The hottest fundraising topics of 2024 – as voted by you!

As I’m wrapping up for the year, I wanted to share the top five articles that got your attention in 2024.

But first, I wanted to say a heartfelt THANK YOU to you for taking the time to read and share my posts.

I’ve had a blast writing all of them - and if they’ve made your life a little better, and your fundraising more successful, I consider my mission accomplished! ✅

So, without further ado, here are the top five hottest Blue Sky Philanthropy reads of 2024:

1. How to have better donor meetings

Are you having perfectly pleasant meetings with your donors, but finding they are not translating into the major gift growth you are hoping for?

Chances are you’re missing an important step - and I learned this the hard way when I was first starting out!

Read on to discover the simple realization I had that helped me make my donor meetings more effective and impactful.

2. The #1 donor engagement mistake

There's a big mistake that I see a lot of nonprofits make.

This is when your engagement and communications with donors are focused entirely on your organization - your achievements, your leadership, programs, stats, numbers, awards…

I call it the Firehose Effect.

3. Saying “no” to a donor is NOT a failure 

It strikes fear in the hearts of fundraisers everywhere. 

In some organizations, it’s just not done – especially when it comes to major donors.

But at some point in your fundraising career, you’re going to have to bite the bullet, and say the not-so-magic word: No. 

There’s a right and a wrong way to say no to a big donor – and here are four steps to saying no in the best possible way for your donor, and your nonprofit. 

4. Major Gifts: All glitz and glamor?

One of my earliest jobs after university was working at the outbound call center at a national arts organization.

We did everything from making fundraising calls to selling annual subscriptions…

And it was one of THE most important experiences I’ve had in my 25 year fundraising career.

Here are three crucial skills I developed in that first fundraising job that I still use to this day:

5. Why introverts make the best major gift fundraisers 

Are you a reluctant introvert like me? 

Well, maybe it’s high time to embrace your unique introvert super powers - because introverts bring invaluable skills and strengths to fundraising and leadership. 

Your strengths mean you’re naturally suited to raising more 5, 6, and even 7-figure gifts for your mission! 

Here’s why introverts excel at major gifts and make the best major gift fundraisers. 

Whatever you are doing as your year winds down, I wish you all the best.  

You’ve worked so hard this year raising money for your great cause, and I hope you take some time to rest and recharge, so you’re back better than ever in 2025!

We’ll be back in 2025 with some exciting things along with weekly fundraising tips and resources - consider signing up for our newsletter to make sure you don’t miss anything!