Direct mail is my least favorite kind of fundraising. Why? And yet, at some level, it works or nonprofits wouldn’t spend all the time and money sending mail appeals. Fear of losing donors is real. It can be easy to forget that donors are just people. So year-end is also a time Read more…
The Art of Appreciation I just finished a book that educated and moved me deeply: How to Say Babylon, a memoir by Safiya Sinclair. There were so many moments of awe in her story. For me, one of them was her acknowledgments. It was a reminder of the art of appreciation. In fundraising, Read more…
I have strong ties to West Marin, a stunning region of two dozen small towns and many ranches. When Shelley Rugg attended one of my fundraising workshops for small nonprofits (hosted by the West Marin Fund), she really wowed me! Read on to learn about her home-GROwn story as a new executive director Read more…
“I love the work you do. How can I help?” This kind of interaction is your golden opportunity to make connections and get needs met. It’s vital to have a specific, comprehensive answer to this question. You never know what resources or connections they have to offer, which is why Read more…
Rethinking Donor Events This week I was honored to teach fundraising at a United Way nonprofit capacity-building program. The room is always filled with organizations doing amazing work, and I learn so much from them! We were talking about finding ease in donor engagement. One group had planned a breakfast Read more…