Too often, fundraising begins with a dollar goal before it has a story worth telling. But donors are not motivated solely because of the dollar amounts needed to complete fundraising goals. They give because a narrative calls to them — a narrative where they see...
Why 3-Year Trends Matter More Than One-Time Gifts In fundraising, it’s tempting to celebrate when overall dollars go up. But behind every headline is a deeper truth: a few big gifts can mask donor erosion, retention challenges, and a weakening grassroots base. Thanks...
Opening Scene: The Dessert That Sparked a RelationshipOn a quiet Sunday afternoon in March, we served dessert and poured coffee. The room was filled with laughter, ladies, stories, and a special guest—a meteorologist who also happened to be our state’s Miss America...
Donors Give Because They Feel Connected Over the years, one of my most effective donor practices was simple: a personal thank-you call followed by one question— “What prompted you to give?” Those conversations offered more perspective on donor motivation, interests,...
This post continues a three-part series exploring relationship-based philanthropy and nonprofit sustainability. While the main blog outlines the broader renewed focus toward deeper donor engagement, this piece looks more closely at major donor development—how...
