Fundraising is Beautiful

Peter Drucker said "What's measured improves." Want to improve your fundraising? Here are the two most important things to measure:

1. Net revenue
2. Donor retention

There are a lot of other key performance indicators in fundraising, but if you measure (and thus improve) these two numbers, your fundraising program will be in fine shape.

Don't miss these insights from the front lines of fundraising!

I know Roger Craver. Roger Craver is a friend of mine. And frankly, we are no Roger Craver.

But we think you'll get a lot from this podcast nevertheless, as we'll show you how to stop wasting time, money and energy jumping from one fundraising tactic to the next and instead focus on what matters: Your relationship with your donors and your fundraising offer. When you understand those two things, you'll be better at choosing the right fundraising tactics, and you'll be much better at making any tactic fulfill its promise.

In this not-to-be-missed interview, fundraising legend and co-editor of The Agitator discusses donor retention, the importance of social media in fundraising, and how things have changed in our profession over the years. This discussion will fill your brain with ideas. Note: somewhat salty language!

Why do your donors leave? For the most part, it's your fault -- the things you do (and don't do) drive away donors. But there's a lot you can do to keep donors happy, engaged, and giving. We look at some of those smart fundraising moves in this podcast and the previous one.

We are looking at donor retention research posted here: Why donors stop their support.

Why do your donors leave? Here's the bad news: It's mostly your fault. The good news: There's lot you can do to keep them engaged and giving. We look at some of those smart fundraising moves in this podcast and the next one.

We are looking at donor retention research posted here: Why donors stop their support.

After an embarrassingly long hiatus, we take a look at the new book The Fundraiser's Guide to Irresistible Communications: How it can help you raise more money for your cause, and why it may be the most important book ever published. The book is available at:

• Amazon
• Amazon UK
• Emerson & Church (go here if you're ordering in bulk)

Are you creating fundraising that looks great or that gets results? Often, you can do one or the other, not both. In this look at the power of the odd, unattractive, and unfashionable in direct mail, broadcast, and online, we'll show you how the quest to make your fundraising aesthetically pleasing usually leads to lower results. Mentioned in this podcast: Monday Morning Memo by Roy H. Williams.

If the purpose of your website is to raise funds, why is fundraising limited to a couple of "DONATE" buttons? Here's a look at how you can maximize online revenue by making your website relevant, useful, and easy for donors.

Websites mentioned in this podcast:

• World Vision
• American Cancer Society
• Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
• The Jimmy Fund
• The Online Giving Study

The over-focus on the amount nonprofits spend on fundraising and administration (as opposed to accomplishing their mission) is throttling many organizations, keeping them artificially poor and less able to do what they exist to do. We talk about some alternatives to focusing on that fundraising ratio.

Listen in as an executive director of a nonprofit and his enthusiastic brand consultant change the name and look of an organization. Warning: Satire.