Imagine writing a foundation proposal requesting "lots of money for a big building to support our good work." The most sympathetic foundation executive wouldn't tolerate such a vague and lazy request for a minute. Yet most planned giving programs tell...
In Canada the charitable remainder trust has, until recent years, been virtually unknown. The United States, however, has been so taken by the concept that the most common form of a planned gift there, with the exception of a bequest,...
Well, what's doing simple things well got to do with charitable gift planning? Everything. Like it or not, the competition for donor dollars is intense -- and it's only getting more intense. In the 21st century, the competition will accelerate...
No visitor seriously bent on a successful prospect call ever goes unprepared. Here is our Solicitor's Check-list for Success, a few of the most crucial dos and don'ts to bear in mind as you knock on that next door, behind...
Recognition events are repetitive, boring and simply too long. In fact, being kept personally informed of what the gifts were achieving is the most important and valued form of donor recognition. That's what feedback from a donor recognition survey of...
This article was originally published in Canadian FundRaiser Any relationship -- marketer-customer, master-servant, husband-wife -- needs to be renewed from time to time. Fundraisers must keep in mind that there's no such thing as a permanent commitment anymore. People tend...
Gift planners have long recognized two closely-related factors as key obstacles to be overcome in broadening the donor base: despite the phenomenal growth in personal wealth over the past two decades, very few people preceive themselves as potential philanthropists and,...
Traditionally, organizations running ticket raffles and home lotteries have not developed relationships with their buyers. Of course they create mailing lists, and send brochures to them, but few track information about individual buyers. The reason is fairly simple: in the...
Seminars are powerful tools in generating interest in planned giving. They are a nonthreatening approach to the donor, and are generally viewed by the public as popular and safe events to attend. An opportunity to provide a free or modestly-priced...
A growing number of Canadian charities use telemarketing as part of their fundraising programs. In the United States, over half of the nonprofits now use the phone to raise funds. The reason they use telemarketing is simple: it works. In...
