Silent auctions can be a very effective way to raise many for non-profits… but they can also be time consuming and stressful if they’re not done the right way. In today’s podcast, we go over eight quick rules for more successful silent auctions, and show you how to keep your event organized and profitable. For even more tips on running auction events, check out The Silent Auction Handbook . Please note that The Fundraising Authority Podcast is also available on iTunes and Stitcher Radio ....
Jan 11, 2016•15 min
Planned giving is one of those things that most non-profits are interested in… but never really take the time to focus on. Setting up a planned giving program seems scary, complicated and time-consuming, so many non-profits put it on the back burner. The good news is that launching a successful planned giving program is possible for any non-profit (including smaller organizations) and does not need to be overly complicated or resource-intensive. During this podcast, we take a look at why planned...
Nov 11, 2015•14 min
One of the biggest changes in non-profit fundraising over the past three decades is the advent of cheap, powerful technology to help organizations communicate with donors and raise money online. Advances in non-profit technology have been a huge blessing for most organizations, but they have also been a curse, because many fundraisers can get overwhelmed by the sheer number of tools and data that are available to them. In today’s podcast, we’re joined by Amy Sample Ward, the CEO of NTEN (The Non...
Sep 14, 2015•52 min
Whether they know it or not, most non-profits in the United States are required to register in the states where they carry out fundraising solicitations. But what exactly constitutes a “fundraising solicitation?” and how do you know where your non-profit is required to register? Our guest today is one of the country’s foremost experts on charity registration. Tony Martignetti is the founder of Martignetti Planned Gift Advisors , the host of Tony Martignetti Non-Profit Radio , and the author of C...
Jul 25, 2015•40 min
Crowdfunding is one of the fastest growing segments of the non-profit fundraising world… as well it should be. It is a powerful way to raise more money and expand the reach of your non-profit organization. Our guest on today’s podcast is Dana Ostomel, an expert in running successful crowdfunding campaigns. During our conversation, Dana provided some great strategies and tips for how any non-profit – including yours – can raise a significant amount through a strong crowdfunding campaign. Don’t mi...
May 12, 2015•48 min
Do you know the power of telling great stories? Does your non-profit use storytelling to help it raise more money and build better relationships with donors? Our guest on today’s podcast is Vanessa Chase, an expert in non-profit storytelling. In addition to some great tips on collecting and sharing stories for your organization, Vanessa teaches us how to develop a culture of storytelling at non-profits big and small. Join us for a great conversation! You can read more from Vanessa at her site Th...
Mar 24, 2015•29 min
What do you think when you hear the words, “capital campaign?” Does that phrase send you dreaming of a new building for your organization, or perhaps the ability to hire new staff or buy new infrastructure? Or, like many fundraisers, does the idea of a capital campaign make you grind your teeth and stay up worrying at night? Our guest on today’s podcast is none other than The Fundraising Coach himself, Marc Pitman. Marc is a veteran of dozens of successful capital campaigns, and in today’s episo...
Mar 05, 2015•54 min
The donor cultivation funnel isn’t just for offline fundraising. Non-profits can and should be building strong relationships with their donors online (including through e-mail, social media and on their organization’s website). Great online cultivation leads to more donors, bigger gifts, and better donor relationships. In today’s podcast, online fundraising and marketing expert John Haydon teaches us how to supercharge our online cultivation efforts and gives plenty of examples of what’s working...
Jan 22, 2015•1 hr 1 min
Do you ever wonder if you are using your non-profit’s website correctly? Do you wish you could raise more money online? The truth is that most non-profit organizations do not understand the true fundraising purpose of their website and online presence. In today’s podcast, we talk about the real best use of your website when it comes to raising money, as well as share some tips for using that function to effectively raise money. Watch out! This podcast just might change the way you think about on...
Oct 02, 2014•20 min
Using the four steps of the fundraising funnel are integral to building a sustainable development program at your non-profit. If you want to find new donors and keep them giving more and bigger gifts to your organization year after year, you have to understand and use the fundraising funnel. In this episode, we take a look at the four components of the fundraising funnel to see how you can apply them at your organization to help you raise the money you need to thrive. Please note that The Fundra...
Jul 23, 2014•22 min
Every non-profit I have ever come across wants to find more major donors to support its work. How can an organization find, cultivate, and ask major donors for large gifts, particularly if the charity has only limited resources? Today on the podcast, we welcome Amy Eisenstein, AFCRE. Amy walks us through a step-by-step strategy for finding and engaging more major donors, and teaches us how to build relationships with major givers that lead to lifelong giving. After you listen, be sure to check o...
May 20, 2014•43 min
Fundraising through the mail is one of the most popular yet misunderstood strategies in all of non-profit development. Writing great appeal letters is part art and part science. If it is done right, your organization can provide a significant boost to its bottom line. Today on the podcast, we welcome Mazarine Treyz to talk about how your non-profit can write better fundraising appeal letters, reach more donors through the mail, and make your supporters feel like they are part of your team. After...
May 07, 2014•42 min
We all know we should be stewarding our donors. Yet, donor retention rates for most non-profits remain abysmally low. Most organizations say they know that their current donors are their best prospects for future gifts, but so many still think a thank-you card is enough. On today’s episode of The Fundraising Authority Podcast, we welcome Pamela Grow to the show to talk about how non-profits can steward their donors the right way . Listen in to the conversation to learn more about how you can bet...
Mar 17, 2014•35 min
One of the most common questions we receive from fundraisers is how to get a board of directors more enthusiastic about raising money. Is it really possible for board members to be excited about – and good at – fundraising? On today’s episode of The Fundraising Authority Podcast, we get answers from Gail Perry, author of Fired-Up Fundraising: Turn Board Passion Into Action . During our conversation, Gail talks about ways your non-profit can successfully work with your board to raise more money f...
Feb 10, 2014•25 min
On this episode of The Fundraising Authority Podcast, we’re joined by the expert on fundraising with businesses and cause marketing, Joe Waters. If you think that fundraising with businesses is limited to seeking event sponsorships or perhaps a corporate grant, think again. In this info-packed episode, Joe Waters teaches us all about how to partner with businesses to raise far more money than a simple yearly donation, and how to grow relationships with companies that stand the test of time. You ...
Jan 18, 2014•26 min
Today on the podcast, we welcome Heather Stewart from Activate Fundraising . Heather talked with me about small non-profits, and how they can leverage their limited time and resources to find and cultivate donors and sponsors. Believe it or not, in some ways, smaller non-profits have an advantage over larger organizations, because they can easily fix what isn’t working for them, without having to deal with extra layers of bureaucracy. Whether your non-profit is small, large, or in between, you’r...
Nov 06, 2013•34 min
In this episode of The Fundraising Authority Podcast, we talk to Claire Axelrad from Clairification . Claire is the expert on how to build better relationships and raise more money through better thanking. That’s right… you can actually raise more money for your organization if you develop a better strategy for thanking your donors. In this episode, Claire tells us how. We also talk about how to thank donors who give online, and Claire issues a challenge to non-profits for how quickly they shoul...
Oct 04, 2013•40 min
In this episode of The Fundraising Authority Podcast, we talk to Sandy Rees. Sandy is a well-known and well-respected fundraising consultant, coach and author, and the creator of the Get Fully Funded System for non-profits. During the podcast, Sandy and I talk about what it means to make fundraising a priority at your organization, as well as how small and mid-sized non-profits can avoid feeling overwhelmed by development. We also take a look at how to plan your fundraising infrastructure and ef...
Jul 27, 2013•33 min
There’s a lot of misinformation out there about fundraising strategies and tactics. In this episode of the podcast, we take a look at five of the most common fundraising myths to see why they’re wrong and get tips on the right way to raise more money. Check out all five myths, and see if your non-profit has fallen victim to them! Note that The Fundraising Authority Podcast is also available on iTunes. To subscribe or listen via iTunes, click here....
Jun 20, 2013•16 min
In this episode of The Fundraising Authority Podcast, I talk with the amazing Andrea Kihlstedt, the co-founder of Asking Matters and the author of the new book Asking Styles: Harness Your Personal Fundraising Power . Andrea has come up with a new and, I think, essential tool for non-profit fundraisers: the Asking Styles Assessment , which helps fundraisers figure out the asking style that best suits them (and best of all, taking the assessment is free!) During the podcast, Andrea explains the sy...
Feb 22, 2013•37 min
