Thursday December 18- reader survey

Hi !

Apple Jacks: What’s cookin this week 

In this week’s enews…

• Please help me!

• Look at what you’ve accomplished

• How to share great gratitude

• Great post: 10 ways to retain monthly donors

• How can I help you? 

The solution to the Triple E (enews easter egg) from last week: People mentioned in Adam Sandler’s first Chanuka song.

This week’s edition is gonna be a little bit different. Again.

Froot Loops: I need your help please! 

I happily put in a lot of effort into each week’s enews edition. My goal? Turn your pain points into growth opportunities.

But in order for me to do that effectively and give you the content you need and want, I need to hear from you!

I’d appreciate if you could take 5 minutes and fill out my annual subscriber survey. I want to know if I’m hitting the mark or need to do better.

At the end, you are welcome to leave comments and feedback. As I do with your emails, I read what everyone submits. Please add your first name and email address to your comments if you’d like me to get back to you.

Thank you so much in advance. I look forward to reading and analyzing your responses!

Frosted Flakes: 😃 😃 😃 😃 😃 😃 😃 😃 😃 😃 😃 

Intro 1: I’m a Gen Xer and an oldest child. In general, I don’t congratulate myself when I help a client or assist someone. We’re not the generation that pats ourselves on the shoulder. We just put our heads down and get stuff done.

Intro 2: In the past few weeks I’ve spoken to a number of CEO’s who founded their organization. I asked them, “When’s the last time you took 15 seconds to look back at where you started and where you are today?” Their response: “Never. I don’t have time.”

I know how hard you work. Nonprofit staff are underpaid, overworked and underappreciated. I’ve been there.

But as 2025 closes, I have a small request from each of you:

Move away from the computer. Put down your phone.

Close your eyes and think about the good you’ve accomplished since January 1. The people who were helped because of your dedication to the mission. The money you raised to power programs and services.

You’ve done a LOT this year and you deserve to take ten seconds, reflect on all you’ve done and smile. Just smile.

You’re amazing. You bring so much good into this world. You make people’s lives better. You have impact on your entire community.

Give yourself a pat on the back. Smile and take pride in what you’ve done this year!

Honeycomb: How to share great gratitude

I recently announced the How Do I online conference in January- the conference for staff at GROWING nonprofits (budget below $5 million). I’m using this section to introduce you to one of the conference speakers, fundraising expert Laura Amerman.

If you’ve been a subscriber for enough time, you know how much stock I put into gratitude. Lead with gratitude. Great and memorable gratitude boosts retention. When it comes to sharing gratitude which is genuine, heartfelt and makes donors feel great, fundraising expert Laura Amerman is my teacher. 30 years of fundraising, marketing and communications experience means she’s had tons of opportunities to share gratitude which is memorable. She knows how to compose gratitude letters that will lead to future giving and create stronger relationships.

At the conference, Laura will be teaching a session titled “How do I share great gratitude.” You’re going to learn how to create gratitude moments that last a long time.

Here is part of what Laura says you’ll walk away with:

• Integrating gratitude into all aspects of fundraising and communications

• Checklist for making gratitude WORK

• You don’t have to do all the things, but you do have to do some of the things

• Getting other stakeholders on board (like the Board. Get it?)

Lemme add an extra tip from Laura:

Seats are limited so reserve your tickets today for the How Do I conference. Discounts available for multiple tickets.

Hoping to see you on January 20 and 21 where you’ll learn the steps, get expert tips, best practices, how to and practical advice so you exceed your fundraising goals in 2026 and beyond.

Cocoa Puffs: A little of this and that

In this section I’m going to share with you great content I’ve picked out that you can learn from.

1. 10 ways to retain monthly donors. A MUST READ!!! (4 A Good Cause)

2. How to welcome new donors (Ann Green)

3. How to engage and retain volunteers (Nonprofit Learning Lab)

4. 5 donor privacy considerations you need to know (Nonprofits Source)

5. Fundraising: Inspiration vs. motivation (The Better Fundraising Company)

Trix: How can I help YOU?

Email is a two-way street. In the opening section, I asked for your help. Time to turn it around.

As you plan for 2026, your organization may be considering certain projects where you’ll need help. Of course there’s me and the services I provide for nonprofits like yours.

But I’m here to help you with as many needs as possible, not just what I offer. So ahead of January 1, I want to offer you access to my network.

Will you be looking for a grant writer? Web designer? Board training? CRM help?

I am blessed to have a large network of experts in many different areas connected to nonprofits. I’d be happy to share with you referrals for you to consider!

I do not take referral fees for any of this! I do this to help nonprofits grow by pairing them with top field experts out there.

If your nonprofit needs help in 2026 and you’re not sure who to turn to, reply to this email, tell me what you’re looking for and if I can, I’m happy to refer you to people who can help your organization grow and thrive.

🎶 The music was off this week. Instead I listened to the Boston-Utah hockey game. Different sound but music to my ears. (Boston won.)

I’ll be back in your inbox in two weeks. Have a great weekend!