human resources
Silver bullets and cross stitch
At every conference I have ever been to there has been a session called ‘the next big thing’ and delegates turn up expectantly hoping for a silver bullet that will give them all the answers. Read more…
communication
The State of Relationship Fundraising – A Conversation
This is the first of two blogs looking comprehensively, and provocatively, at the state of relationship fundraising. In this first blog, we define relationship fundraising, and look at its implications, strengths and weaknesses. In the Read more…
acquisition
Brilliant model for brilliant proposals for brilliant target groups!
Having trouble framing the right case for support for specific donors? Do all your proposals address roughly the same issues? Are all your proposals aimed at roughly the same target group? Are you looking to Read more…
acquisition
Five big reasons your fundraising results could be better
(And they’re all about your audience) There are hundreds, perhaps thousands, of tactics we can apply to get better fundraising results. But what are the big things that make the really big differences? 1. You’re Read more…
acquisition
Make Poverty History Lesson: what can it teach us 10 years on?
You probably remember it much as I do: the white wristbands, the star-studded Live8 concert, the remarkable celebrity ‘finger click’ ads, Blair and Brown and the G8 summit engaged and involved. And all of it Read more…
donors
A retention vision like Billie Holiday
Across the charity sector we literally spend days on the creation of boardroom presentations, we meet for hours in cross-functional working groups, and the other half of the day we’re either in one-on-one or team Read more…
high value donors
For major gifts success: rely on proven systems. Not luck, hope, or willpower
We’ve all worked with gift officers who “wing it.” We’ve probably even caught ourselves “winging it” at one time or another. What do I mean? You’re winging it if you sit down at your desk Read more…
acquisition
Storytelling – it’s more important than you think
The sense I get is that many fundraisers think “Stories oh yeh – they’re important but not critical”. It’s seen as a nice to have. “What we need for our fundraising campaign is a catchy Read more…
individuals
Why I’m Not a Fan of Welcome Packs
‘Hate’ would be too strong a word. I really just think we can all do so much better. I know every charity that sends a welcome pack to new donors has the best of intentions. Read more…
corporate
Trustees/Board Members: Best friends or worst enemies?
Those responsible for the governance of non-profits are often our worst enemies when they could be our best friends. (I am referring to volunteer leaders) Let me quote a poem from a great British poet Read more…
campaigns
Catching the Not-for-Profit Goldfish
It’s Sunday morning and I’m helping my 9 year-old son with his math homework. 60 sums, 10 seconds each, all in his head. By question 50 he gets frustrated as thoughts of Lego dominate. It’s Read more…
Latest posts
How to grow fundraising leaders
Who would be a leader? Rarely worshipped nowadays, often reviled. Unable to live up to expectations or confirming people’s negative impressions. The weight of the world on your shoulders but often dependent on others. First Read more…
campaigns
Why use the ‘WHY’ in 2015?
Have you heard about the ‘why’? And why it’s so important to find the ‘why’ of your organization in order to raise more money? I guess you do. You’ve probably read about it in books, Read more…
acquisition
Do you notice when you are being nudged?
Every year a collection of new or recycled buzzwords arrive on the fundraising circuit. Last year they were ‘behavioural economics’, ‘neuroscience’, ‘nudging’ and ‘decision science’. All the conference sessions with these words in the title Read more…
communication
Does being donor-focused have to mean giving donors choice?
Give donors more choice over where their money goes. It sounds like a no-brainer, doesn’t it? If we want to be supporter-focused, and help them feel genuinely close to the mission, why wouldn’t we let Read more…
high value donors
Making and KEEPING Major Gift (and Personal) New Year’s Resolutions
I do it every year. Think about what I want to do differently in the months ahead. Lose weight. Exercise more. Learn a language. Be a more effective manager. Listen. January finds me strong and Read more…
communication
The Ghost of Christmas Future
Think back to Christmas when you were a kid. What did that look like? How did you celebrate? How much of your Christmas shopping was done online? How many relatives did you Skype with on Read more…
governance
The Annual Lectures 2014: Highlights and Recurring Themes
With 2014 drawing to a close, for many of us thoughts turn to what 2015 has in store. It’s an ideal time to get inspiration from some of the fundraising industry’s brightest brains. And what Read more…
governance
How to get your director to love you
Let’s presume you have this great innovative idea for recruiting new donors and there is just one hurdle to overcome: a ‘final go’ on the extra budget from your director or management team. For some Read more…
communication
Is working out your brand positioning and your brand’s target audience a waste of time?
Well, there’s a provocative question or two. But I’d suggest the answer is yes, it probably is. It all started with a throw-away comment from a client, that a year after working out their ideal Read more…
individuals
Supporter journey thinking
In many occasions fundraisers manage stand-alone direct mail campaigns, telemarketing campaigns or any other channel-campaigns. With hardly any idea whether the timing and proposition are suitable to the supporter, but just because they fit general Read more…
book review
The Call for Leaders
I’ve been thinking a lot about leadership lately. Why’s that? Because, after four years of becoming pretty darn good at what I do, 2015 will bring with it the next big learning – in a Read more…
Latest posts
Evidence and Ideas: The scientific approach to fundraising?
There has been much online huffing and puffing recently about ‘evidence’ v ‘opinion.’ The scientific method in fundraising is misunderstood too often. On dozens of occasions I have found myself in debates at fundraising conferences Read more…
human resources
My Top 5 Takeaways From the International Fundraising Congress
This year in Holland, fundraisers from around the world gathered to learn, connect, share and grow at the International Fundraising Conference (IFC). It was my first time at IFC. After years of hearing how it Read more…
acquisition
The Fundraising Power of Curiosity
When the International Fundraising Conference opens on Wednesday in the Netherlands it will not only benefit attendees, it will send a signal on the power and importance of “curiosity.” Folks spend a lot of money, Read more…
