Many Board members and even staff are still operating as if $100 was an enormous number. They are reaching for arms-length solutions because actually getting to know donors is too scary. And they are sending letters and emails that never actually ask. They are waiting...
This is not a time to be timid. Putting a strong vision on the table that will touch, move, and inspire your donorbase and then investing both time and money into building one-on-one relationships and engaging everyone in your organization in doing so – that’s...
Most of us are familiar with the basics of a gift chart, sometimes called a donor pyramid. Gift charts are commonly used in capital campaigns – and rarely used outside of campaigns. But you can also use them for annual fundraising. Here’s how you might...
I believe nonprofits everywhere are seeing renewal rates less than 50% because they are making the same bet TNC made. They are reaching for the transactional. They believe someone interested in protecting a certain place, or making an impulse decision after attending an event, will...
On every Board, there are a handful of Board members who are interested in aggressively pursuing corporate support. It seems logical to them that the business community would support community nonprofits as part of their commitment to community service. It should be easy money....
17 June 2025 By David Allen, Development for Conservation Your land trust probably uses events for all sorts of reasons. You might have an annual “olly-olly-oxen-free” member meeting. Maybe an annual fundraising event, gala, or auction. Maybe an event just to show donors how much you appreciate...
For a campaign ask to be successful, three factors must come into play. The gift prospect must have the money – that’s a given. They must also see themselves as philanthropists – people who can provide help toward the campaign goal and are willing to...
Getting yourself outside is enormously helpful for fundraising. My son once told me that he wanted to share something with me because it helped make it real for him. I knew immediately what he meant. You need to do the same thing and for the...
27 May 2024 By David Allen, Development for Conservation For whatever reason, land trusts all over the country are exploring the possibility of launching capital campaigns – and most of them for the first time. If you are one of them, and you were to call me...
20 May 2024 By David Allen, Development for Conservation I got on a plane last week heading to Detroit from Madison. I was on my way to Connecticut to work with a land trust on a capital campaign. On my seat, a postcard was waiting for me with...