Tag Archives: cultivation

The Integrated Ask

I started my fundraising career after years of being in sales.  Mostly commission-based sales.  It had been beaten into me that the first cardinal sin was to leave money on the table.  So I was confused when I heard fundraising … Continue reading

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Reasons I Hate Story Telling As a Fundraising Strategy.

Over the past several years, storytelling has become the hot topic for many development offices.   Every conference I’ve been attending has some session on storytelling. Board and staff practice stories. Obsess about having stories. Worry they don’t have the right … Continue reading

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The Direct Path to Fundraising

I’m a simple woman.  I think the most direct path is generally the best.  At least I think that when the destination and not the journey is my goal.  For that reason, I recommend—always—clarity and honesty.  So when you are … Continue reading

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What Do You Really Need To Know About Your Prospects?

In my family, my husband and I each make our own philanthropic decisions.  I suppose, were one of us to decide on a rather more significant gift that usual, we would discuss this with each other, but maybe not. How … Continue reading

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The Value of Following Up

Recently, I told someone that yes, I would definitely go on their website and make a small gift.  I didn’t.  Not because I didn’t mean to, but, frankly, it got lost in all the other things I needed to do. … Continue reading

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