You spent lots of time cultivating and soliciting the top donors to your organization and planning letters and email campaigns for the broad base of supports, but what about your middle donors? Those who give more than you might get through the mail but not quite to the major gift level. Learn strategies to get and keep these often forgotten donors engaged and giving to your organization.

More than half of donors who give once never give again. By cultivating first time donors with programs specifically geared to them and welcoming them into your organizational family, you can turn them into lifetime donors.

In the spirit of the new year, I thought I would suggest some New Year’s Resolutions that you – the development professional – might consider to make this year your best one yet.

Happy Holidays from Wastyn & Associates

More than half of donors who give once never give again. By cultivating first time donors with programs specifically geared to them and welcoming them into your organizational family, you can turn them into lifetime donors.

We tell our children stories for a reason; they work to relay important information and lessons. Use that to tell stories in your appeals, whether a letter, social media post, grant, or meeting with a donor.

In a profession where the demand outstrips the supply of professionals, we cannot afford to burnout the people working in it. Instead, we need to care for ourselves and each other so we can continue to effectively serve our missions.

Your work does not end when the last guest leaves your event or you clean the last table. That's actually when your work should begin to keep them engaged with you and make a lasting difference.

Make first time donors feel appreciated and showing them what a difference their gift made. But how can you do this? Read this week’s post for a few “simple” suggestions.

Like most development professionals, you probably have a never ending to do list. Learn how you can prioritize your time better to meet the goals of your organization while working in the areas where you are most efficient and effective. Work strategically so you can work smarter not harder.

Last week we talked about the cost to raise a dollar through different fundraising methods. What does this mean for your bottom line, especially when it takes so much of your time to meet with major donors? How is that more cost effective?

You need to take time for professional development, whether in person or virtually, to relax, recharge, and grow in your profession.

Do you know how much it costs to raise a dollar for your organization? If not, how can you assure that you invest your time where it makes the most financial sense.

Soliciting corporate gift should mirror how you ask for money from individuals … with a focus on best practices of major gift fundraising as your model.

As we head into that all important final quarter of the year, you might ask yourself how the economy – and continued unpredictability of the pandemic – could impact your year-end giving campaign.

Do you see others in your community getting 6, 7, even 8 figure gifts and wonder how you can get one too? It takes a lot of work, patience and luck. Learn what you can do to increase your chances of receiving one of these transformational gifts for your organization.