blog

Major Gifts = NO Copying & Pasting…Ever!

by Brian Saber

Cultivating and soliciting major gifts is time intensive. It takes time because no two donors are identical, and no two donor relationships are identical. No matter how similar two donors may seem on the surface, their histories, their personalities, and their desires will vary. This means every major gift donor needs to be uniquely considered.

What’s the Deal With Donor Birthday Wishes?

by Brian Saber

Yesterday was my birthday. Along with heartfelt wishes from dear friends and family, a number of charities reached out to wish me a happy birthday — almost to a one with generic, impersonal greeting cards.

Jerry Panas: THE Guru of Our Field

by Brian Saber

In remembrance of Jerry Panas, the master of fundraising. The field has lost our guru, but his impact will last forever. I will miss Jerry but will cherish our chats, his generosity, and everything I’ve learned from him.

Top 5 Things to Do Before Asking for a Meeting

by Brian Saber

While being prepared for the solicitation meeting itself is important, preparation has to start before you reach out to set up the meeting. There are two reasons for this.

Board Giving and My Tendency to Exceed the Speed Limit

by Brian Saber

For most of us, the speed limit is a minimum. While you might not be as crazy as I am, chances are you go at least a few miles over the speed limit. However, when your organization sets a minimum gift for board giving, that’s not a signal to your board to give at least that and possibly a bit more.

Ask Short Questions…and Hope for Long Answers: The Key to Donor Success

by Brian Saber

We’ve all been in a class or at a conference when someone got up to ask a question and delivered a soliloquy. When they finished we might even have wondered if there was a question! If you do that in fundraising, you’ll be dead in the water.

Top 5 Ways to Start the Year Asking Face-to-Face

by Brian Saber

With the new year comes all our New Year’s resolutions. Those of us in the fundraising profession invariably resolve to “get out and make more asks face-to-face.” Here are my top 5 ways to start 2018 asking. . . which I will be applying to diet and exercise!

Case for Support and the Lousy Admissions Tour

by Brian Saber

35 years ago I was one of those college students who perfected the art of walking backward while giving tours of my alma mater. I readily admit that while perfecting the art of walking backward I know now that I gave a really pathetic tour.

The 4 Most Important Things to Do Right Now to Get Out Asking

by Brian Saber

The list of things that can keep us from getting out to ask is really long. Not enough time. Fear of rejection. Not thinking our donors are ready. Not wanting to step on relationships. Are any of these on your top ten list?

Your ONLY Opportunity to Hear the Master: Jerry Panas

by Brian Saber

Jerry Panas will be heard live, via webinar, exactly once this year. You won’t want to miss it.

Unless you are at one of the few conferences where Jerry will speak during the next twelve months… there is only one chance to hear the pantheon in our field!