Lisa Z. Greer's Blog, page 2

How to Get a Donor to Give: The Magic Switch

What do donors want, and do we, or should we, care? If we come back from a donor pitch meeting with a gift, haven’t we succeeded?

Isn’t the donor meeting just the means to an end (i.e. the “sale”)? When a fundraiser reports back on a donor meeting, are they congratulated on beginning a relationship with the donor, or do accolades only come based on the binary result — did you get a gift, or not? This common response of relationship being less important than getting a gift is holding us back from...

Fundraising Tip of the Week | August 18, 2025

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Quick wins are great—but lasting impact takes long-term thinking.

Sustainable fundraising isn’t about chasing one-time gifts. It’s about building real, lasting relationships with the people who believe in your mission. When you lead with trust and transparency, support becomes consistent—and transformational.

Donors want to feel like partners in your work, not just sources of revenue.

Philanthrop...

Fundraising Tip of the Week | August 11, 2025

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Nobody wants to hear a hard sell from a nonprofit as if someone is pitching a timeshare.

If your donor events feel more like a sales meeting than a celebration of your mission, it’s time to rethink your approach. Donors - especially the young, new generation of donors - show up because they care about what your nonprofit does—so give them a reason to keep coming back.

Showcase impact.
Build auth...

Three Very Different Approaches to Monthly Giving

It’s a bit of a conundrum.

18–22% of your first-time donors will give again the following year.
So 78–82% will not.

43–45% of donors overall will continue to support your organization.
So 55–57% will not.

90% of monthly donors will continue to give.
So only 10% will not.

Which of these is better?

Did you know that acquiring a new donor gift costs about five times more than retaining an existing one?

So which is better — bringing in a new donor or keeping the ones you already have? (You want — and need — ...

Fundraising Tip of the Week | August 4, 2025

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Want more major donors? Start by treating every donor like they are one.

Too often, small-gift supporters get overlooked—but those are the very people who can grow into your most loyal champions. It all starts with making them feel seen, heard, and genuinely appreciated.

✨ A thank-you call.

✨ A story of impact.

✨ A note just because.

It doesn’t take much to build meaningful connections—and the lon...

Fundraising Tip of the Week | July 29, 2025

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Don’t underestimate the value of time.

Volunteers give something just as meaningful as money: their energy, skills, and commitment. Treating volunteer time as an “extra” or secondary to donations sends the wrong message.

In many cases, time is the first gift that leads to deeper engagement—and long-term support.

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Yes, More Money Overall, But the Decline of Donors Continues. Or Does It?

The just-released Giving USA report tells us that there was a significant uptick in money raised overall in 2024 — a 6.3% increase, or 3.3% increase when adjusted for inflation. This is the first increase in overall giving in the past three years, and the numbers aren’t trivial. Nearly $600B in total charitable giving was raised in the last year. Hooray!

But is an all-out celebration in order? Read on…

The number of individual donors is continuing its decline, and that trend appears to be acceler...

Fundraising Tip of the Week | July 21, 2025

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Looking for your next great board member? Start with your volunteers.

They’re already committed, invested, and they’ve seen your organization in action. Yet too often, board members are chosen solely based on who can write the biggest check, instead of those with the deepest connection to your mission. It’s time to rethink board recruitment and create a world where board members are valued for ...

Fundraising Tip of the Week | July 15, 2025

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A dysfunctional board isn't just a nuisance—it’s a serious liability.

If your board is disengaged, resistant to change, or dodging accountability, your entire organization is at risk. Culture starts at the top, and a board that avoids hard truths or refuses to adapt can result in a loss of donors, decreased revenue, high staff turnover, and a threat to your organization's sustainability.

It’s ti...

Philanthropy Revolution Flash Sale: A must-read for nonprofits

Tired of seeing donor engagement take a backseat to fancy fundraisers?

In Philanthropy Revolution, Lisa Greer challenges the status quo—calling out outdated fundraising tactics that alienate the very people you want to connect with. From tone-deaf galas to one-size-fits-all appeals, Lisa reveals what turns new donors away—and what actually builds lasting, loyal relationships.

This is a must-read for nonprofits that want to earn the trust of a new generation of donors, especially those inheriting o...