Clairity Click-it: Planned Giving, Twitter for Nonprofits, Visual Trend, Google Glass, Thanking Year-end Donors

Just a few links this week, since I know you’re winding down after Halloween revelries and may be in a sugar-induced coma.  Grab a cup of coffee and check these out. They’ll get November off to a good start!

Planned Giving

Click-It: Year-End Planned Giving Ideas to Include in Tips to Donors. Today is Dia de los Muertos  — a time for honoring departed souls. What better day to

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Leave a commentClairity Click-it
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Why We Stopped Building Pyramids: What Nonprofits Can Learn

 

Philanthropy, Not Fundraising

The pyramids were built in Egypt. On the backs of slaves.  It took a very, very long time. The cost, in human terms, was untenable and unsustainable.

That’s why you don’t see many pyramids being built these days.

Except in nonprofits.

Where building the donor pyramid is still the holy grail.  Get ‘em in. Move ‘em up. Acquire through direct mail. Convert to monthly donor or sustainer. Acquire through events. Convert to mail. Up, up, up…. to the pinnacle of major and planned gifts!

Except for one tiny thing.

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34 CommentsStrategy & Management
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5 More Things Your Board Doesn’t Get about Fundraising and Nonprofits

I unlocked Pandora’s box with my last post, 5 Things Your Board and CEO Don’t Get About Fundraising and Donors. Especially when it comes to board members, many of you say their behavior has you scratching your heads much of the time. So, here are 5 more things that too many boards simply don’t seem to understand:

1. It costs money to make money. This one is odd, since many of these folks seem to understand the concept of ‘investment’ when it comes to their day jobs. 

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1 CommentBoards & Leadership
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5 Things your Board and CEO Don’t Get about Fundraising and Donors

Donors feel good when they give. There’s plenty of research  showing  philanthropic giving is good for people. It makes folks happier, healthier and even more successful. So there is no need to apologize when asking for support where the need is authentic. In fact, asking others to participate in philanthropy is a great gift. Just don’t forget to thank them personally and promptly when they do, so they also experience the joy of having made the right decision.

Donors respond to sizzle, not steak.

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2 CommentsBoards & Leadership
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Hue Are You? What Color Can Mean for Your Marketing Strategy

 

 I adore color.  I’m definitely not someone who wears only black!  I thought it would be interesting to think about how we use color in our donor communications, and happened on several great infographics, including The Psychology of Color in Design and Color Psychology and Marketing. They offer a terrific overview of the meaning of colors in the western hemisphere. What you’ll learn is eye opening.

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4 CommentsContent Marketing