Fundraising is Beautiful

You'll be equipped and inspired by this interview with Jen Love and John Lepp of Agents of Good in Toronto. They are powerful spokespersons for the idea and practical expression of loving donors. You'll learn how Courier font is a practical tool for donor love, why innovation in fundraising so often doesn't work, why ugly powers great fundraising, and how fundraisers can take care

We asked two new fundraising (and very successful) writers who have been doing some very great work what they know about fundraising that's making them succeed. Here's what they told us: Write as one person connecting with one person. Avoid the word "we" -- unless it very clearly means you the reader and I the writer. Start your first draft with this phrase: I'm writing to you to

Steven shares his short poem, "A Benediction for Fundraisers" (based on "Christ Has No Body" by St. Teresa of Avila [1515-1582]). We hope this very brief podcast inspires you to love the important work we do when we motivate donors to give. Program #109 Click the link to play: A Benediction for Fundraisers, or right click and "save as" to save the file for later. Time: 3:24

This is a powerful and super-informative interview with Greg Warner, founder of MarketSmart who also hosts a great podcast called Engagement Fundraising. The secret to accelerating your fundraising program is this: find the right level of engagement and giving for every donor, especially: Those who will leave your organization a bequest. Those with the capacity to become mid-leve

We all know how important it is to tell great stories in fundraising. Those stories almost never drop out of the sky! We have to go and get them. In this quick discussion, you'll get some great interviewing tips, including: Know what you want to get what you want. Dealing with language barriers and working with translators. "Lead the witness." The "Columbo" technique. And more.

The most important thing you can learn about fundraising -- the one thing that can make the difference between mediocrity and big-time success -- it's this: It's not about you. It's about your donor! It's so easy to talk about how great our organization is ... and to forget that donors don't give because you're awesome. They give because they are awesome. That's why successful fund

We've looked at a lot of nonprofit websites. More than is good for our mental health, frankly. And we've found three things to be wrong with nearly all of them: Your website doesn't present some kind of need that the donor can meet. The idea of giving is not clear and strong. You've created it to make your leadership and board happy. We'll show you how to fix these common issues

We take a look at the ways photos can emotional depth and measurable pull-power to your fundraising ... or undermine your message entirely!

Take note of this: A picture is worth a thousand words. So choose your pictures carefully! We take a look at the ways photos can emotional depth and measurable pull-power to your fundraising ... or undermine your message entirely! A good fundraiser knows when to use "negative" images and when to use the positive ones we prefer. Find out in this episode the rhythm and balance of im

What's the subtext of your donor-communications stream? That is, what's the overarching message they're getting, even though you might not be saying it out loud? We'll show you how to change your subtext into one that thrills and involves donors -- and keeps them giving.