Category: Planned Giving Marketing

Importance of Estate Planning
Planned Giving Marketing
Viken Mikaelian

The Importance of Estate Planning

Do you have an estate plan? Many people think estate planning is unnecessarily complicated – but it doesn’t need to be. A qualified estate attorney or easily accessible online tools can help you create a will that will make things easier on your heirs and ensure that your wishes are known to those who follow you.

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Blocks and sunlight depicting paradigm.
Planned Giving Marketing
John Foster

Wake Up and Smell The New Paradigm

Not so long ago, the outlook for fundraising reflected the sunny optimism of the overall economy.  Our donors had secure, well-paying jobs (often two per household); the value of their McMansions and vacation condos was projected to follow an endless upward arc; and when they opened their retirement-plan statements, the ending balance was always gratifyingly larger than the previous month’s.

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Fundraising Image with Growing Plant and Money
Planned Giving Marketing
Viken Mikaelian

The Most Frightening Words in Nonprofit Fundraising — and What We Do so You Don’t Say Them

I’ve written before about the dangers of the DIY (do-it-yourself) mentality in nonprofit fundraising. The most frightening thing is the amount of time you’ll spend doing everything but meeting with donor prospects. Here’s how you can make your fundraising more successful by outsourcing some of your development needs to outside fundraising experts.

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Human-Centered Fundraising
Planned Giving Marketing
Viken Mikaelian

The Human Moment: Why Human-Centered Fundraising Matters

Today, fundraisers are faced with a battery of e-marketing tools. They are tempted to put their hands on everything they can get. “I can contact 2000 prospects with the push of a send key. And it’s cheap!” Well, not quite that cheap. Too much reliance on fundraising technology can hurt your development program. That’s why you need to focus on human-centered fundraising!

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The Major Gift Metrics You Need to Track
Major Gifts
Viken Mikaelian

The Major Gift Metrics You Need to Track

On average, 88% of a nonprofit’s revenue comes from the top 12% of its donors. This shows how crucial major gifts are to an organization’s overall fundraising strategy. Additionally, major donors not only provide nonprofits with sustained financial security but are often co-creators of many programs and initiatives. Learn how to track major gift metrics to succeed with your major donor program.

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Video is Your Nonprofit’s New Best Friend
Planned Giving Marketing
Viken Mikaelian

Nonprofit Video Marketing is Your Organization’s New Best Friend

Studies consistently show that businesses using video marketing have phenomenally increased their lead generation. Your nonprofit can enjoy the same success by using video to market your planned and major gifts programs. Here’s why a nonprofit video marketing program is so important for your fundraising efforts.

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"Sophisticated Donor?" Your Prospects Are Human
Planned Giving Marketing
Viken Mikaelian

“But My Donor Prospects Are Different”

If you feel your prospects are “really different,” chances are you’re hanging out with a few sophisticated (and detail-oriented) donors and making assumptions about the rest. My hunch is that you are alienating a majority with financial advice and high-brow messaging. Most donor prospects want simple, down-to-earth messaging that makes them want to get involved with your nonprofit!

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Smart-Dog
Community Foundations
Valerie Ingram

A Small Nonprofit’s Best Friend: Community Foundations

Most smaller charities and almost all Americans do not understand the importance of a Community Foundation and how it serves the public. Here’s why community foundations are so important, and how they can help your non-profit thrive.

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Planned Giving Marketing
Viken Mikaelian

Powerful Legacy Society Names. Five Proven Tips.

So, What’s In a Name? Plenty — especially when it comes to naming your legacy society. Choose the wrong name, and you’ll struggle to attract (let alone keep) members. Choose the right name, and your membership will grow and thrive.

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