Fundraising faces changing times just like every other industry. How do we learn the newest trends and tips and keep them balanced with our ethical standards? Let's learn together.
Kill your darlings Anyone who’s been to journalism school knows the phrase “kill your darlings.” It means editing out the words and phrases that you’ve fallen in love with that drag down the clarity and power of your story. In fundraising, we would do well with an annual review with staff and key volunteers titled […]
A new, data-driven approach to campaign planning The time-honored campaign feasibility study is designed to help nonprofits test whether their aspirations and campaign dollar goal are achievable. Done well, it is in effect the “soft launch” of a campaign and sets you up for success. But the process most consultants use in executing the study […]
The glow of righteous indignation In a way, it was so darn satisfying: the wave of condemnation heaped upon those Seattle-area hospital systems for allowing large donors to jump to the front of the Covid vaccination line as way of thanking them for their past support. As a fundraiser who has made his share of […]
Kill Your Darlings
/in Fundraising /by James PlourdeKill your darlings Anyone who’s been to journalism school knows the phrase “kill your darlings.” It means editing out the words and phrases that you’ve fallen in love with that drag down the clarity and power of your story. In fundraising, we would do well with an annual review with staff and key volunteers titled […]
Data-Driven Campaign Planning
/in Campaign Planning, Fundraising /by James PlourdeA new, data-driven approach to campaign planning The time-honored campaign feasibility study is designed to help nonprofits test whether their aspirations and campaign dollar goal are achievable. Done well, it is in effect the “soft launch” of a campaign and sets you up for success. But the process most consultants use in executing the study […]
Righteous Indignation
/in Ethics /by James PlourdeThe glow of righteous indignation In a way, it was so darn satisfying: the wave of condemnation heaped upon those Seattle-area hospital systems for allowing large donors to jump to the front of the Covid vaccination line as way of thanking them for their past support. As a fundraiser who has made his share of […]