Annual, Individual Fundraising for Small, Smart Nonprofits.

Why you should abandon LYBUNTS and SYBUNTS.

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Unless you are brand-new to the world fundraising, I’d be willing to bet you’ve heard the terms LYBUNT (last year but unfortunately not this) and SYBUNT (some years but unfortunately not this) in reference to donors who’ve failed to renew their support.

Despite the fact this jargon is deeply engrained in the nonprofit fundraising lexicon (your donor database probably has a canned report that will automatically pull a list of lybunts, for example), it’s misleading, problematic, and should be banished from your terminology asap.

Here’s why…
 [Read more…]

Smart Annual Giving Connection Podcast Episode 4: The Donor Cultivation Funnel

We’ll dive deeper into the “donor funnel,” exploring this concept and how to go about building a donor action plan for each step in the funnel – from prospective donor all the way to major donor. This is the 3rd installment in our series on developing a donor management or “moves management” cultivation process.

Add our podcast feed to your favorite podcast player using the feed URL:  https://smartannualgiving.com/podcast/feed/

 

Get Your Annual Fundraising Ducks in a Row

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Feeling behind because it’s already February and you haven’t nailed down your entire fundraising plan for the year yet?

Don’t worry!  You’re not alone.

During January, while the rest of the world is focused on their fresh, inspired plans for the new year, those of us in annual fundraising are still feverishly wrapping up our year-end campaign, which certainly doesn’t end on December 31st!

There are gifts trickling in that need to be processed, donors to thank, campaign wrap-up emails to write, and stats to calculate — not to mention a well-deserved rest day (or two) to enjoy!

That essentially wipes out January for most of us.

By the time February rolls around, we’re often left feeling that we are already miles behind!

Instead of struggling to jump right back on that hamster wheel, let’s make February (and even March) our time to step back, collect our thoughts, reflect on the past year, and plan for the year ahead.

Here’s how to get started crafting your annual fundraising plan… [Read more…]

The single best way to raise more money in the coming year.

Stocksy_single dollarFor each one of us involved in nonprofit fundraising, our ultimate goal for the coming year boils down to just one thing:

Raise more money.

The problem is, there are so many ways to go about pursing this goal, it often becomes completely overwhelming to decide which route to take.

This is especially true at the start of the year as we try to nail down our tasks for the next 12 months.  What exactly should we do to raise more money? Which of the infinite number of tasks available will be the most effective?

I submit to you that there is, in fact, one single task that will raise more money for your organization this year. [Read more…]

7 Ways to Involve Your Board in Your Year-end Fundraising Campaign

Help Wanted Sign

As a nonprofit fundraiser you are about to get extremely busy.

Year-end is coming!

There are appeals to create, stories to write, lists to segment, checks to process, donors to thank, social media tactics to learn, and email subject lines to test. At this overwhelming time of year, it’s tricky to juggle all these important tasks.

So what’s the best way to get it all done? Delegate!

Since nonprofit board members are constantly told they should participate in fundraising, but “hate asking for money,” they are the perfect candidates to help with your campaign.

Here are 10 year-end fundraising tasks and projects that are perfect for the board member or engaged key volunteer to jump in and take the reins: [Read more…]

The Smart Annual Giving Connection Podcast Episode 2: Donor Segmentation

Donor segmentation is an essential part of a healthy annual fundraising program and plays a key role in moves management. In this episode of the Smart Annual Giving Connection, we discuss why many nonprofits still pursue a one-size-fits-all approach rather than consciously and strategically managing their donors in small, logical groups. We explore the many different ways nonprofits might choose to segment their donors, how to prioritize segments, and share how your nonprofit can improve donor retention and loyalty through segmentation.

Add our podcast feed to your favorite podcast player using the feed URL:  https://smartannualgiving.com/podcast/feed/

 

The Smart Annual Giving Connection Podcast Episode 1: Moves Management

I’m thrilled to announce the launch of the new podcast, The Smart Annual Giving Connection. Each episode will explore a common annual giving question or challenge and will often feature guest experts or in-the-trenches fundraisers who’ll share their wisdom and experience. Hope you enjoy our first episode!


Download Audio Here

Moves Management is a concept that sometimes feels out of reach for many small nonprofits. Yet it is a crucial element of a strong annual fundraising program. In this episode, we discuss what moves management actually is, why it is important, why it is often neglected and how small to mid-size nonprofits can get started implementing some basic moves management activities without becoming overwhelmed.

Add to your favorite podcast player using the feed URL:  https://smartannualgiving.com/podcast/feed/

Announcing The Donor Management Blueprint Course!

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Smart Annual Giving is thrilled to announce the launch of our first online course!

The Donor Management Blueprint is a 4-module, multi-media course that shows you how to create a simple, manageable, data-driven system to guide your donors on their journey from potential donor… to new donor… to committed partner… to major donor.  You’ll strengthen your annual fundraising and improve donor retention.

This course is designed to help you…

  • Understand your donor data – and use it to illuminate the big picture of your entire donorbase.
  • Increase gift amounts from your individual donors – of any gift size.
  • Identify and nurture your most valuable donors – from potential donor to major donor.
  • Create a strategic segmentation plan – and understand why this is critical.
  • Know exactly what and when to communicate to your supporters – no more indecisiveness!
  • Get the most out of your current donor database software – and finally use it to help you raise more money.
  • Increase donor retention for your best donors and overall.

Get the details of the 2018 Donor Management Course here!


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Smart Annual Giving helps small nonprofits harness the power of a well-planned, well-resourced annual giving program.

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