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.

Sometimes I feel like I should make a list of all the silly things I hear fundraisers say. Here's one I heard recently that just felt so wrong:

Alaska’s residents are allowed to share in the revenue the state enjoys from investments in mineral royalties. In order to get their dividend they have to apply for Permanent Fund Dividends.

In the for profit world they call it customer service.

So you want to know the real reason why people make major gifts and bequests? Ok. But first, I must share a quote.

"I walk over to my desk, take out my pen, and get ready to sign a check for an important program. It's a great thrill! It means that I've done something that is important. There's great joy in my giving. It's thrilling. It's exhilarating. It's important to be a part of sharing. It is my love. It is...

I bet you already know that each and every one of your supporters has a unique reason why they first got involved with your organization— their story.

In the late 1800's, a motivational speaker gave a speech over 6,000 times. His name was Russell Conwell and his traveling lecture was titled Acres of Diamonds. He later became the founder and first President of Temple University.