Posts in opinion
20 symptoms of fundraising trouble

There are a lot of fundraisers out there who are in their comfort zone. They donโ€™t like change; they might be afraid of change.

If you are doing everything right, the need for change is obviously less urgent. However, most of us are not doing everything right. So there is a big chance you can improve your fundraising.

And the only one stopping you isโ€ฆ well, ehโ€ฆ YOU!

Read More
Knock knock! Whoโ€™s there? Opportunity!

When I moved houses I used the postal company to forward my mail to my new address. This service also allowed me to let my utility suppliers, insurance companies and charities know that I had moved. The online platform let me tick the boxes of those charities that I am supporting. But there was also an option for me to request information from charities that I am not currently supporting, but am interested in.

As a fundraiser I like to test, so I ticked my boxes, and a couple more, and a few more, and some more. I ticked 33 boxes, from both charities I support and Iโ€™m interested in. Now we wait and see what happensโ€ฆ

Read More
The 5 fastest growers and their recipe for success

By looking at long-term growth, the idea is that weโ€™re looking at organizations who are doing something special in fundraising. So what is it that these organizations are doing so well? We decided to organize a โ€˜diner pensantโ€™ and invited the five fastest growing organizations over the period 2006-2010.

Jolanda Omvlee (director Compassion), Frits Hirschstein (director KiKa), Ruud Tombrock (director WSPA Benelux), Ellen Kooij (head of marketing, communications and fundraising War Child) and Wimco Ester (head of communications and marketing Open Doors) accepted our invitation and shared the recipes of their success in fundraising.

Read More
FREE: 10 years of fundraising experience!

Exactly 10 years ago, I started my first job as a fundraiser! And from the beginning I was hooked. I love fundraising, because it enables change. Vision and passion combined with great fundraising enables important change. And as a fundraiser you play an important part in that change.

So, looking back over those 10 years, what did I learn? Iโ€™ve listed the most important strategic ingredients for a successful fundraising program.

Read More
The importance of annual plans

Annual plans are great. As a fundraiser you can't live without them, because it's your blueprint for fundraising success. Below a few reasons why I think you have to spend at least 10% of your whole year working on next year's plans.

What do I mean with an annual plan in fundraising? In short, I would say a narrative document which explains all of your fundraising activities, and answers all why, when, how, who and how much questions.

Read More
One-night stands ruin your fundraising

โ€œOriginally, a one-night stand was a single theatre performance, usually by a guest performer(s) on tour, as opposed to an ongoing engagement. Today, however, the term is more commonly applied to a single sexual encounter, an example of casual sex, in which neither participant has any intention or expectation of a long-term sexual or romantic relationship.โ€ (source: Wikipedia)

Hope I caught your attention. Sex usually does, so I guess youโ€™re still reading.

Read More