Fundraising for Beginners

Welcome to Fundraising.

You came to the right place. Let’s explore the basics.

Fundraisers should use pride, not apology, when asking for a gift for a charity that is doing good work.

Henry Rosso

Who is this site for?

YOU CAN BE A FUNDRAISER.

YOU can be a fundraiser!

This site is for anyone with a passion for a cause. Perhaps you’ve just started out in the fundraising profession, or maybe you have been working in development but need to learn more about digital marketing, or even, perhaps, you have a passion for a cause and just want to learn how to help raise more money, if so, this site is for you.

We’ve created this site to teach you the art and science of fundraising. Articles and training videos are categorized and rated by level of experience, beginner, intermediate, and advanced. No matter your starting point, you will be able to learn how to be an excellent fundraiser. Discover great courses that will help you become the fundraiser you want to be.

Natural born fundraiser is a myth. You can learn the skill of fundraising and raise millions of dollars for your favorite cause. I want to show you how.

What skills will you learn?

THE ART AND SCIENCE OF FUNDRAISING.

Fundraising is similar to other industries: there are specific skills you will learn to become a great fundraiser.

From understanding the motivations to why people give to writing fundraising copy that converts, as someone new to fundraising, you’ll need to understand the psychology of the donor and how to present your fundraising campaign. You’ll also need technical skills for managing a donor database, analyzing results, and creating tests to optimize performance.

You will learn how direct mail differs from digital, how to perform direct mail donor acquisition programs and how we’ve adapted those acquisition programs online.

As you progress, you’ll learn different types of donors such as general, continuity, mid-level, major, legacy, corporation, foundation and more. Different types of donors will behave and give differently and understanding how they think will help you craft the perfect fundraising campaigns.

Find fundraising courses that will teach you how to become a world-class fundraiser.

What should I read first?

LEARN SUCCESSFUL FUNDRAISING.

The 48-Hour Follow Up Rule: Why Your Donor Retention Depends on Lightning-Fast Response

Every donor should receive meaningful, personal contact within 48 hours of making their gift. Not just an automated email receipt – though that should happen immediately – but actual human contact that shows you noticed their gift and you’re grateful for it.
The 5 Minute Major Gift Ask

Episode 48 – The 5-Minute Major Gift Ask

In this episode, Jeremy reveals the FOCUS method – a powerful framework that allows you to make compelling major gift requests in just 5 minutes.

Why Some Donors Are Reluctant to Discuss Planned Giving

Planned giving is a powerful way for donors to leave a lasting legacy with the causes they care about. It allows individuals to make significant contributions through their estate plans, ensuring that their impact continues well into the future.

Fundraising Trend: Decline in Church Attendance Affecting Giving

How will the dechurching of America impact your nonprofit organization? Discover how your giving will be impact by church attendance declines.

Fundraising Trend: Increased Focus on Donor Privacy

In the EU and UK, privacy regulations have dramatically changed how nonprofit organizations can interact with prospects and donors. We predict that 2024 will see an expansion of donor privacy initiatives in the United States. 

Fundraising Trend: Staff Turnover

The average tenure of a development professional is alarmingly short, averaging just 16 months. This trend poses significant challenges for nonprofits, impacting their fundraising continuity, donor relationships, and overall organizational stability.

The Often Overlooked Traits of Highly Successful Planned Giving Fundraisers

Discover the often overlooked traits that set highly successful planned giving fundraisers apart, and learn how cultivating these qualities can help you secure transformational gifts and create lasting impact for your organization.

Top 9 Nonprofit Management Tips for 2025

Unlock your nonprofit’s full potential with these actionable tips on management, donor engagement, and strategic planning that will drive your mission forward and ensure long-term success.

Fundraising Trend: Emphasis on Donor Experience

A donor’s experience encompasses much more than financial transactions. Donors desire engagement and connection with an organization. It’s crucial to recognize the evolving expectations of donors, particularly their desire for involvement that goes beyond mere financial contributions. 

Fundraising Trend: Protests & Increase in ‘Rage Giving’

Some donors are driven by rage more than a desire to see someone helped. The 2024 political season will see a rise in ‘rage giving’ as donors seek to express their political views through giving to an organization they see as attacking their political enemies.

Crafting Impactful Memorial Gift Thank You Letters for Nonprofits

Discover how to craft heartfelt, impactful thank-you letters for memorial gifts that honor loved ones and strengthen donor relationships.

Fundraising Trend: Gen X and Millennial Importance

Learn how to engage Gen X and Millennials to expand your fundraising presence.
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