by Eddie Thompson | Dec 1, 2021 | Donor Communications
Throughout my 35 years as a development professional, my best leads have always been referrals—particularly those accompanied by personal introductions. That shouldn’t be a surprise to any experienced fundraiser. What is surprising is that so few nonprofits do a good...
by Eddie Thompson | Oct 18, 2021 | Donor Communications, Professional Development
I’m continuing this month with a few more thoughts about the chosen career of a professional fundraiser—a life of never-ending appeals for donations of time and money for worthy causes. With regard to the fine art of asking, below are some of my favorite “tools of...
by Eddie Thompson | Sep 20, 2021 | Donor Communications
After several years working as a professional fundraiser, it’s commonly assumed that countless face-to-face solicitations will have enabled fundraisers to overcome any reluctance about asking for money. If, in a moment of honest vulnerability, an aspiring young “rain...
by Eddie Thompson | Jun 7, 2021 | Development Management, Professional Development
Last month’s article was about donors’ decisions to invest their social capital (contributions to community and society) by means of estate gifts to charity rather than the government in the form of taxes. It’s not that all government-funded programs are hopelessly...
by Eddie Thompson | Apr 26, 2021 | Charitable Estate Planning, Donor Communications
After meeting with thousands of selected donors over the last 40 years and listening carefully to their desires and concerns for the succeeding generation, I pose three basic questions. These three basic questions have led to a significant philanthropic impact. In the...