My community has many needs. Sometimes as executive director I hear about new grant programs that would serve my community well, but the type of service is well outside what my organization does. I cannot just tweak. Should I go...
What are the best ways to advertise and promote our events? There are many ways to promote your event: Mailings to past attendees and donors. Approaching your sponsors and asking them to send out information about your event to their...
This week, from November 12 to 15, the Global Microcredit Summit will hold court in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Thousands of experts from 107 countries will be in attendance. It’s being billed as a watershed event for the microcredit community and...
I have a client whose direct mail fundraising program is in trouble. I think you can profit from his predicament. I know he is going to. The development officers at his nonprofit organization are doing plenty of things right. They...
The applications that win government grants and loans are much like every application that arrives, hopefully, at funding agencies. But they share some key ingredients that make them stand out. These aren't arcane, mysterious, or classified techniques. In fact, most...
Is there such a thing as event planning on a shoestring? Any cost-saving tips or frugal fundraising ideas? Event planning is not about dollars and cents, but about the dollars being spent making sense, and in the case of fundraising...
Fundraising letters are about people. People talk. So your fundraising letters should include the voices of people. In a novel, the characters come alive only after you hear them talk. What they say, how they say it, when they say...
Seen any good plays lately? Spent a recent afternoon at a local museum or art gallery? How about an evening at the ballet? Of course you have. After all, artistic events are as ubiquitous as the artists who engage us....
There are so many fundraising events out there. How can we stand out from the crowd? Judy's Response: There are many ways to stand out from the crowd. Today, sponsors and guests alike are looking for cutting edge or custom...
Your direct mail fundraising program should have three goals. Goal 1: Acquires donors If your organization is typical, you lose around 15% of your donors each year. They simply stop responding to your appeals. Fifteen percent is average, but it's...
