I’m going to make an assumption that you’re a hard worker. I’m sure that you try to engage your donors and prospects with communications that focus on the impact of each individual’s investment in your mission and that you’re now preparing to reap the benefits of your hard work.

If only it were that easy. Do you agree that keeping your donors loyal, engaged, and giving is a really big challenge? “Keeping” is an interesting word, isn’t it? I’m not simply talking about retention here. Loyalty is what I’m after for you.

When we talk to nonprofits, we ask about donor loyalty—the process of keeping donors invested in and giving to your mission.

The thing about loyalty is that there has to be an e...

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. Are you ready to show your donors “the love”? Don’t be shy, tell them how much they mean to you and your organization! They already like you, however, we know some secrets that will make them LOVE you! Like any healthy relationship you can’t express your feelings just one day a year, like Valentine’s Day. Hold their affections and interest by telling them throughout the year how much THEY mean to you.

Donor retention is one not-so-secret secret for continued growth for a non-profit. Is your individual fundraising and stewardship program leaving your donors feeling lonely? You can easily change that by building those relationships through effectiv...

Hello, I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself. My name is Lynnette Doherty and I am the new Marketing Manager for Rescigno’s Fundraising Professionals.

As a former Development Manager of a nonprofit, I understand the daily struggles of fundraising and the importance of cultivating and building relationships with donors. Communication is key! Although this may be an overused phrase, its significance, especially in the nonprofit world, is abundant. This is especially true when it comes to thanking donors.

When you think about it, saying thank you is the first step to getting the next gift.

Acknowledgements go beyond a grateful “thank you.”  Detailing how a donor’s gift made an impact wi...

Your CEO, president, or chairman of your board of directors may have their own ideas about what it takes to be successful when it comes to direct mail fundraising. Some of those ideas may even make sense. Others though, could really hurt your direct mail efforts.

When it comes to coping with people who are well intentioned, but unschooled in fundraising, here are some words to live by: don’t change your appeals simply to please someone who says, What we’re doing right now isn’t working. Let’s try it my way.

Do “simple” better. Here’s how:

• Understanding what motivates your audience and speaking to their needs is the most critical element of the pre-planning process. Then you can think about...

Many potential donors look at an organization’s mission statement before they decide to give a first gift. Does your organization prioritize donors first by making them the focal point of your mission statement?

Go ahead and take a look at your mission statement. I’ll bet that for every 10 of you who look at it, nine don’t even mention donors.

Your mission statement should tug at emotions while at the same time allow your donors and prospects to envision how they can help you achieve your mission.

What I’m really suggesting here is that you re-structure your organization in such a way that you stop serving children, the needy, the sick or uneducated, etc. long enough to put all of your resou...