Lying in fundraising can certainly be unintentional, or maybe to put it in more generous terms unconscious. Here are a few of the lies we often hear: Sometimes organizations: Overstate the impact of their organization Tell their donors that they can’t do their work without them Create an emergency in order to raise more...
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Author Archive
You Don’t Have to Lie to Raise Money
A Time-Line for Success in Fund Raising, part 2
Days 13-19: I think I would present my plan to my supervisor on day 13. All of my enthusiasm, focus and effort will go a long way toward showing my leadership progress and hope. Using days 13-19 I would develop specific individual tactics for each of the strategies in my approved plan. This is...
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A Time-Line for Success in Fund Raising, part 1
If you are new to fundraising, or have just accepted a new position at a not-for-profit, you may only have 18 months to prove yourself. In my experience, this means the clock is not on your side. Some fund raiser’s become paralyzed by this pressure, yet others are motivated by it. I’ve come to...
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There are rules in fundraising, part 3
Rule #3 Neither you nor I get to make the rules An extremely frustrating fact is neither you nor I get to make the rules. They just exist! Hard Knocks U is the most common school for learning them. Indiana University is the only place I’m aware of that offers a formal accredited...
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There are rules in fundraising, part 2
Rule #2 Not Everybody Knows All the Rules…including old guys like me. When I first began raising funds, what seems like 200 years ago, I did well to find my way to my desk or the copy machine. We didn’t have computers or e-mail yet, there was nothing like FedEx, or even fax...
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There are rules in fundraising
(The first in a terrifyingly long series) My life’s work has been that of a fundraising guide, sharing knowledge and experiences with those who truly want to become masters of their craft. I love nothing more than coming alongside someone who is excited about making the world a better place. These dedicated women and...
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The Great Debate: E-mail VS. Snail Mail
Many of you have asked about the future of direct-mail fund raising vs. e-mail fundraising. It’s a discussion that’s being carried on throughout the blogosphere even as I write. Most of the questions are NOT “Should we replace snail mail with e-mail?” but rather, they focus on specific aspects of communications with constituencies e.g. a...
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Thanks for Visiting
Thanks for stopping by our blog. After all, it’s here for you! For the past 30 years I’ve had the privilege of serving nonprofits by helping them to raise the money they need to advance their mission. For over 15 years, Douglas Shaw & Associates has helped scores of nonprofit organizations to raise millions...
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