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Julie Whelan Capell | Ethics are to fundraising what seat belts are to a car. You barely notice them until you hit a bump in the road. And then, if they’re missing, you’ll find yourself in a world of pain. I have often been asked if I would accept compensation based on a percentage of […]
Julie Whelan Capell | Since 60% of emails today are read on mobile phones, and that number is increasing all the time, it’s high time to learn how to create emails that are easy to read on smartphones. Before you start arguing that your donors are older and don’t use smartphones, check this out: During […]
Julie Whelan Capell | Donor newsletters and texts are SO last year. Our email inboxes are overflowing. Our texts are full of emojis we don’t understand. But send a video to your donor’s phone or email and you’ll definitely get their attention. What I’m talking about are short videos–under one minute–that you capture using your […]
Julie Whelan Capell | If your website donate page only has options for small, one-time cash gifts, you are potentially missing out on thousands of dollars in donations—at a minimum. Ever since the tax changes of 2019, cash giving has been decreasing, while Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) and Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) are growing exponentially. […]
Julie Whelan Capell | Refusing donations is not something we talk about a lot in nonprofit circles. But there are some situations when it might be the right thing to do. – A corporation in town is known for its generous philanthropy … but also known for union-breaking and your organization promotes a living wage. […]
Julie Whelan Capell | Fundraisers everywhere want to know: is it safe to start planning for in-person special events again? The short answer is YES! In many parts of the country, professional sports teams have already begun inviting fans back into the stands. AMC has opened all of its movie theaters, with physical distancing and […]
Julie Whelan Capell| I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve been asked what to do about donors who don’t want any of their donation to pay for overhead. Do these donors work for for-profit businesses? Do those businesses pay their employees wages? Benefits? Do they have an office that needs electricity and heat […]
Julie Whelan Capell | Hopefully by now–mid-November–your annual fundraising letter has gone out to donors, or it is scheduled to be mailed in the next couple of weeks. Neither COVID, nor working remotely nor any of the challenges facing the world should stop your organization from asking supporters to donate at the end of the […]
Julie Whelan Capell | “In sales, you don’t have to actually believe in the product or service you are hawking. That is NOT true of fundraising, at least not if you’re doing it right!” – Tori O’Neal-McElrath Fundraising is not the same as sales. Some executive directors and many board members come from a background […]
Julie Whelan Capell | There’s a very special Giving Tuesday coming up on May 5th. Organizers are billing it as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. To get involved, start with some well-timed emails. In the days leading up to #GivingTuesdayNow send a couple of messages to your whole list sharing […]
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