Thoughts from the Group

Imagine that you’ve just decided to take a road trip, so you plug your destination into Waze. It gives you two route options: Route A 🛣️ : Green lights and clear roads. Arrival Time: 2-3 Minutes Route B 🚧 : Riddled with potholes, traffic jams, detours, and construction zones. Arrival Time: 2-3(ish) Business Days Which route would you choose? Obviously, Route A—right? This is the exact scenario we present to donors when we ask them to give or renew their support.  The destin

We say fundraising is funny, but today? I’m not laughing. This week, the nonprofit sector was jolted by a decision from GoFundMe that—if it had gone unchecked—could’ve threatened one of our most sacred responsibilities: our relationship with donors. If you’ve been around here a while, you know I don’t just talk about donor relations— I live it. Every keynote I give, every blog I write, every late-night brainstorm with my team stems from one simple belief: Donors aren’t data p

Dear Colleagues, Buckle up: What I’m about to share is so egregious, so deeply disrespectful to our donors and our missions, it should leave every nonprofit professional incensed. GoFundMe—yes, that  GoFundMe—has created over 1.4 million donation pages  for U.S. nonprofits without  consent. Let me say that again for the people in the back: They are fundraising in your organization’s name without telling you. This isn’t just a tech snafu. This is a full-frontal assault on the

If you’ve ever tried an escape room, you know the deal. You get locked in a room with a handful of teammates, a countdown clock, and a...

Think back to the last time someone thanked you in a way that made you smile, maybe it was a heartfelt note, an unexpected gesture, or...

When we take a closer look at thriving advancement shops, one thing stands out: they all view donor relations as a long-term,...

If you asked me why I love Donor Relations work, I could give you so many reasons. I love finding ways to express gratitude. I love...

In large, matrixed nonprofit organizations, donor experiences can vary greatly from unit to unit. Without shared standards, one donor may...

Let’s talk about a behavior that is slowly but surely sabotaging nonprofit professionals everywhere—and not in some grand dramatic...

Donors want to feel seen and known. Too often, we focus our donor communications on what we want them to do—give again, upgrade, attend....

In today's turbulent higher education landscape and competitive philanthropic environment, donor retention remains the cornerstone of...

Imagine this: a donor calls you, confused by a recent pledge reminder. As they describe what’s in front of them, you feel a pit in your...

In donor relations, we often talk about gratitude, stewardship, and impact, but the most transformative moments happen when we translate...

As a consultant, one of my favorite client projects is a donor relations program assessment . There’s real power in requesting an...

Nothing quite compares to the moment when the final guest waves goodbye and the lights dim at the end of an event. It’s the culmination...

Donor retention isn’t rocket science—but it is  science. Behavioral  science, that is. And there is already a treasure trove of...

I love donor events—like capital L.O.V.E.—I really, really love donor events. I love how a good event can create a strong emotional...

We encounter many firsts throughout our lives, and these experiences often shape our future decisions. For example, when you buy your...

Donor feedback. Sometimes, we seek it; other times, it comes to us unsolicited, and usually, when we least expect it. Feedback—regardless...

When I was a young fundraiser starting out in major gifts (a story for another day…), I was paired with a much more seasoned fundraiser...