The Fundraising Framework Blog

The Nonprofit Professional’s Source for Encouragement and Inspiration

Confessions of a Development Director: I Can’t Keep a Development Job Longer Than Two Years advice confessions of a development director fundraising two year development phenomenon Nov 29, 2021

Confessions of a Development Director: I Can’t Keep a Development Job Longer Than Two Years

 

In this series, entitled “Confessions of a Development Director,” I share with you emails between real-life development directors and me about the struggles they don’t...

Continue Reading...
Ask Kevin: “What is a breakpoint for a ‘major’ donor?” advice fundraising just ask kevin major gifts Nov 08, 2021

Ask Kevin: “What is a breakpoint for a ‘major’ donor?”

In this series, I answer questions from my audience. To submit a question, email me at: [email protected]. You will get a prompt response, and in some cases, I will also eventually outline a more in-depth...

Continue Reading...
Demystifying the Major Gifts Process: Part 3 – Five Ways to Identify Potential Major Donors advice fundraising major gifts more donors Oct 18, 2021

UPDATED OCTOBER 25, 2021

This is part three of a four-part series I am doing on major gift fundraising.

  1. Working with major gift officers or consultants
  2. The foundations of why major donors give and how to talk with them
  3. How to identify major donors for your small to mid-sized nonprofit
  4. How...
Continue Reading...
Demystifying the Major Gifts Process: Part 2 – Why Major Donors Give and How to Talk with Them founder's syndrome fundraising major gifts Oct 11, 2021

This is part two of a four-part series I am doing on major gift fundraising.

  1. Working with major gift officers or consultants
  2. The foundations of why major donors give and how to talk with them
  3. How to identify major donors for your small to mid-sized nonprofit
  4. How to do the major gift ask...
Continue Reading...
Demystifying the Major Gifts Process: Part 1 – Working with Major Gift Officers or Consultants burnout founder's syndrome fundraising major gifts Oct 04, 2021

One of the number one questions I am asked is about raising major gifts. So, over the next four weeks, I will be delving into the major gift solicitation process.

  1. Working with major gift officers or consultants
  2. The foundations of why major donors give and how to talk with them
  3. How to identify...
Continue Reading...
Maximizing Year-End Giving Through Strategic Communications advice appeals ask-to-touchpoint ratio communications fundraising Sep 27, 2021

Maximizing Year-End Giving Through Strategic Communications

 

On the same day as the autumn equinox, I walked through several stores, including Home Depot and Lowes, looking for some outdoor items - only to see the patio furniture has been replaced with… Christmas decorations? I...

Continue Reading...
Top Four Strategies To Attract and Retain Donors advice fundraising more donors thanking Sep 20, 2021

Top Four Strategies To Attract and Retain Donors

It is the goal of every organization to attract and retain donors. There are several strategies organizations can employ to make sure new friends feel welcomed, donors feel appreciated, and nobody falls through the cracks. Here are the top four...

Continue Reading...
Always Be Thanking: Bring an Abundance of Gifts from Being Thankful advice fundraising thanking Sep 13, 2021

Always Be Thanking: Bring an Abundance of Gifts from Being Thankful

If fundraising professionals could do just one thing that would improve the culture of their organization and raise more money, it would be thanking everyone for everything. Or, as a post-it-note on my desk read before I was in...

Continue Reading...
Confessions of a Development Director: "I think I am a Fraud" burnout confessions of a development director fundraising two year development phenomenon Sep 06, 2021

Confessions of a Development Director: I think I am a Fraud

Why Development Directors Only Last 18-24 Months and What Can Be Done About It

 

Dear Kevin, 

I am finding so much comfort in your content and it’s providing me some hope. I am coming up on 18 months at my current...

Continue Reading...
Just Ask Kevin: "What is the most successful time for an annual appeal?" appeals fundraising just ask kevin Aug 30, 2021

Ask Kevin: “When is the most successful time for an annual appeal?”

In this series, I answer questions from my audience. To submit a question, email me at: [email protected]. You will get a prompt response, and in some cases, I will also eventually outline a more in-depth...

Continue Reading...
“You’re Always Asking for Money” - Mastering the Ask-to-Touchpoint Ratio™ to Avoid Donor Fatigue ask-to-touchpoint ratio communications donor fatigue fundraising Aug 23, 2021

 

“You’re Always Asking for Money” 

Has a donor or friend ever told you “you are always asking for money”? In over a decade, I have never once worked with or for an organization that did not have the “asking too often” concern expressed. Hearing...

Continue Reading...