Marc’s Musings

My Fundraising Blog

• Thoughts on generational fundraising
  FundRaising Success has a nice summary of a talk given by Blackbaud’s Samantha Cohen. As I Gen-Xer myself, I found this quote particularly compelling. “Tell them you want to end world hunger, and they’ll say, ‘No, you’re not,’” she said. “Tell them you want to put a piece of fresh fruit in every child’s lunch bag, and [...]
• Fundraising Secret #27: The basics ARE extreme
  Last week, Lois Lindauer summed up some fundraising advice as: Keep Your Friends Close and Your Donors Closer: At a recent gathering of executive-level fundraisers in Boston, the following suggestions and thoughts for working during these uncertain times were elicited: Stay close to donors. Listen carefully to their interests. Place an emphasis on stewardship and reassure [...]
• Whining is not a fundraising strategy
  Debra Blum of The Chronicle of Philanthropy has a great summary of comments from Reynold Levy, president of the Lincoln Center, told participants of the Independent Sector annual conference. According to the Chronicle, Levy exhorted the attendees that: “Great fund raisers don’t whine about the economy. They believe in Noah’s principle: No more credit for predicting [...]
• Fundraising Secret #26: You gotta do it yourself
  This week I’ve had two conversations with founders of nonprofits. I’ve had to tell both the unwelcome truth: you’re going to have to do the fundraising yourself. This was a bitter pill for both of them. You see, they’d created their nonprofit because of their passion. They saw a need and they filled it. And they [...]
• “Survival” is NOT a fundraising appeal
  Today the Chronicle of Philanthropy reported on a seemingly provocative comments from the head of the Wal-Mart Foundation, Margaret McKenna. According to the Boston Herald, she said some charities should fail. I whole heartedly agree. Some nonprofits should fail. Just like some businesses should fail. Aren’t you tired of receiving fundraising appeals with a message of “If [...]
• There’s nothing compassionate about not asking!
  Turn on any news program and you’ll hear about how bad the economy is. But I’ve been hearing some even more disturbing news: some nonprofits are telling their donors “we know the economy is rough so we won’t ask you for money.” Don’t do that! Compassion during times like these is important. Times are hard. Liquidity is an [...]
• Even MORE on Twitter for Nonprofits
  Brian Solis wrote an amazing post today listing loads of Twitter tools for building community. In his post, he gives a description and links to each of these tools: twubble GroupTweet twitt(urly)y TwitLinks TweetDeck Gridjit Tweet Later Twist Twerp Scan Summize Twemes #hashtags Tweet Scan Twinfluence TwitterGrader Twittertise Twitterrific Twhirl TwitterWhere tweetbeep twitterfeed TwitDir Ping.fm brightkite TwitterLocal twitpic SnapTweet DoesFollow follow cost Qwitter Twittelator Twitterfon Twinkle Twitterberry Pretty amazing, isn’t it? If you’re interested in Twitter, you need to read Brian’s blog post: Twitter Tools for Community and Communications Professionals. (c) Marc A. [...]
• Alternative Nonprofit Marketing?
  I just spent 4 hours in the rain putting these signs for our Fall Pops Benefit Concert. The industry calls them “yard signs.” I’m hoping that they’ll catch people off guard in the midst of the signs of the political candidates! It’s a good reminder that as fun as web 2.0 is, offline marketing still has its [...]
• More Twitter for Nonprofits
  I’m pleased that my Twitterfor Nonprofits blog post is helping people venture into Twitter and other social media! After that post, a fellow Twitter follower, Jon Swanson, recommended following Cheryl Smith of CultureSmith Consulting. I agree! Her blog has great tips on using social media in business. And Mark Hayward (@mark_hayward on Twitter) has a list of [...]