FundRaiser Blog

The FundRaiser Software Blog is an excellent resource for nonprofit organizations looking to learn more about fundraising, donor management, membership management, and much more.

Creative Giving Level Labels

Creative Giving Level Labels

Dear Kim:

I have recently been appointed a development director and I am looking forward to developing this new skill (which I don’t have right now). One of the first things I must do is establish “levels” of donations. We are a pediatric facility that is part of a large organization. Is it appropriate to designate levels of giving that are related to kid themes, or do you suggest sticking with tried-and-true levels such as platinum, silver, gold, President’s Circle, etc?

Continue reading
2948 Hits

When Should a Non-Profit Organization Hire its First Development Director? Part 2

When Should a Non-Profit Organization  Hire its First Development Director? Part 2

 

So, how do you know from within an organization when and if you should hire a development director? The answer is simple, and it starts with knowing the costs of running the organization as it carries out its mission as set out in the its long-range strategic plan. It continues with the development of a fund-raising plan.

Continue reading
3624 Hits

When Should a Non-Profit Organization Hire its First Development Director? Part 1

When Should a Non-Profit Organization  Hire its First Development Director? Part 1
 

The short answer is sooner rather than later! If a non-profit organization is beginning to ask whether it needs a professional development director, it probably should have hired one months, even years ago.

The biggest mistake non-profits make in hiring their first development director is waiting until the board, executive director, and other key personnel have arrived at a consensus that one is needed NOW. An organization that waits until it is necessary to hire a development director has waited too long.

Continue reading
3551 Hits

Developing Development Director

Developing Development Director

Dear Kim:

I am the first development director for a full-service humane society that has been operating for 125 years, and I have been on the job less than a year. We have a $1. 5 million budget ($500,000 coming from a county contract). We have always operated in the black, but unfortunately, not much analysis and goal setting have ever been done. There is no strategic plan in place, and we are heading into a capital campaign to build a new shelter and have many needs on the horizon. To top it off, the Executive Director is also new, and we are both working fast and furiously to evaluate as much as we can and to get a plan in place. I have been working on an overall development plan and the article, “Creating a Budget for Fundraising” is very helpful. However, do you know if there are specific percentages or guidelines as to how much the development office should raise in relation to the overall budget? For instance, when I worked in fundraising at an independent school, I raised 6-7 percent of the total budget. That was fairly average at that time. Because there has been little tracking and overall analysis, I realize that we are going to need to look at each direct mail piece, each special event to create budgets and to determine overall purpose. Any help you can give is appreciated!

Continue reading
4272 Hits
Wait a minute, while we are rendering the calendar
passwords Volunteer module holiday letters role of nonprofits new features new nonprofit training tip Thank You membership benefits Reporting to IRS support Codes Company culture Personalizing community supported gardens major gift prospects merge notes auction adding personal notes to letters donor prospects planning board members accounting software development director Resiliency Facebook campaign capital campaign In-Kind gifts donor relations campaign building donor relationships repeat donors mode code letter templates pictures online donations donor on site training change of address updating operational costs social media animal rescue major donors entering auction gifts follow up publicity materials look and feel lapsed donor foundations FundRaiser Spark Excel donor attrition disaster relief backing up data case study thank you letters increasing giving amounts planned giving how-to videos tax summary letters correspondence donor retention online donations segmenting donors office gift entry relationship tracking new leadership New Year GivingTuesday raffle data entry correspondance welcome packet reports general features membership programs annual maintenance plan new version Cloud training Constant Contact GoFundMe project donor loyalty Facebook donation history SYBUNTS banquet customer service nonprofit fundraising custom page grassroots campaign advanced tab #GivingTuesday mission driven Alternative Addresses alumni understanding giving trends donor retention rate giving levels holiday new donors donor recognition ticket sales FundRaiser Hosted prospects giving history add ons Thanksgiving donor slip transparency community arts nonprofits community broadcasting National Change of Address Groupings appeal arts user interface donor targeting Snow Birds brick campaign how to handle auction gifts mailing Reminders upgrading donors grants flash sales endowment campaign word processor personalizing letters product news annual campaign donor profile operating systems technical support ROI PayPal Network for Good donor advised funds tech tip fundraising letter in honor of donations importing csv corporate sponsors announcements Tickles large donations password protection holiday giving communications data conversion user spotlights gift acceptance policy campaign management data analysis Task List donor source happiness End of Year Letters customer portal spare fields updates government grants targeted mailings monthly giving ticketsales memorial giving email charity golf tournaments NCOA processing membersip benefits fundraising letters motivation code donor engagement volunteers vacation overview anonymous donors security appeal letters small donations Donor Portal motivation spreadsheets merge fields premiums solicitors donor preferences LYBUNTS gift notes field FundRaiser Basic the Ask phoning donors texting donors upgrade direct mail tribute gifts legacy giving Crowdfunding Campaign Importing Data moves management donor attrition rate salutation donor contact information pledges recurring gifts Congratulations event management volunteering budget

Connect With Us

  800-880-3454 ext 3
  Email Us
  Request More Information
  Monday-Friday
      8:30AM-5:30PM CST

Customer Portal Login Form

User Name:
Password:

If you are not sure about your Customer User Name, please call 800-543-4131 and we will be able to help you.

Or you have lost your password, Request Password