Why do so many organizations “go dark” with their donor base in the first half of the year? Or, where the real grief lies: Why does the average nonprofit lose over 56 percent of its hard-won donors each year?

I recently discovered an inspiring brand story that was more original and moving than much of the nonprofit writing I saw in 2020. Where did this wonderful writing come from? A fruit company.

Normally, this would be the second-largest fundraising time of the year – with spring donation letters and events in full force. But the speed at which life has changed has some nonprofits thinking twice about fundraising ... at least right now. What’s the right approach for you?

Most nonprofits have these annual tax summaries out to donors by January 31. But these aren’t just a donor thank you. When done correctly, they’re both a legal record and a donor stewardship and retention tool.

Hundreds of nonprofits have downloaded this basic fundraising plan template over the last year. That’s because it can take you from “I somehow have to raise $X,XXX,XXX … ” to “I have a documented plan with well-defined, manageable tasks!”

Nonprofit annual reports have a bad reputation. But when done well, they can be a vital tool to retain and grow gifts from the donors you have — and even inspire the donors you don’t have.

I’ve had the honor of serving alongside some truly talented fundraisers. A recent article on leadership got me thinking about these fundraising leaders, and how easy it is for nonprofits to veer off course without them.

A grumpy note from a donor can spoil your day. But if you’re open to learning, you may discover new ways to improve donor stewardship and boost donor retention rates.

My parents taught me to give of my time. That led me to a nonprofit career and, as soon as I could, to become as generous of a donor as possible. If I had more, I would give more. But the sad truth is, I have tried to give more and failed repeatedly. Here’s why.

No one likes to be fooled, especially where money is concerned. But if you’re a novice to the fundraising world, it’s easy to get distracted by all the fads that clog your inbox. Here are 6 of the top myths that I hear new fundraisers repeat. Let’s do some myth-busting with the latest research on these topics.

If your charity mail can convey the feeling of getting a letter from friends or family, even a tiny bit, I’d argue it leans more toward the kind of mail we need (and save!) rather than the kind of mail that’s headed straight into the recycle bin.

It doesn’t matter whether your nonprofit is in Arizona or Abuja. The one audience that seems to vex us the most is donors. How can we keep up with what donors are thinking and tell them stories that will inspire them to give? Thinking through your “buyer journey” is a good place to start. Here’s how.

Shakespeare penned the words, “Beware the ides of March,” in his play Julius Caesar. The piece recounts the Roman ruler’s assassination by angry mob and stabbing. I hate to be dramatic, but sometimes being a fundraiser can feel just like that.  Here's how to deal with disgruntled donors and still keep your cool.