Posts Tagged ‘capital campaigns’
The Power of Thank You in Fundraising and in Life
“I was in line at the grocery store the other day. The cashier was really rude to people. When it was my turn, I handed her my money, she grabbed it, gave me my change, and that was it. I couldn’t help myself. I asked, ‘Would it kill you to at least say thank you?’…
Read MoreThe Power of a Positive Suggestion for a Fundraising Gift
Asking for money is, for many people, one of the most difficult things to do. For those of us involved with not-for-profit organizations, however, it is a critical task. We have to continually work to identify and assess new prospects. We must also hone our skills as solicitors. Even the most experienced fundraiser needs to…
Read MoreThe Major Gift Visit – Firing for Effect
Major gifts are the key to successful fund-raising. Major gifts take many forms, often depending on the needs, the goal and the method of solicitation. For the purposes of this discussion, major gifts are the top gifts in a capital campaign that comprise at least 60% of the funds raised. Typically, major gifts in a…
Read MoreCampaign Committee Prospect Evaluation
Prospect evaluation during the early parts of a capital campaign is perhaps one of the most awkward activities. The key is to have a well-developed strategy that demystifies the process, puts the campaign volunteers at ease, and draws out clear conclusions about which prospects represent the greatest potential for support. The benefits reaped from candid…
Read MoreEmpowering Your Campaign Volunteers
Capital campaign volunteers are the lifeblood of a nonprofit organization. They are passionate advocates for organizations, sharing their involvement with friends, neighbors, and colleagues. A nonprofit will not find more effective public relations than a motivated volunteer, especially during a capital campaign. A common oversight during the planning stages of a capital campaign is to…
Read MoreProfessional Fees
There are not many barriers to entry to the fundraising consulting profession. New people hang out a shingle every day. Some have considerable experience, yet many do not. All you need is a phone, and/or a website, a laptop and voila, you are and expert—perhaps working in the neighborhood Starbucks as your office. That is…
Read MoreThe Internet Fundraising Bonanza
Isn’t this Internet world a wonderful place? All we have to do is create a beautiful website and they will come running in masses, right? Yeah, right, and they’ll be dragging bags of money with them too!
Read MoreSetting Realistic Goals in Your Fundraising
It is vital to establish realistic fundraising goals based on sound research and thorough planning. Realistic goals reflect both the organization’s understanding of its financial structure and its capability to challenge existing and prospective donors. To learn more about financial goal setting for your campaign, check out our related article. Setting Realistic Fundraising Goals Start…
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