Donor-Centered Fundraising

Dear Louise: When I realized you had graduated in 1993, I just had to check the records. Yes, you were indeed in my first-year chemistry class in 1989. You were there on the first day of the [...]

There are some amazing stories in the news lately about determined, isolated runners completing a marathon on their treadmills, or carving out a route inside their apartments or even running back [...]

At times like this, when my financial situation is threatened…it is difficult to trust my heart. My head gets in the way and tells me to be practical and hold back. Collectively, if we all do [...]

Why just any kind of thank you call, done whenever, by whomever is not donor-centered and likely won’t work.

Giving Tuesday is over for another year, but if you think your job today is to add up how much money came in yesterday and congratulate yourselves…it is! So do that and then turn your attention [...]

Recently, the Burk Donor Survey featured a report on why alumni do or do not give to their alma maters. I was intrigued to discover how big issues such as student debt or rating their education [...]

In my previous blog, “Is Giving Tuesday Helping or Hurting Fundraising”, I referenced how this fundraiser is contributing to the over-solicitation of active donors and risking their future [...]

It’s been five years since the first Giving Tuesday, and as fundraisers are celebrating its highest returns ever, the cracks are beginning to show. Our research is revealing a not-so-attractive [...]

Over the years I have asked donors hundreds of questions about philanthropy and fundraising, but my favorite is always, “Can you remember the first time you gave?” Every donor can. Consciously [...]

In every research study I have conducted over the past twenty years, donors have said that, more than anything else, information about what past contributions have achieved is the thing that [...]