Donor Cultivation + Donor Giving + Donor Prospect Research + Donor Recognition + Donor Relationship Management + Donor Relationships + Donor Screening + Donors + Stewardship

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

Powerpoint presentation.  Read more

Habits are hard to break. Thus, it is not surprising that we often go back to the same comfortable sources for funding because we can count on them for support. While having great relationships with funding partners is good, always asking for help from the same friends can wear out the relationship. So now is a great time to step back and look for sources that may be closer to your organization than you think — but haven’t been asked recently to help. Let’s step into the “opportunity zone” and identify new potential sources beyond the usual places for funding.

Begin by looking at your donor list. You might say — that is the usual place. However, many donors who are steady supporters with a small gift every year may have the potential to give more or be connected to a foundation or corporation. When was the last time you looked at donors that have made a contribution every year for the last five years — even if it was a small gift? Pick a gift range. If you are small organization it might be $25 donors who have given for five years — a larger organization might pick $100. Then approach them by asking not for a gift, but for help.  Read more