How to Ask for Donor Lists Without Delays or DramaI’ve long been an advocate for fundraisers to be better partners with our database colleagues because they can make or break your success. And after decades of working closely with our data buddies, I can say that they often get frustrated with us because we send emails like this: “Can you pull a list of major donors?” That’s it. No timeline. No parameters. No context. When data requests go off the rails, it’s usually not because anyone’s trying to be difficult. It’s because we’re talking past each other. Fundraisers are focused on goals. Database folks are focused on parameters. You’re thinking: “I need a list of lapsed donors for a postcard.” They’re thinking: “Define lapsed. Which years? Which exclusions? What fields? What format?” When those details don’t get nailed down up front, your request sits in the queue. Or it bounces back with more questions. Or worse – it gets filled, but it’s wrong, and now you’re scrambling. That back-and-forth burns time and goodwill. And in fundraising, timing matters. But – there’s no judgment here. Most fundraisers aren’t trained in how to “speak database.” You know what you need, you just might not know how to say it in a way your CRM or advancement services team can use. That’s what this post is about. Whether you’re a frontline fundraiser, a VP, or a one-person shop trying to wear all the hats – if you rely on data to do your job (and you do), you need to know how to make a clean, effective request. I can help you there. Five Minutes Now Saves Five Days (or Five Gifts)Taking five extra minutes to complete a thoughtful data request could save you five days of email ping-pong – or five weeks of waiting for a fix when something gets pulled incorrectly. And if your project is time-sensitive? It could cost you five big gifts. Or more. Maybe a solicitation gets delayed because someone forgot to specify an exclusion. An important donor gets left out of an event invite because the list was pulled in a rush. The details matter. The Good News: This Is FixableYou don’t have to become a database expert. But you do need to learn how to frame your request clearly. That means giving enough context for your advancement services or CRM colleagues to:
That’s why I created a Data Request Template, and it’s all at the end of this post. But before you copy and paste, let me walk you through the thinking behind it. The Anatomy of a Clean Data RequestHere’s what should go into every data request you make: Date Needed Start with the date you want to review the file. If you have a final send date – like to a printer, email platform, or gift officer – include that too. Build in review time and ask for it at least a week ahead. Purpose Be specific. Are you mailing a solicitation? Sending a digital campaign? Calling for event follow-up? This helps determine the right segments and delivery method. Overview Write two or three sentences describing the project. This gives your colleague a mental model of what you're aiming to do and why it matters. Prior Pull Have you asked for a similar file before? If yes, when? If it went well, that helps them repeat the success. If it didn’t, they’ll know how to make adjustments. Report Criteria This is where you define who should be in the file. What makes someone eligible? Think about giving history, affiliation, geography, or whatever criteria match your goal. Think of this as a net you are throwing around the prospects you want to see. Exclusions Who should not be in this file? Don’t assume standard exclusions. Spell them out: Deceased, Do Not Contact, Current Students, Faculty/Staff, Current Year Donors – whatever applies. Be clear. Think of this as a boundary keeping records out that you don’t want to see. Format Excel, CSV, PDF? Match your needs. If you’re importing into an email platform or using it for a mail merge, say so. Fields Needed Don’t just say “name and address.” Think through what you actually need: email, phone number, last gift date, last gift amount, salutation lines, grad year, etc. The more precise you are, the fewer follow-ups you’ll have later. For instance, when I request a file and I want to see giving information, I ask for the file to include: last gift date, last gift amount, last gift fund, greatest gift date, greatest gift amount, greatest gift fund, and sometimes first gift date, first gift amount, and first gift fund. Sometimes I also like to see total lifetime giving and total number of lifetime gifts too. That list is a far cry from “giving history.” Notes If you’re estimating 5,000 records, say so. If this is part of a campaign with other moving pieces, mention that too. Context helps your colleagues prioritize and prepare. If you already have a draft of the specific message, you can attach that. Data folks love having the whole vision. Grab the TemplateWant to copy it straight into your next email? Here’s a quick version: Date Needed: Purpose: Overview: Prior Pull?: Report Criteria: Exclusions: Format: Fields: Notes: Make Their Job Easier – and Yours, TooClear requests build better relationships. When you send thoughtful, complete data requests, you become someone your CRM team can trust. And when they trust you, they’re faster. More responsive. More likely to go the extra mile when you’re in a crunch. This isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being respectful of their time – and protecting your outcomes. So yes, it might take five extra minutes on the front end. But that could save you five days of delays or five missed opportunities. And those gifts? They’re worth it. Want smoother workflows and faster data pulls? Or just want a second set of eyes on your advancement strategy? Let’s connect. Cheers! P.S. Like this kind of insight?
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What Do I Even Say to That? How to Handle Donor Curveballs with ConfidenceIn fundraising, we’ve spent decades perfecting donor-centered language – polished, warm, affirming. And there’s value in that. But as we lean further into equity, honesty, and shared power, we’re realizing something: partnership requires candor. Community centric fundraising built on that sort of trusting partnership is the future. You can’t build trust on flattery. You build it on clarity. That’s what my new resource is really about. It’s not a script. It’s not a list of ways to smooth over discomfort. It’s a toolkit for having honest conversations with donors – without losing connection, mission, or respect. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been asked this question: "What do I even say when a donor asks [fill in the awkward, unexpected, or slightly skeptical question here]?" If you’ve worked in fundraising for more than five minutes, you’ve felt that moment. Someone hits you with a curveball – maybe it’s well-intentioned, maybe it’s a little tense – and suddenly your mind goes blank. You want to respond with confidence and kindness, but your brain’s still trying to find the first word. That’s why I created The Real Deal Fundraiser’s Quick Guide to Donor Questions. It’s a free resource packed with clear, kind, mission-centered answers to the questions we all get asked – and sometimes dread. Whether it’s “Why do you need my gift if you already got a big one from [another donor]?” or “Can I trust you’ll use my money wisely?”, this guide helps you find your footing and keep the conversation moving in the right direction. the framework that grounds it allUnderneath it all is a simple framework I first learned in phonathon and have used ever since: Listen. Acknowledge. Support. Continue. It’s not a script – it’s a mindset. And it works.
This isn’t about avoiding tough topics. It’s about having the tools to meet them head-on – with empathy, strategy, and the kind of language that invites real partnership. Here’s an another example: Donor: “What percentage of my gift actually goes to the mission?” You: "Totally fair question. 100% of your gift supports our mission. That includes the people, infrastructure, and tools that keep programs going strong. We believe in full transparency, and you can always review our IRS Form 990 to see how resources are stewarded." Pro Tip: Don’t shy away from the unglamorous parts of nonprofit work. They’re essential. Want to see the rest of the answers in the freebie? It’s loaded with examples. You’ll see how to apply this framework in real situations, with real donor language, and keep things moving forward without losing the heart of the conversation. Every answer in this guide is rooted in respect for donor autonomy and full transparency – two values that keep relationships healthy and real. Think of it as a conversational compass – something you can adapt to your voice and situation – rather than a one-size-fits-all speech. You’ve got the passion and the instincts. This will help you put it into words – quickly, confidently, and with the clarity today’s donors (and communities) deserve. Cheers! P.S. Like this kind of insight? Subscribe to Real Deal Fundraising and get my best articles, tools, and curated resources every week – including webinars, videos, and free downloads. If you liked this…
“Wait, Am I Supposed to Fundraise Now Too?” A Department Chair’s Guide to Getting StartedPop Quiz: A beloved faculty member retires, and your department wants to honor them with a named scholarship. Should you: a) Hit up that top donor at the tailgate b) Meet with Advancement and make a plan c) Launch a GoFundMe and post it to the department's social media If you picked B, congratulations – you’ve passed. If you're scratching your head, you're not alone. (And yes, every one of those quiz options I have witnessed personally.) Far too often, faculty are either sprinting ahead trying to do it all themselves or sitting it out because the maze of advancement feels too intimidating. Neither of these extreme approaches do justice to your students, your honorees, or your own standing as a leader on campus. Here’s the thing: most faculty don’t go into academia thinking they’ll ever be responsible for raising money. Then one day, they step into a department chair role and suddenly, fundraising is on the job description – but no one handed them a manual. It’s a lot to take on, especially when you’re already juggling budgets, personnel, and curriculum. Though I’m an Advancement professional, I’ve worked directly with faculty on fundraising since the 20th century – and I’ve seen plenty of ways fundraising efforts can go sideways. These are the things that work to make you the Advancement team’s favorite faculty collaborator. When you know who to call and how to work together, you not only raise more money, you build momentum, respect, and resources. Let’s talk about how to work effectively across campus. Development Most of the folks in Development departments actually aren’t major gift officers who play golf all day. In reality, it’s the researchers, database managers, gift processors, accountants, and annual giving folks who are the real MVPs and can be your best resource as a department chair. Development offices thrive when faculty help connect academic work to donor dreams. They’re looking for faculty who can paint a clear picture of how gifts support teaching, research, and student success. Want to get off on the right foot? Here are three things you can do:
Alumni Association Your former students aren’t just Facebook friends. They're potential mentors, donors, and champions for your department. The Alumni Association wants your help making those connections stick. Want to build better relationships with alumni staff and support your grads? Here are three ways to start:
Campus Politics Around Giving Yes, it can get political. Departments can get territorial. Your college or university will have its own fundraising priorities which may not match yours. Donors get pulled in ten directions – and when everyone goes rogue with fundraising, everybody loses. Instead of guarding your turf, try building bridges. Focus on what the donor wants and how multiple units might work together. A shared proposal doesn’t dilute your message – it strengthens it. It shows you’re working as a team, which donors love. Collaboration isn’t just a buzzword. It’s a strategy. And when faculty, development, and alumni relations team up, the results are bigger, better, and more sustainable. Truly, everyone working together advances the institution. So, the next time someone announces their intention to retire and you want to honor them with a scholarship, don’t wing it or walk away. Partner up. Think long-term. Be the faculty leader who understands how things get done – and gets them done with heart and strategy. Ready to take the next step?If this post hit home, I’ve got something that’ll really help: a free 35-minute webinar called Building Fundraising Confidence for Department Chairs. It’s practical, empowering, and designed to help you stop second-guessing and start asking with clarity. You’ll get access immediately—and it’ll subscribe you to my newsletter where I share more strategies, stories, and insights for academic leaders who are learning how to fundraise without losing their minds. Cheers! PS - I hope you’ll continue the conversation by subscribing to Real Deal Fundraising. When you subscribe, you’ll get my e-newsletter, which includes the best articles on fundraising, productivity, and cool stuff every week. The whole thing is curated awesomeness as well as freebies like webinars, instructional videos, and whatever else I can put together to be helpful to you!
Rethinking Board Recruitment: The 4 Ws That Really MatterWhen I ask a nonprofit leader what they’re looking for in a new board member, I often hear one of three things: “We need someone with deep pockets.” “We need someone who knows people.” “We just need someone who will actually show up and help.” That’s where the old 3 Ws model comes from: Wealth, Window Dressing, and Worker Bee. (Quick note: I didn’t come up with those labels – and they’re not meant to be demeaning. These short-hand categories have been floating around the nonprofit world for decades because they’re easy to remember and speak to the roles board members often play.) But that “Worker Bee” bucket? It was doing too much. There’s a big difference between someone who’s eager to help and someone who brings a specific, strategic skill set that your organization really needs. So I’ve updated the model. Here’s what I use now: The 4 Ws of Board Value 1. Wealth Financial capacity and willingness to give meaningfully. These board members lead with their giving and help bring others to the table. 2. Window Dressing These members come with name recognition, public credibility, or powerful networks. And let’s be clear: this isn’t fluff. Think of actual window dressing – it draws people in. Visibility, reputation, and access to new audiences can absolutely drive momentum, when paired with authentic engagement. 3. Willing Hands These are the doers. They show up, roll up their sleeves, make thank-you calls, stuff envelopes, and volunteer at events. Their time and energy are often the engine behind day-to-day progress. 4. Wisdom These folks bring specific expertise – finance, legal, marketing, investments, HR, governance, DEI. They help your organization make informed, strategic decisions. A Visual Way to Think About It You can picture this concept as a four-part Venn diagram – each W intersecting with the others. The center is where your dream board prospects live: those rare folks who bring all four. Note: This image is a helpful visual, but not mathematically perfect. Some combinations (like Wealth + Wisdom) don’t appear distinctly due to the limitations of 4-part diagrams. A Practical Way to Use It In real-world board recruitment, it can help to ditch the diagram and move to a simple grid. A spreadsheet like the one below makes it easier to evaluate prospective members based on the categories they fulfill – and shows where you’re strong or where you need to recruit intentionally. Each person is evaluated on whether they bring one, two, three, or all four of the Ws. Then you can sort, filter, and prioritize your outreach. The Real Goal Build a board full of people who bring at least two of these categories – and who align with your mission and values. Look for overlaps. The magic is in the mix. And don’t leave this work to the board alone. Your fundraising staff and executive leadership need to be working hand-in-hand with the nominating committee – from the very beginning. They know the needs, they understand the gaps, and they’ll be the ones partnering with these new board members down the road. When you use the 4 Ws to guide your recruitment, you’re not just filling seats. You’re building something durable, strategic, and deeply aligned with your mission. P.S. Want to take the first step? Grab my free Board Fundraising Menu – a customizable and printable tool that helps your board members choose where and how they can plug into fundraising. It’s clear, easy, and surprisingly motivating. Cheers! PS - I hope you’ll continue the conversation by subscribing to Real Deal Fundraising. When you subscribe, you’ll get my e-newsletter, which includes the best articles on fundraising, productivity, and cool stuff every week. The whole thing is curated awesomeness as well as freebies like webinars, instructional videos, and whatever else I can put together to be helpful to you!
How to Build a Philanthropy Calendar That Drives Digital DonationsEvery year in November, National Philanthropy Day would roll around and I’d sigh and say to myself: “Next year, I’m going to be ready.” I’d swear that I would plan ahead, write the emails, prep the social media graphics, and really celebrate the day with our donors. Then February would roll around and I’d see adorable Valentine’s Day posts from other schools – “We ❤️ our donors!” – and then again on St. Patrick’s Day – “We’re lucky to have you!” And I’d think: Next year. Definitely next year. Finally, last summer, I had had enough. We blocked time, pulled out the project management software, and started building a full philanthropy calendar – complete with stewardship moments, giving day content, and awareness-based messaging. And now? We don’t miss those chances to talk about philanthropy. We show up with intention. And the best part? Once this year is done, we’ll already have an entire year’s worth of content ready to refresh and reuse next time around. Honestly – it’s one of the best things we’ve done. Why every nonprofit needs a philanthropy calendar If you’re in higher ed advancement (and especially if your fiscal year starts July 1), now is the time to build your calendar for the next year – before you're juggling events, campaigns, and year-end appeals. When you plan your giving-focused content in advance, you give your team the time and space to tie fundraising to moments that matter – national observances, cause-based awareness days, and your own institutional milestones. You stop scrambling. You start seeing results. Digital fundraising isn’t just about being visible. It’s about being intentional. What kinds of dates belong on your calendar?Start with the obvious ones: your founding date, commencement, homecoming, or the birthday of a beloved former president with a named scholarship fund. Then build out from there. Here are a few ideas to get you thinking:
The more your calendar reflects your organization’s story, the more it will resonate with your community. These aren't throwaway posts – they’re meaningful messages that reinforce your mission and make giving feel timely and personal. Tools to make it happen Use scheduling tools like Buffer, Later, or Hootsuite to plan ahead. Build Canva templates you can reuse year after year. And make sure someone on your team is tracking which content types drive engagement – not just likes, but actual clicks, gifts, or email signups. Once you get into the rhythm of planning ahead, the content starts to build on itself – and pretty soon, you're not starting from scratch every year. You’re refining, reusing, and getting stronger with every cycle. You don’t need a massive team or a fancy agency. Just a plan, a few tools, and a commitment to showing up for your donors in meaningful ways. Need a head start? I’ve done the heavy lifting for you – get your free Year-Round Philanthropy Calendar with dates organized by theme and by month and ideas for implementation. This curated list of dozens of dates is tailor-made for fundraising, stewardship, and storytelling – including giving days, mission-aligned observances, and the quirky holidays that make for surprisingly great donor content. Just drop your email, and you’ll be able to download it instantly. Easy. One calendar. A year’s worth of opportunities to show up, connect with your donors, and tell the story of your mission. What dates are important for your messaging and content throughout the year? Let me know in the comments. Cheers, PS - I hope you’ll continue the conversation by subscribing to Real Deal Fundraising. When you subscribe, you’ll get my e-newsletter, which includes the best articles on fundraising, productivity, and cool stuff every week. The whole thing is curated awesomeness as well as freebies like webinars, instructional videos, and whatever else I can put together to be helpful to you! If you liked this…
Giving donors reasons to give is an important part of case-building. Don’t underestimate the simple power of a top ten list. Here is a list of ten possible reasons to give to get you started brain-storming your own reasons to give at your institution.
You can create a dedicated webpage out of these and then promote one per week or day on social media and then repeatedly re-post the website. Make sure your text explaining each of these reasons has links to your giving page. #10: Tuition is not enough. Tuition usually only covers a portion of the cost of an education. See if you can use this reason to give to present this data. Emotional appeals are great for many donors but others want to see the numbers and facts. #9: Open doors of opportunity. Community support is critical to helping hard-working students graduate. Many of your students could not afford an education without scholarship assistance. Make that case with this reason to give. #8: Invest in today’s students, tomorrow’s leaders. A gift to your institution helps to clear a path to a degree for many students. Perhaps quickly mention a story of what one of your recent graduates is doing that is impressive and noteworthy. #7: Gifts help your institution attract major gifts and grants. Foundations and corporations often consider charitable support to be an indication of merit. For example, they may look at the percent of alumni giving, the percent of employee giving and the total dollars raised each year when evaluating a grant application. A gift sends a signal to these outside funders that your institution is worthy of their support. #6: Maintain the value of a degree from your institution. Giving, as we know, is key factor considered by accrediting agencies and ranking institutions like U.S. News and World Report. It’s important to communicate to our constituents that especially if you are a graduate, your gift will help the institution maintain accreditation and increase its reputation, thereby increasing the value of a degree from your institution. Even a small gift makes a difference. #5: It doesn’t take much! Your gift, combined with the gifts of others, can have a very powerful impact, regardless of the amount. No gift is too small to make a difference! Together we can reach our goals but we need your participation. #4: It’s a worthy tradition. Your institution has been educating people since its year of founding and it is likely that your institution has been sustained by generous gifts at every step along the way. It is vital that today your alumni and friends carry on this important tradition of generosity. #3: Amplify your values. When you give to your institution, you are giving to students who are also future leaders. What do you students do when they leave your institution that is unique and valuable? Whose lives will your students change? #2: The world needs your institution. For this reason to give you will really needs to dig into what makes your institution unique among other institutions. What do you offer the world that no one else can? #1: Now is the time… Make an investment in your institution so that it can expand its mission. Explain why your institution is unique and precious and that the time is now to make a gift which will be tangible evidence of the hope we all share for how this institution can change the world. When you are planning any event (for fundraising or otherwise), it’s so important to have a generic checklist to go through during your planning so that you don’t miss something obvious. Most checklists you find online are geared for wedding or other non-professional events. So, I created my own.
Here’s the list of things you should think about when event planning. If you have small events inside a larger series of event (like a convention) you will want to go through this checklist for all of the smaller events and the event as a whole.
Call Center is hard work. It was where I started my career in fundraising, at the tender age of 18. I think many young people enter the philanthropy industry through the phonathon and leave feeling that this career path isn't for them.
I'm committed to giving these young professionals the support and training they need to survive and thrive in call center, so that they can ultimately move on to other areas of development and contribute in big ways to the non-profit world. To that end, I'm offering some training materials. For anyone who subscribes to Real Deal Fundraising over the next month, you get two gifts from me. 1) You will get immediate access to the e-book "15 Best Call Center Games" for FREE 2) You'll be entered to win a free copy of my upcoming e-book "How to Staff Your Phonathon Super-Fast: the 7 Secrets to Fill the Seats" I hope you'll subscribe today. If you aren't a phonathon manager, please share this information with the phonathon managers and other development professionals you mentor. Thanks! Jessica |
Jessica Cloud, CFREI've been called the Tasmanian Devil of fundraising and I'm here to talk shop with you. Archives
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