One Visit Away

In this episode I tell a story of how one of the benefactors I work with went from $5,000 to $50,000 in one year! You'll learn why asking for a range is a massive mistake for a major gift officer, why you need to ask good questions to determine capacity, and why you need to ask when to follow-up.  

Listening to this episode will inspire you to schedule more visits! 

Click on this link to sign up for the One Visit Away email list: https://mailchi.mp/0d508338da5f/onevisitaway

In this episode, I speak with Lynn Esmail the Executive Director of OptimALL Services.  Lynn has been working in fundraising for nearly 3 decades and has some incredible stories to share that will inspire you to schedule more visits and raise more money.  She also will reenergize you about the incredible work we get to do as fundraisers! 

If you want to subscribe to the email list for One Visit Away, please click on this link: https://mailchi.mp/0d508338da5f/onevisitaway

In this episode I share a story of how a text message containing a picture of a penny resulted in a $5,000 gift! As a major gift fundraiser you will learn about the importance of texting and the role it plays in scheduling visits and closing gifts.  

In this episode we hear from Ellen Rossini with Mission Advancement Professionals.  Ellen shares several funny and enlightening stories that will make you a more effective major gifts officer, including one story that could be worth $200,000!

In this episode I tell a story about one of our benefactors who wound up giving a gift after a 7 minute first visit.  You'll learn about the importance of asking for a specific amount, the importance of referrals, why you need to ask when is a good time to follow up, and why you need to focus on generating revenue for your organization.  

This is a bonus episode where I was interviewed by my friend Jeff Schiefelbein on his radio show Undivided Intention.  This is not a typical episode of One Visit Away. It is much more personal and involves many other topics besides fundraising.  I hope you enjoy our conversation, but be forewarned since this is a bonus episode I did not edit anything out, so commercials are included.  

In this episode I share one of my own stories! In this episode you'll learn why it's important to always be visiting with prospects and benefactors, why you should never make up answers, why you shouldn't give up when you've tried several times to schedule a visit, and why you should listen to suggestions your benefactors make as it could lead to millions of dollars of increased giving for your organization.  

In this episode we hear from Maria Puccini the Executive Director and Co-Founder of In My Shoes.  Maria shares a story that is my favorite story shared on the show so far! It illustrates many traits that make someone successful in development: an enormous amount of passion, humility, the ability to take painful constructive criticism, a deep desire to put the needs of those your organization serves ahead of your own, and persistence.  

All I can say is WOW! I am excited and can’t wait for you all to hear this incredible story from Maria. 

Should you travel to visit with a Benefactor or Prospect? 
Can someone increase from $2,500 to over $100,000? 
Can you teach an old dog new tricks? 

If you want to know the answers to these questions, listen to this episode of One Visit Away! Dan Bailey the President and Founder of Just Say Yes tells some great stories about his transformation in major gifts and how it has impacted his organization.  

There is a great deal to learn about development in this fun and exciting conversation! 

Val Hrbacek is the Director of Development of Birth Choice Dallas.  In this episode you will find great insights on how to succeed in major gifts even while bringing your toddler to work everyday! Listen to this episode and among many tips you will understand the importance of making thank you calls as they can lead to more than 1000% increases in giving as well as the importance of not assuming a benefactor's capacity.