Raising More Money

Raising More Money is an organization based in Seattle that coaches nonprofits on a system for raising sustainable funding from individual donors. Axelrod, the group's founder, here lays out the rules of engagement for the Ask Event, a one-hour gathering of a large group of people that focuses on an organization's mission in order to generate multiple-year pledges for operational funding. The goal is to get away from the hand-to-mouth, burnout-generating reality of most nonprofits, which often focus on a single year's financial goals at the expense of long-term survival. Axelrod's guide puts the event into a larger fund-raising context, explains how to prepare for and hold an Ask Event, and shows how to sustain the cycle.

Terry Axelrod's book offers a deeper insight into the design of the Point of Entry, a cornerstone of the Raising More Money Model. Included are concrete examples, forms, and timelines, as well as a complete review of the Raising More Money Model.

Writing to raise money takes more than a few choice words. Highly profitable communications use a wide array of "trade secrets" to boost response. Things like emotional triggers, a working knowledge of reader psychology, the discovery of eye motion studies, and donor research ? all help writing pros reap big rewards from their appeal letters, newsletters, websites, case statements, and more.Now these trade secrets are yours, collected in one easy-to-understand volume: How to Write Fundraising Materials that Raise More Money ? The Art, the Science, the Secrets. Author Tom Ahern is recognized as one of North America's leading experts on effective communications. His workshops are in hot demand. Last year he released a first-of-its-kind book on moneymaking donor newsletters.Now, in his new book, Ahern reveals all: how top fundraising writers inspire their prospects to make that first gift ? and how they keep existing donors loyal and generous.Raising more money through words, via the printed page or online, is no accident. But anyone can do it well: you don?t need special writing talent. All you need is this essential guide to best practices in the fundraising industry.

An authoritative guide to boosting your nonprofit's bottom line through effective telephone fundraising Presenting a detailed structure for writing effective telephone call "scripts", Effective Telephone Fundraising explains the necessary and effective components of an effective call from beginning to end, and provides helpful hints, detailed examples, phrases to employ, phraseology to avoid, and a "road map/chart" for structuring effective call scripts. This how-to manual examines in detail the various stages of an effective telephone call from identifying the prospect and introducing yourself; getting through screens and talking to the decision maker; developing rapport and a creating two-way conversation; explaining the purpose of your call; making a proposal to the prospect;the process of negotiation and effective closing strategies; results of the negotiation;and ending the call. Examines in detail a systematic way of dealing with objections Deflection/decision deferral strategies, along with psychological motivators for giving over the telephone Reveals how to assess the giving potential of prospects Includes sample scripts or call outlines Effective lines that could immediately be incorporated into existing telephone fundraising strategies to improve results A complete, start-to-finish guide for successful telephone fundraising, Effective Telephone Fundraising helps you structure effective call scripts for your nonprofit's best advantage.

Today, many organizations are raising more money with their newsletter than with traditional mail appeals.And after reading Tom Ahern's riveting book, Raising More Money with Newsletters than You Ever Thought Possible, it's easy to understand why.Great newsletters, as distinguished from the mundane ones many of us receive, have so much more going for them.For starters, they deliver real news (not tired features such as "From the Director's Desk'' and "Introducing Our New Staff"). They make the donor feel important. They use emotional triggers to spur action. They're designed in a way to attract both browsers and readers. And they don't depend on dry statistics to make the organization's case.The essence of Raising Money with Newsletters than You Ever Thought Possible centers around seven fatal flaws, as Ahern calls them. And along the way to discussing ? and dissecting ? these flaws, the reader is treated to such chapters as:o Making news out of thin airo What a front page is foro Lower the grade level of your writingo Anecdotes versus statso How should it look? A proven formulaTransforming your newsletter into a substantial money raiser isn't all that difficult. As Ahern himself says, "You don?t need a degree in journalism to publish a newsletter that will keep your donors inspired (and generous). You just need a few skills and insights."Read this book. Pick up those skills. And be assured that the ratio of time spent versus gains realized might well be the most cost-effective of your entire career.

"Working from research conducted over six years with hundreds of charities and donors, 'Donor-Centered Fundraising' paints a candid picture of why donors stop giving to charities they once supported, and what it will take to preserve their loyalty in the future. In clear language and backed by statistical evidence, Penelope Burk explores the pitfalls of our traditional approaches to donor communication and recognition and articulates what donors want but seldom get from the charities they support. The book features straightforward and accessible calculations that show how much money charities are failing to raise, and offers a step-by-step procedure for testing a donor-centered alternative and gaining its acceptance in any organization."--From publisher description.

Internationally acclaimed fundraising consultant Ken Burnett has completely revised and updated his classic book Relationship Fundraising to offer fundraising professionals an invaluable resource for learning the techniques of effective communication with donors in the twenty-first century. Filled with illustrative case histories, donor profiles, and more than two hundred action points, this groundbreaking book shows fundraisers how to Implement creative approaches to relationship-building fundraising Avoid common fundraising errors and pitfalls Apply the vital ingredients for fundraising success Build good relationships through marketing Achieve a greater understanding of their donors Communicate effectively with donors--using direct mail, the press, television, the telephone, face-to-face contact, and more. Prepare for the challenges of twenty-first century fundraising