Donor Giving

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One of the first etiquette lessons most parents teach their children is the importance of saying "please" and "thank you." For those of us working in the nonprofit field today, we are always asking for donations; we are accustomed to saying, "please." However, it is sometimes easy to forget to say "thank you" to our donors. So how do we say thank you in a way that is appropriate to our donors?

Why should you thank you donors? Not only is it good common sense and good etiquette. But on the asking side of the coin, it is much easier and cheaper to retain a current donor than it is to locate a new one! In fact, the Fundraising Effectiveness Project, currently being conducted by AFP and the Urban Institute, cite statistics that prove that finding a new donor costs more than six times the cost of keeping a current donor.  Read more

Many nonprofit clubs describe themselves as having an annual appeal, but upon further investigation, what the annual appeal consists of may be a letter sent to members once a year or on occasions when funds are needed for special projects. A strong development program consists of far more than just an annual direct mail appeal. For most successful clubs, annual giving may include personal visits with individual major donors, a corporate appeal, a telephone campaign, Internet fundraising and direct mail.

Annual giving is an important component of your nonprofit club's development program for several reasons:

• It is generally unrestricted money and can be used for operating expenses such as salaries
• It helps build relationships with new and existing members
• The methods and techniques used can lay the groundwork for other fundraising efforts such as a capital campaign.

The annual giving appeal should be a major focus of your development plan and should attempt to diversify your constituent base and the fundraising methods to be used.  Read more

In the aftermath of a year that has shown the world the very best and, at times, the worst face of philanthropy, our country is more aware than ever of financial abuse, misuse and fraud on the part of charities and nonprofit organizations. Many people are more reluctant than ever to donate time, talent and treasure to the many nonprofit organizations that truly need and deserve help. It becomes increasingly difficult for donors and volunteers to decide which organizations deserve their support and which ones will use their gifts wisely.

How does the thoughtful donor select from among the many charities that ask for money? How does one decide which organizations deserve and need their money and their time? By what criteria can a person judge if their money is being used wisely?  Read more