Fundraising is NOT the "f" word! -- Gifts for fundraising professionals

I've been amazed at how afraid people can be of asking for money. Some even seem seem afraid of the very word "fundraising."

So I've found myself saying "Fundraising is not the 'f' word!"

So, with the help of CafePress.com, I've created some t-shirts, mugs, stickers, tote bags, with that slogan on it. Even some Flip video cameras!

Check it out at http://cafepress.com/askwithoutfear.

Could be the perfect gift for that fundraiser you love that seems to have everything. :)

Fundraising Coach speaking in Seattle October 8

I'm honored to be presenting the keynote at the Puget Sound Chapter of the American Marketing Association lunch on October 8. They've even offered me a book signing of "Ask Without Fear!" at the luncheon location, the flagship REI store in downtown Seattle!

Pretty appropriate for a guy who's tagline is "Fundraising is an extreme sport!"

If you'll be in the area, we'd love to have you join us. More information is available at:
http://www.psama.org/events/event_detail.aspx?id=88

"Fundraising Training in 20 Minutes" featured on SlideShare

Yay! My "Ask Without Fear! Fundraising Training in 20 Minutes" is featured on SlideShare's home page. (It's down a bit on the page.)

While there, be sure to click on the fundraising training slides to vote for them as a World's Best Presentation!

Fundraising Training in 20 minutes up for SlideShare's World's Best Presentation Contest!

World's Best Presentation Contest 2009

Would you vote for my "Ask Without Fear! Fundraising Training in 20 minutes" as a "best presentation" in SlideShare's contest?

These 20 slides were created for a presentation to a local Rotary club. I love doing fundraising training! This one is meant to demystify fundraising and remove the fear!

You can vote by clicking on the image above or by going to:
http://www.slideshare.net/marcapitman/ask-without-fear-fundraising-training-in-20-minutes.

Fundraising Coach featured as a top Twitter strategy

David Hale lists my use of Twitter to sell marred or damaged copies of Ask Without Fear! as one of "3 Top Twitter Tips" on Examiner.com.

Check out the story to read about how I use Twitter to sell otherwhise unsellable books and how two other companies use it to raise brand awareness: 3 top Twitter tips, strategies and techniques to attract customers and marketing presence.

New "Ask Without Fear!" Reviews from AHP

In a recent email, the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy recently included three reviews of Ask Without Fear!:

Ask without Fear can be read in a short period of time and is well worth the effort. Although much of the content may not be “news” to seasoned fund raising professionals, a quick review is always beneficial. I found myself underlining phrases and making a few notes in the margin. There is sound wisdom here as well as making us stop and think about what is the most important facet of our jobs—people.

— Marilyn Parker, Operations and Planned Giving Director
Benefis Healthcare Foundation


This primer offers helpful acronyms, charts and stories to guide the novice development director along the path to fundraising success. The book is not for trustees or donors but for the early-career fundraiser. Perhaps the most valuable element of the book is the author’s stories, which like every good fundraiser, Pitman has in abundance and uses to good effect. One would hope that future editions include information missing here. Pitman is one of the few fundraiser-cognoscenti of the new social media, such as Twitter. A discussion of this topic and its relevance to fundraising would make a helpful addition to the book.

— Gary Jaworski, Executive Director
American Hospital of Paris Foundation

This 90 page book is quick, easy to read and engaging; a good read for volunteers or development professionals. It has a number of myth busters, tips and addresses to useful tools on the web; however not all the websites listed were still available. The last chapter introduced the use of personality profiles in fund raising and this topic is difficult to cover fully in a short chapter. The book does an effective job of outlining the research and strategies that should be employed in all types of fund raising.

— Mark Larkin, CFRE, Executive Director
Centracare Health Foundation

"Raising Funds in an Uncertain Economy" published in Nonprofit World

I'm pleased to announce that an article I wrote called "Raising Funds in an Uncertain Economy" was featured in the March/April issue of the Society for Nonprofit Organizations "Nonprofit World."

This article is a version of my Recession-proof Fundraising.

What publications do you read for fundraising information?

SlideShare showcases Successful Fundraising in a Recession

I just learned that SlideShare is currently showcasing my Sucessful Fundraising in a Recession keynote slides in their News & Politics section!

The transcript is still wrong. Most of that is from my fundraising storytelling slides. Weird!

Comments on Successful Fundraising in a Recesssion

A friend let me borrow his Flip video camera on my recent trip to Utah.

Here are some of the comments from people that heard my brand new talk, "Successful Fundraising in a Recession."

Thoughts on Successful Fundraising in a Recession from Marc A. Pitman on Vimeo.

More thoughts on Successful Fundraising in a Recession from Marc A. Pitman on Vimeo.

Even more thoughts on Successful Fundraising in a Recession from Marc A. Pitman on Vimeo.

The slides are available at Successful Fundraising in a Recession on SlideShare.

Fundraising & Marketing Seminar in Utah: May 13 3 p.m.

I'm pleased to announce that while I'm in Salt Lake City for the USFR meeting, I'll also be giving a public seminar on fundraising and nonprofit marketing.

The seminar, called "Who's Telling Your Story?" will be hosted by the Utah Nonprofit Assocation from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13.

For more information, or to register for the seminar, go to the Utah Nonprofit Association Event Calendar.

Speaking at USFR's Annual Meeting

I'm pleased to announce that I have the honor of speaking at the Utah Society of Fund Raisers annual meeting on May 13 in Salt Lake City.

My topic will be "Successful Fund Raising When Most Giving is Going Down."

If you're in the area of Salt Lake City, I believe there's still time to register.

FREE "Ask Without Fear!" Teleclass

Since this month marks the 1 year anniversary of the publication of "Ask Without Fear!", I'm deciding to have a party!

On April 28 at 12 noon Eastern Time, I'll be offering a free teleclass on fundraising in today's economy.

To join the call, you just need to go to the registration page.

The call costs $37 but you can get in free if you know the "password": the fourth word of the second paragraph on page 50 of "Ask Without Fear!" (In the ebook, page 50 is "52 of 98.) If you have the Kindle version, it's the fourth word at location 1047.)

This call will be part class, part roundtable. I'll be sharing some strategies that are working but there will be plenty of time for group coaching as well!

We'd love to have you join us! Just go to the registration page.

This call will be recorded and available for purchase afterwards.