social media tools such as blogs, Facebook and Twitter.
Say thank you. Say it again. Invest a few minutes and 44 cents in a handwritten note. Drop your donor a brief email. Better yet, pick up the phone for an even more personal touch. Make it a conversation about the donor’s interests; not every contact should be a solicitation.
Engage your board members in very practical ways. Make sure they understand their role in the fundraising process for your organization and are committed to it. Have them make some of those thank you calls.
Keep a positive attitude about your mission, vision, and purpose. If you haven’t reviewed those in a while, maybe it’s time for a refresher so you can recharge your batteries and maintain your role as a key contributor to your organization’s success.
Foreword
Use the practical tips and advice throughout this Giving USA report as touchstones of how to raise philanthropic dollars. And don’t just read the section that pertains to your sector. Between these covers, you will find a wealth of sound ideas to help you move your fundraising programs forward successfully.
If you work in the development field, take heart. While it’s not easy to raise dollars, Americans still care and want to help. Or, if you’re reading this because you donate to causes and organizations dear to your heart, thank you. It’s your contributions that make philanthropy a worthwhile field.
It enriches all of us and speaks well of the United States as a whole that we continue to be supportive of charitable groups in good times and down times.
Chair, Giving USA Foundation™, publisher of Giving USA
Chair, Giving Institute: Leading Consultants to Non-Profits
Executive Director, The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University
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