Chris B.

In fundraising, we talk a lot about capacity — a donor’s ability to make a gift. Wealth screenings, past gift amounts, and financial indicators all help us estimate what someone could give. It’s useful, but it’s only half the picture. The other half (often the more important half) is behavior. Behavior tells us what a donor actually does: How often they give How long they’ve been giving Whether they volunteer Whether they attend events Whether they consistently show up for the mission ...

Donor segmentation doesn’t require a massive CRM or a mountain of data. There’s a misconception that segmentation is only possible if you have sophisticated systems, advanced analytics, and deep technical expertise. And yes—those things absolutely help. But small shops can start segmenting right now with the data they already have. Because segmentation isn’t about perfection. It’s about paying closer attention. Start with the basics you already collect: When someone gave. How much they gave....

If you want to prioritize fundraising, you have to actually prioritize fundraising. One of the first things I look at when working with organizations is the actual workload placed on their fundraisers. Because if one person is responsible for annual giving, major gifts, grants, special events, newsletters, social media, and whatever else pops up… it becomes nearly impossible to build a strong fundraising program. At some point, you have to take a very honest look at the work on the table....