By: Scott Jones, MPA, CFRE, CAI, BAS Expressing gratitude is a powerful way to strengthen relationships, especially with donors. Showing appreciation not only demonstrates that you value your donors but also makes them feel like an essential part of your team. Personalized thank you messages can create goodwill and increase donor engagement. Here are [...]
By: Shannon Eason, Fundraising Auctioneer "Ok, our goal is to keep our program mission focused, the timeline tight, a fabulous guest experience, and break records in our fundraising!" said everyone in the nonprofit world holding a gala. But then, there's a slight mention of a "KEYNOTE SPEAKER". "Wait, did you just say you're having [...]
By: Erin Williams, Fundraising Auctioneer Websites, social media, email, and mobile fundraising are interconnected components in the digital fundraising landscape. While each channel plays a unique role, they should operate with one mission and message. Websites: Central Hub: A website often serves as the central hub for an organization's online presence. It provides detailed [...]
By: Shannon Eason I was doing an introductory call with a new client. Something they said really resonated with me and I wondered, "Why aren't I hearing this more often?" Yes, you're wondering what they said, aren't you? "Our event last year was....well, forgettable. How do we make our event this year UNforgettable?" That's a [...]
By: Dan Campbell Do you know the rules for Raffles and Games of Chance? Many nonprofits use games of chance and auctions as fundraising vehicles – without realizing that “legalized games of chance” are regulated activities, and indeed illegal in many states. So that poker night or silent auction that created such a buzz…make [...]
By: Gloria Kelley Our overarching belief is that “everyone can do something.” Committees are a meaningful avenue for that to happen, especially with your special events. Some volunteers have limited time and resources. That’s fine. We appreciate their working on one event, maybe if only to help create packages, set up or just greet [...]
By: Shannon Eason Are you thinking of including children at your next event? Trying to be proactive in teaching philanthropy to our young people? Generation Alpha are defined as those born from 2010-2024. A little math help will tell you that includes children from birth to age 14. While that’s a big gap, some [...]
By: Dan Campbell As we try to cater to the millennial crowd who are showing different giving methods, we look to create unique and creative ways for them to engage and participate in the fundraising. One such idea is a Buy-in Party. Also known as a Count Me In, Sign Up Party, or Buy [...]
By: Dan Campbell Fundraising Auctioneer Have you ever worried about the amount of interest people will have in the auction items you have procured for the live auction? Having an item that flops in terms of interest can seem like a momentum killer, yet we sometimes need to take risks to achieve our fundraising [...]
By: Gloria Kelley Fundraising Consultant “Charity” is a limiting concept that tends to be crisis-oriented and indicative of a weakness of some sort. This ultimately leads to the “tin cup” syndrome of fundraising (i.e., begging, impulsive, emotional, and, worst of all, token in nature). Those were the old days! Philanthropy, however, is a much [...]
