Strategies to reach your year-end fundraising goals

Guidestar.org says the fundraising outlook for year-end 2009 "is looking more positive. Donors who were reluctant to give earlier this year seem to be feeling more generous right now."

Accordingly, to help your year-end campaign to be the best ever, the nonprofit has provided a top 10 list of strategies that will help you zoom past your year-end goals:

1. Identify the 10-15 major donors who have yet to give in '09.
2. Identify 50-100 donors and make face-to-face calls on them to ask them for their year-end gifts.
3. Don't let reluctant volunteers hold you back.
4. Warm up your donors before the ask.
5. Don't forget to add to your prospect list.
6. Use a visual and emotional hook in your appeal letter.
7. Make your appeal letter attractive and easy to read.
8. Make your solicitation obvious and easy to find.
9. Follow up the appeal letter with a phone call.
10. Plan one or two e-mail follow-ups the very last two days of December.

Click here for advice about how to execute each of these tips.