Fundraising Blog
Want to Grow your Annual Fund? Improving Your Donor Retention Rate is the key for most organizations. Here’s why and how.
For many organizations acquiring new donors isn’t where the problem lies. It’s their donor retention rate.
When Should You Mail Your Fundraising Appeal Letter First Class?
Should you mail your fundraising appeal letter first class, or non-profit, standard class (marketing mail)? It depends. We analyze the different cases.
Design Fundraising Envelopes that Keep Your Fundraising Letters Out of the Recycling Bin
Imagine this—your donor checks the mail, and tosses the envelope containing your appeal letter into the recycle bin, unopened. How do you ensure your appeal letter doesn’t get tossed?
A Guide to Designing Compelling Fundraising Newsletters
Just as a compelling letter captures attention, a well-designed fundraising newsletter captivates and guides readers through a visual journey.
Does including a business reply or pre-stamped envelope in your appeal letter improve direct mail fundraising results?
A question sometimes asked by fundraisers is, “Should we provide the donor with a business reply envelope so they don’t have to put a stamp on the reply envelope?”
Keep Your Donors Reading: Typography Best Practice for Fundraising
This Fundraising Typography Guide will help you make words more accessible and impactful. Don’t sacrifice your copywriter's skill to a misguided splash of color.
Insights from Annual Fund Analysis Will Improve Your Fundraising Results
Gain insights and optimize results with Five Maples' Annual Fund Analysis. Industry benchmarks, expert recommendations, and data-driven observations provided.
Why You Should Ask Current Year Donors For Another Gift
Contrary to what you may think, many current year donors will gladly donate again and again if you ask them for additional donations. The data proves it.
The Essential Guide to Improving New Donor Retention
Whether a donor’s first gift came online, via direct mail, through peer solicitation, or at an event, these tried-and-true recommendations can make a powerful impact on your organization’s donor retention.
Insights from Mailing Analysis Will Improve Your Fundraising Results
Direct mail analysis can highlight imbalances in the fundraising program or address problems identified during the annual fund analysis.
A Guide to Nonprofit Storytelling: Writing Content That Raises Awareness and Money
Storytelling is one of the most powerful tools nonprofits have to attract donors. Here are some guidelines that can help you on your storytelling journey.
Five Tips for Writing a Fundraising Email
Follow-up emails are an essential tool for fundraisers to remind donors to give and make it easy for them to do so. These 5 tips will help you write an effective fundraising email.
What You Need to Know About Fundraising Emails
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions around nonprofit broadcast, stewardship & solicitation emails, and the answers and professional insight you need to get started!
7 easy ways to use donor segmentation in your fundraising response card
Learn 7 easy ways in which you can use donor segmentation to address different groups in your fundraising appeal reply form, much like you would with your fundraising appeal letter.
6 Easy Ways to Add Donor Segmentation to Your Fundraising Appeal Letter
Consider using donor segmentation when preparing your fundraising appeal letters and speak to the groups in your database based on giving history and experience with your organization.
Tips for Using your Nonprofit Newsletter to Get More Donations Without Even Asking
Make the most of your donor communications with these four nonprofit newsletter tips. They will help you maximize donor retention and get more donations without even asking.
It’s Time to Lose Your Old Remit Envelope: Static vs. Variable Ask String
It's time to lose your old remit envelope with a static ask string in your direct mail fundraising. Instead, you should use a variable donation response card with a variable ask string.
How to Design a Donor-centric Reply Card That Works
A donation response card is a donor’s chance to interact with you during the direct mail fundraising campaign's process. Make your reply card enjoyable, rewarding and easy for them!
How to Write a Donation Request Letter that Gets Results
Learn how to write donation request letters that get results and raise more money. Five Maples guides you through the process with tips and examples of letters requesting donations.
The 3 Cs of Annual Planning: Calendar, Constituents, and Channels
These nonprofit strategic annual tips and planning calendar template will help you build a successful fundraising program focused on the 3 Cs: Calendar, Constituents & Channels.