This week, we’ll take a longer look at a specific editing process for appeal letters. Much of it is counter-intuitive, so close your eyes and trust the advice....
First, think of a Spring Appeal as more of a member communication than a fundraising letter. Spring Appeals tend to be more challenging, but sending them and making them attractive enough to get opened can have significant communications benefits beyond simply asking for a donation....
Unlike renewal letters, appeal letters ARE complicated. Writing good appeal letters takes TIME. So why not start now – in February? Be creative. Make it FUN. But start writing it NOW to give yourself time to write it well....
Unlike recruitment and appeal letters, (See A Dozen Rules for Writing Better Fundraising Letters), renewal letters aren’t complicated. They are short and to the point. The essential “case” for giving is that they gave last year and the year before. It is good practice to...
February is a month I’m devoting to writing well and with that writing, connecting more with the donors who sustain us. I invite you to join me....
This year, I invite you to join me in writing differently. Let’s commit ourselves to anticipating more often. Getting ahead of the curve. Let our writing steep more. Write in such a way that our audiences will read it. Be more effective communicators....
I once read that organizations should thank their donors seven times. How do you even do that? Here are some ideas to get you thinking:...
A Top 100 (or T-100) is simply a list of top donor prospects. These are people who warrant and deserve your special cultivation attention. This is the list of priority donor prospects that the board members should be working with. ...
My Board is considering adopting a resolution that stipulates that 20% of every grant will be used for admin ...
Volunteers have three experiences when they work for you, and all three should be positive to keep them coming back and inspiring others to do the same. Each event coordinator can influence these factors with a little forethought and organization. ...