Nonprofit Answers

044 - How do I write a fundraising strategy?

In this episode of Nonprofit Answers, we explore the Three Question Fundraising Framework to help fundraisers simplify their approach to creating a successful fundraising strategy. We dive deep into each of the three questions, including donor acquisition, donor retention, and lapsed donor reactivation, and provide practical tips and insights for each area.

We discuss the importance of donor acquisition and calculating ROI, as well as specific channels for acquiring new donors, such as direct mail, radio, digital, and events. We explore key strategies for donor retention, including establishing a clear communication plan, showing appreciation for donors, and creating a culture of transparency and accountability.

We also discuss the value of reactivating lapsed donors and specific strategies for doing so, such as targeted outreach campaigns, special incentives or promotions, and addressing any concerns or issues that may have led to the lapse.

Additionally, we provide insights and tips on how to look back at your organization's history of donor acquisition to help inform your strategy moving forward. We also explore the importance of developing a fundraising calendar for the year, including how to identify key dates and events, set specific goals, and plan well-coordinated and integrated fundraising campaigns and events.

Whether you're a seasoned fundraiser or just starting out, this episode provides practical advice and insights for creating a successful fundraising strategy that enables you to raise more money to help more people.

043 - How do we communicate a common message in a variety of channels?

In this episode of Nonprofit Answers, we explore the challenge of communicating a common message across multiple channels, such as mail, email, web, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and more.

We provide eight expert tips for creating a message that resonates with your audience, including defining your target audience, starting with a clear message, tailoring your message to each channel, emphasizing the urgency, utilizing social proof, and monitoring and adjusting your message as needed.

By following these tips, you'll be able to create a compelling and impactful nonprofit fundraising campaign that inspires your audience to take action in support of your cause. Don't miss this valuable episode for fundraising professionals who want to raise more money to help more people.

042 - How Can Nonprofits Use Innovative Strategies to Boost Monthly Giving?

In this episode of Nonprofit Answers, listeners will learn about creative approaches to monthly giving for nonprofits, including storytelling, gamification, and peer-to-peer fundraising.

The podcast covers various topics, such as how to encourage supporters to become monthly donors, how to thank and recognize monthly donors, how nonprofits can leverage technology to enhance their monthly giving programs, how to convert one-time donors into monthly donors, how storytelling can inspire and retain monthly donors, how to adapt monthly giving programs to fit the needs and preferences of different donor demographics, and how social media can be used to promote and grow monthly giving programs.

Listeners will gain practical tips and strategies to improve their monthly giving programs and build stronger relationships with their supporters.

041 - How Do You Keep Monthly Donors Engaged and Giving?

In this episode of Nonprofit Answers, we explore strategies for retaining monthly donors, including effective communication, personalized engagement, and creative recognition. We discuss the benefits of having a monthly giving program for both the nonprofit and the donor, and provide practical tips for making the process of becoming a monthly donor as easy and streamlined as possible.

We also discuss how to ensure that monthly donors stay engaged and continue giving over time, how to segment and personalize communications for monthly donors, how to address donor churn, and how to maintain the trust and transparency necessary for successful monthly giving programs. Finally, we share how nonprofits can create a sense of community and connection among their monthly donors.

Whether you're a seasoned fundraiser or just starting out, this episode provides valuable insights for anyone looking to improve their monthly giving program and build stronger relationships with their supporters.

040 - What are the Key Steps to Starting a Successful Monthly Giving Program?

In this episode, we discuss the importance of monthly giving for nonprofit fundraising, and provide practical guidance on how to start a successful monthly giving program. We cover topics such as determining the appropriate ask amount, best practices for creating and promoting the program, common obstacles to starting and growing a monthly giving program, and challenges that smaller nonprofits might face.

Join us to learn how to create a reliable and sustainable source of funding for your nonprofit and build stronger relationships with your donors.

039 - How Do I Choose an Email Service Provider?

An email service provider (ESP) is a company that enables organizations to send out mass emails.  If you've ever signed up for a newsletter or clicked "subscribe" to receive updates from a website, chances are you've used an ESP. In the fundraising world, ESPs are commonly used to send out donor communications, like appeals and stewardship reports. 

There are a lot of ESPs on the market, which can make it difficult to decide which one is right for your organization. In this podcast, we'll break down what you should look for in an ESP and provide step by step instructions for how to select the right email service provider. By the end, you'll have a good sense of what's available and be armed with the knowledge you need to choose an ESP that's a perfect fit for your organization.  

038 - Effective Calls to Action

We’ve talked at great length about the principles of good fundraising, from timing your appeal right to telling great fundraising stories. This advice will have a significant impact on your fundraising.

Unfortunately, we often overlook one sentence in your appeal or on your landing page: your call-to-action.

In this episode, Jeremy Reis explores how to write an effective call to action in your appeals, website, anywhere you're asking the reader to do something. You'll learn the secrets of compelling your reader to take action. Craft a great call-to-action in your next appeal!

037 - 5 Great Year-End Fundraising Campaigns

The holidays are on their way, and it's time to start thinking about the year end fundraising. Whether you want to increase your donations, get new donors involved or create some buzz around your organization with a campaign that will last until the end of the year, there are plenty of ideas that will work for you. Here are five great ones!

In this episode of Nonprofit Answers, Jeremy Reis shares five great campaigns to create more success at your year-end. You'll learn:

1. How to create a year end match
2. Using gratitude to increase your revenue
3. Why telling impact stories is important
4. How you should be using video
5. Mobilizing your best supporters to take action beyond giving

As you prepare your year-end fundraising strategy, listen to these great tips to amplify your nonprofit's fundraising.

036 - 10 Tips for Successful Year End Fundraising

For many nonprofits, the last two months of the year are the most vital time for fundraising. In this episode, Jeremy provides ten tips to make your year end fundraising a huge success! Learn everything from planning to follow up in this episode. Learn how to get a major donor to create a matching challenge fund. Learn a suggested amount of email appeals at year end. If you want to excel with your year end fundraising at your charity or non-profit, this episode is for you.

035 - How Do We Communicate with Major Donors in a Time of Crisis?

As we work through this time of crisis, it's vital to be in constant communication with major and mid-level donors. But what do you communicate? Do you ask for money? How to build relationship? How do you work with major donors when you can't visit them in person? In this episode of the Nonprofit Answers podcast, Jeremy Reis is joined by Tim Smith and Mike Meyers. Both have decades of fundraising experience and are considered experts in the field of major and mid-level donors. This episode is a foundation for how to communicate well with major donors.