In the spirit of the new year, I thought I would suggest some New Year’s Resolutions that you – the development professional – might consider to make this year your best one yet.

Happy Holidays from Wastyn & Associates

More than half of donors who give once never give again. By cultivating first time donors with programs specifically geared to them and welcoming them into your organizational family, you can turn them into lifetime donors.

We tell our children stories for a reason; they work to relay important information and lessons. Use that to tell stories in your appeals, whether a letter, social media post, grant, or meeting with a donor.

In a profession where the demand outstrips the supply of professionals, we cannot afford to burnout the people working in it. Instead, we need to care for ourselves and each other so we can continue to effectively serve our missions.

Your work does not end when the last guest leaves your event or you clean the last table. That's actually when your work should begin to keep them engaged with you and make a lasting difference.

Make first time donors feel appreciated and showing them what a difference their gift made. But how can you do this? Read this week’s post for a few “simple” suggestions.

Like most development professionals, you probably have a never ending to do list. Learn how you can prioritize your time better to meet the goals of your organization while working in the areas where you are most efficient and effective. Work strategically so you can work smarter not harder.

Last week we talked about the cost to raise a dollar through different fundraising methods. What does this mean for your bottom line, especially when it takes so much of your time to meet with major donors? How is that more cost effective?

You need to take time for professional development, whether in person or virtually, to relax, recharge, and grow in your profession.

Do you know how much it costs to raise a dollar for your organization? If not, how can you assure that you invest your time where it makes the most financial sense.

Last week we talked about why you should connect with your grant funders; this week we talk about how to connect with them. What questions should you ask? How do you develop these relationships?

Soliciting corporate gift should mirror how you ask for money from individuals … with a focus on best practices of major gift fundraising as your model.

Learn three reasons why you should reach out to potential grant funders to make your grant seeking activities more efficient and effective.

Love them or hate them, online grants forms are here to stay. Personally, I'd much rather wrestle with technology than add in the time to copy and mail my application to a funder! These four tips will help you to maximize the benefits of the online application form while minimizing its challenges.

Stories make your application and case more relatable, interesting, and memorable. Reviewers will read your application longer, pay closer attention to it, and remember it when it comes time to evaluate all of the applications sitting on their desk or inbox for funding.

As we head into that all important final quarter of the year, you might ask yourself how the economy – and continued unpredictability of the pandemic – could impact your year-end giving campaign.

If you’ve applied to a grant program from the Quad Cities Community Foundation this year, you’ve noticed some new questions on the application. They ask for aggregate demographic data for your board in the areas of race/ethnicity, gender identity, and ability status. Learn why!