If we had asked our donors to consider a pledge of $500,000, we might not have gotten it, of course, but we would have improved our chances of getting $250,000 or even $100,000. When we failed to give the donors a clue, they chose an...
For most people you will be soliciting, $100 should be requested in the letter. So $100 should be the second lowest amount with only one amount – usually $35 or $50 – lower than $100. (Do you EVER need to offer more than one option...
“When your fundraising says, Give us money so we can do amazing things, you will raise less money,” says Brooks. “Because you’re missing the point. You’ll raise more if you say Do amazing things by giving us money.” ...
25 February 2025 By David Allen, Development for Conservation Before I start in on this week’s topic, I want to ask for your help in gathering data for a future blog post. If you are willing to participate, here’s what I will need from you: Isolate the...
15 October 2024 By David Allen, Development for Conservation Bob, why don’t you ask for money in your letters? It’s more efficient to ask everyone for the same amount. Or not to really ask at all, leaving the amount given entirely up to the donor to determine. Even though...
12 August 2024 By David Allen, Development for Conservation When you sit down to write your appeal letter (or renewal letter), who are you writing to? The general public? The membership? The donors? Or to someone specifically? As if you knew them really well. Just sharing good news...
6 August 2024 By David Allen, Development for Conservation I seem to collect books that I never find the time to read. I’m probably not alone in that. I have good intentions. Some are purchased, some are gifted. But all of the hold some significant level of...
23 July 2024 By David Allen, Development for Conservation I started raising money as a canvasser in Eugene Oregon. It was to be a summer job in 1983, and it turned into a career. It’s safe to say I had no idea what I was getting myself...
20 February 2024 By David Allen, Development for Conservation Last week and this, I am drawing a distinction between the form and content of two types of fundraising letters: renewals and appeals. Last week’s post focused on writing letters to people who gave you money last year...
6 June 2023 By David Allen, Development for Conservation I’m still reviewing far too many fundraising letters that fail the most basic test of asking for money. They dance around the idea by asking someone to “be generous” or “give a little bit more” or “renew again...