Holiday Season Fundraising Wishes

Greetings!

These are the things I wish for you this holiday season:

May your solicitations be effective, not addressed to "dear friend",  not full of address labels and meaningless threats (see below, the worst of the year end appeals I have received to date)...

May your honor rolls and static plaques go the way of the Mayan apocalypse because no one has ever proven the ROI of either...

May your online giving forms be effective and easy, pleasurable, and mobile optimized...

May you fully integrate your social media, it has the ability to change lives and engage many...

May your events be meaningful and worth the time and effort, leaving your attendees with wonderful memories and not weighty tchotckes...

May you take care of your planned giving donors as if they were your own grandparents, or someone you're fond of...

May all of your students write thank you notes, on time on the first request...

May you always answer your phone with a smile and an open mind...

May your acknowledgments be swift, short, and productive like elves...

May you never forget that behind each an every gift, regardless of the amount, lies a human soul, a giving soul, someone who vies to make a difference...

May you know that I am so grateful for all of you, now numbering more than 5000 per week who share, laugh, learn, and read with me as we endeavor to improve the philanthropic experience for each and every one of our friends and donors.
And if all else fails, enjoy some freshly baked cookies from yours truly!