By David A. Mersky Labor Day has passed and summer is already in the rearview mirror. I know that because emails and phone calls have begun arriving in the office, asking us to come and talk to boards of organizations that are thinking about… [Read more…]
A few years ago I wrote an article, “What Would You Do With 1,000 New Donors?”I think this is the time to write a follow up. The more I talk to people now the more I start to question what would you do… [Read more…]
By David A. Mersky My friend Mark Satterfield and I worked together many years ago. He is a marketing guru whose focus of late is in helping professionals in “the art of marketing to the affluent and high-net-worth clients.” Recently, he said, “rich people are not interested… [Read more…]
The “how many letters should I send” debate is back in session. If you are like most organizations, you continually have the same conversation every year. It’s summer, when you take the time to plan your ”End of Year” Appeal Calendar, and someone… [Read more…]
By David A. Mersky Recently, I reached out to a former client, now friend, as she was about to experience an important moment in her life — her eldest child was graduating from middle school that evening. I’ve known her and her family for years… [Read more…]
By David A. Mersky I spend a great deal of time thinking about and helping organizations increase their fundraising results. By achieving ever greater results and revenue, they can expand their mission and fulfill their vision. But, much has changed during my career, especially… [Read more…]
If I asked you to list five facts about each of your top 20 donors, could you do it? Could anyone in your organization list five facts about those donors? If not, it’s time to start putting your notes and update your CRM*.… [Read more…]
By David A. Mersky Face-to-face fundraising is in a class all its own. It is distinct from email, telemarketing, direct mail, and other high volume, “one to many” tactics in which nonprofits customarily engage. Instead, the best of those who practice face-to-face fundraising focus on… [Read more…]
Today’s donors are sophisticated. Gone are the days when they just donate to… … a cute picture of a child or dog was enough to raise millions … because a donor gave an amount last year, they would automatically give at least the… [Read more…]
Time after time, I hear clients say they asked a prospect for a major gift donation. When I ask for details, I hear they: Think you have asked for a major gift donation in one of these ways? Think again. The only way to actually ask… [Read more…]