I know the feeling. A supporter calls to tell you your email or letter spelled her name wrong. She's pissed! You begin to sweat and your muscles become tense. You think to yourself - "This sucks!"

In most cases I don't recommend doing so.

I think nonprofits need to be more real. More genuine. Less formal. And, less afraid of being real and genuine.

1. 3% of U.S. Households are responsible for 67% (2/3) of all household charity (according to the 2011 Bank of America Study of High Net Worth Philanthropy).

Here are the potential downsides to telemarketing for planned gifts:

1. Generate leads using social norms, family reminders and non-death-related packages

If you are spending your donors' hard-earned cash on marketing (fundraising), you must watch this short video from one of my heroes - David Ogilvy

I recently stumbled upon a neat paper titled Nostalgia: The Gift That Keeps Giving. Here's a summary:

Polyamorous relationships are non-exclusive.

1. Disclosers - For these folks (breaking into two basic categories) you need to remember that, unless their gift is irrevocable, they are still prospects.