Thoughts from the Group

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...

Picture this: It's a Tuesday morning after endowment reporting season, and I'm sipping my third cup of coffee (let's not judge). My inbox...

Many of us have that one donor story—a family or individual we've met who made an impact on us and the way we approach our work. We're...

Awards season is in full swing, and while we might not have red-carpet hosts like Giuliana Rancic or Laverne Cox to guide us through the...

Bespoke engagement plans for top donors are one of the hottest topics in fundraising, and for good reason––the “one-size-fits-all”...

Gamification, the strategic use of game elements, empowers nonprofits to transform traditional fundraising and engagement methods into...

We just sent out our loyal donor milestone mailer this month. We honor the donors who have given to our organization for at least five...

At the risk of sounding hyperbolic, it’s hard to imagine a more powerful tool than a custom survey of your organization’s donor base. I...

The only thing constant is change . Greek philosophers have given the world much to ponder over a few thousand years, but this...

Of The 4 PIllars of Donor Relations , perhaps the fastest changing pillar is that of recognition. Even saying the word “recognition”...

A donor has chosen your organization to receive a gift—Congratulations! Now, what’s next? Beyond sending a prompt tax receipt and...

Dear Google, You got it wrong. I love the Olympics. I’ve been watching it nonstop on the Peacock app. But far too frequently, I’ve had to...

One of the more fascinating—and often truly baffling—aspects of the donor experience is what happens to our data after we make a gift....