might be your best tool for raising money. Recently, Ephraim Gopin shared a funny/not-so-funny post from McSweeney’s. It was titled: We dare you to figure out what our nonprofit does. And it nails it. Do you want to make me really cranky? Use language like what they mock here. Unclear. Full of buzzwords. […] The post Unlocking Support: The Art of Clear Communication in Nonprofits appeared first on Hands-On Fundraising.

Nonprofit 219

Nonprofit Fundraising IT 219

Hands-On Fundraising

MARCH 12, 2024

Do your donor communications need a few quick tips? Improve your donor communications… I know. I just wrote about this. But there’s a bit more… and if you’re like me, more ideas are hard to resist. You’ve probably heard you should write fast and edit slowly. And so you should. But how do you turn […] The post 7 more quick tips to improve your donor communications appeared first on Hands-On Fundraising.

Fundraising 220

Fundraising Nonprofit 220

Hands-On Fundraising

MARCH 5, 2024

You know taking care of your donors is one of the most important things you can do I’ve recently written about thank you letters and donor retention. Yes, they’re very much connected. But it’s now that time of year… tax season. And your donors are likely going through the drudgery of pulling together their records, […] The post Can we talk about donor care?

Fundraising 245

Fundraising IT 245

Hands-On Fundraising

FEBRUARY 20, 2024

Fundraising results depend on the whole organization You might know that I spent a good number of years working for regional theaters. It’s where my nonprofit career began. And theater is still close to my heart. But over the years – whether in my first theater, where I managed the box office, or in subsequent […] The post Want better fundraising results?

Fundraising 214

Fundraising Management Nonprofit 214

Hands-On Fundraising

FEBRUARY 13, 2024

Does writing a thank you letter make you feel sort of squeamish? Do you put it off, because… all those feelings? Or maybe just because you don’t know where to start? I got you. Read on… Your opening paragraph As you would with any letter, keep the first paragraph short. And make it all about […] The post You CAN write a great thank you appeared first on Hands-On Fundraising.

Fundraising 164

Fundraising IT 164

Hands-On Fundraising

FEBRUARY 6, 2024

How to keep those donors Oh, hello 2024. Yes, your year-end fundraising efforts are over. Take a deep breath. Relax. OK. Enough of that. Time for 2024 fundraising! And here’s what I want you to think most about: retention. I hope you welcomed new donors last year. And maybe even welcomed back some others. But […] The post Do you want to keep last year’s donors this year?

Fundraising 224

Fundraising 224

Hands-On Fundraising

JANUARY 30, 2024

You can improve your fundraising letter today Here’s what I know about writing good fundraising letters: You can practice and study for years. And still, you feel like you’re only scratching the surface. There’s always something new because we’re always learning something new. So perfection will always be out of reach. But don’t let the […] The post Improve your fundraising letters fast appeared first on Hands-On Fundraising.

Fundraising 226

Fundraising 226

Hands-On Fundraising

JANUARY 22, 2024

We humans are quirky. You know fundraising is never as simple as asking for donations. Behind your ask is a world of study. We think about our language. We consider exactly what we’re asking for and why. And we keep the language clear and simple. We’re straightforward about the need and use stories to illustrate […] The post 12 human quirks you can use to fundraise better appeared first on Hands-On Fundraising.

Fundraising 254

Fundraising Donation 254

Hands-On Fundraising

JANUARY 16, 2024

Empathy – the feeling that you understand and share another person’s experiences and emotions: the ability to share someone else’s feelings While sympathy is compassion for someone else’s situation, empathy is feeling their pain. Sympathy keeps its distance. Empathy is a powerful connection to someone else. We’ve evolved to feel empathy because it’s useful in understanding […] The post Empathy: the key to better fundraising appeared first on Hands-On Fundraisi

Fundraising 276

Fundraising IT 276

Hands-On Fundraising

JANUARY 9, 2024

Conversation?! Don’t worry. You don’t have to be a great talker to have this conversation. Today I heard from an excited client about an email. (I love getting celebration emails like this!) My client is a new theater here in Connecticut. And theater is where I started my nonprofit career… so I’m having fun. We’ve […] The post How are your conversation skills?

Fundraising 267

Fundraising Nonprofit 267

Hands-On Fundraising

JANUARY 2, 2024

Years ago, on vacation, as I read 2312, by Kim Stanley Robinson a phrase stopped me cold. I had to dog-ear the page. “Reason can’t work without emotion. People who are cut off from their emotions can’t decide.” Reason can’t work without emotion. People who are cut off from their emotions can’t decide. So, ok, […] The post Want some action?

Fundraising 223

Fundraising 223

Hands-On Fundraising

DECEMBER 19, 2023

Saving the world, losing your mind… does that sound familiar to you? The Association of Fundraising Professionals says 75% of fundraisers are women. and A Harvard Business School study shows that however lofty her professional position, family issues are still seen as a woman’s problem. (Speed reading? An article in Slate summarizes the information contained in the […] The post Saving the world, losing your mind appeared first on Hands-On Fundraising.

Fundraising 232

Fundraising Management Nonprofit 232

Hands-On Fundraising

DECEMBER 12, 2023

Because is a word kids come to dread. I remember being a kid and getting a very unsatisfying answer to some questions. My questions were usually “Why?” or more often “Why not?” And the unsatisfying answer was “Because” or worse, “Because I said so.” Does that sound familiar to you? It was infuriating, of course. […] The post Why “because” matters to your ask appeared first on Hands-On Fundraising.

Fundraising 155

Fundraising IT 155

Hands-On Fundraising

DECEMBER 5, 2023

Art – in all its forms – is meant to move us. And it’s meant to be experienced – to create a reaction that is body and soul deep. Donor experience matters – a lot – to every nonprofit that needs donors. But arts fundraisers have an advantage. Their mission is an experience. If yours […] The post Arts fundraising – why donor experiences are your superpower appeared first on Hands-On Fundraising.

Fundraising 286

Fundraising IT Nonprofit 286

Hands-On Fundraising

NOVEMBER 28, 2023

Ah… your year-end fundraising appeal isn’t out yet. And maybe, just maybe, life got in the way, too. I’m trying not to panic about Christmas shopping myself. But if you haven’t sent your year-end appeal yet, maybe this will help. And if you have already mailed something, maybe this will help with those late December […] The post Your last-minute year-end appeal checklist appeared first on Hands-On Fundraising.

Fundraising 248

Fundraising 248

Hands-On Fundraising

NOVEMBER 14, 2023

“Yay Us!” Be honest… is that what your donor communications read like? First, I want you to know that I’m pulling for you. And if you’re lucky enough to work for a nonprofit whose work you absolutely love and believe in, I’m thrilled for you. Seriously. Not everyone is so fortunate. But you know your […] The post Are you caught up in “Yay Us” fundraising?

Fundraising 249

Fundraising Nonprofit 249

Hands-On Fundraising

NOVEMBER 7, 2023

So everybody’s got an opinion about your fundraising appeal… I do lots of copywriting. Case statements, email appeals, and especially mail fundraising appeals. I love it. It’s one of my favorite things to do. But over the years, I’ve also noticed I get the same questions. You too? Maybe I can help you head a few […] The post They challenge your fundraising appeal.

Fundraising 270

Fundraising IT 270

Hands-On Fundraising

OCTOBER 31, 2023

Team-building: what managers need to know Can we talk about “team-building” and how it can so easily do just the opposite? It’s essential for nonprofit staff to work well together. And especially for teams within that structure. And I know (from long experience) that nonprofit work, in particular fundraising, is often not 9-5 work. Extra […] The post Why “team-building” fails you and your staff appeared first on Hands-On Fundraising.

Management 205

Management Fundraising Nonprofit IT 205

Hands-On Fundraising

OCTOBER 24, 2023

What do baby shoes have to do with fundraising? Well, Joe Friday would make a terrible fundraiser. Joe wanted “just the facts, ma’am.” (For those of you who didn’t grow up watching Dragnet, here’s a taste.) That’s not to say fundraising communications should not be true. It’s just that there’s so much more to it […] The post Why baby shoes knock the socks off stats appeared first on Hands-On Fundraising.

Fundraising 258

Fundraising IT 258

Hands-On Fundraising

OCTOBER 17, 2023

I’ve been writing fundraising copy for a long time. And from the very start, I faced one problem over and over and over again. No. Though those pop up all the time. What has consistently gotten in the way is interference from people who aren’t focused on fundraising. It might be the boss. Or the […] The post Please stop killing your fundraising to please the boss. appeared first on Hands-On Fundraising.

Fundraising 177

Fundraising IT 177

Hands-On Fundraising

OCTOBER 3, 2023

A while back, I wrote about fundraising and introverts. And a while before that, I gave a presentation about the same topic. Of course, that’s because I am an introvert. Are you? Do you work with people who are? Then I’ve got a deeper dive into the topic for you! Brian Saber recently released a […] The post What you’ll want to know about fundraising for introverts appeared first on Hands-On Fundraising.

Fundraising 281

Fundraising 281

Hands-On Fundraising

SEPTEMBER 19, 2023

Guest post, thanks to Tim Badolato We all want a positive work environment. One of the biggest benefits of working at a nonprofit is knowing you’re making a difference. From your fundraising team to your board members, everyone who’s a part of your organization has a hand in supporting your mission. Your employees may feel […] The post 5 Tips To Foster a Positive Work Environment for Nonprofits appeared first on Hands-On Fundraising.

Nonprofit 213

Nonprofit Fundraising 213

Hands-On Fundraising

SEPTEMBER 5, 2023

Call it commitment. Or maybe, determination. Possibly, just sheer cussed stubbornness. Whatever you call it, it’s the key to a successful annual giving program. Here’s the thing: I could write a really good appeal. The data could be in great shape. The stars might all align and the message, audience, and timing could be perfect. […] The post Stubborn as #$%* appeared first on Hands-On Fundraising.

Fundraising 226

Fundraising IT 226

Hands-On Fundraising

AUGUST 22, 2023

I’m tired. I’m not sure if it’s a response to the last few years, or if I’m just busier than usual. But lately, I’ve just been finding myself wanting to crawl under the covers and hide for a while. (With a good book, of course.) I realized, too, that my fatigue is affecting my ability […] The post Are you as tired as I am? appeared first on Hands-On Fundraising.

Fundraising 190

Fundraising 190

Hands-On Fundraising

AUGUST 8, 2023

Does your fundraising writing result in less than satisfying results? I’ll be honest: creating good donor communications is a constant learning experience. But you can do some things to help today. Here are some tips for you. Unmarry your “brand”. That is, unchain yourself from the collection of fonts, colors, and language being pushed at […] The post Just for you: quick tips to boost your fundraising writing appeared first on Hands-On Fundraising.

Fundraising 216

Fundraising 216

Hands-On Fundraising

JULY 25, 2023

Guest post from Sonia Urlando Virtual events are now normal additions to organizations’ calendars, and that’s great! They offer your donors and members increased convenience, and they offer you increased flexibility and cost-effectiveness. Virtual events allow more people worldwide to attend events. This includes people who wouldn’t be able to attend if it was in […] The post 5 Reliable Ways to Improve Virtual Event Engagement appeared first on Hands-On Fundraising.

Calendar 162

Calendar Fundraising IT 162

Hands-On Fundraising

JULY 11, 2023

Let’s talk about donors. We fundraisers seem to have complex feelings about donors. Are they your boss? Do you need to worry about a “savior complex”? Or are they a source from which you extract money? Are they friend or foe? People are people… and donors are people, too. To borrow from Depeche Mode, donors […] The post People are people… even donors appeared first on Hands-On Fundraising.

Fundraising 130

Fundraising 130

Hands-On Fundraising

FEBRUARY 8, 2022

When I was in high school, it was the highly-anticipated movie event of a lifetime. None of the theaters nearby were showing it – yet. But my friends and I were determined. We located a theater 40 minutes away. The next problem: how would we get there? My parents couldn’t give me the car that […]. The post This is your brain on stories appeared first on Hands-On Fundraising.

Fundraising 281

Fundraising IT 281