Embracing Donor-Centric Communications with Tom Ahern

Beyond the Bake Sale

Tom Ahern is considered one of North America’s leading authorities on donor communications.

Tom works with dozens of clients nationwide every year. They include brand names like the Sierra Club and Save the Children, as well as hospitals, universities, foundations, and local charities. He specializes in bequest marketing; donor communications evaluations; direct mail; newsletter interventions; and case statements for big-ticket campaigns.

Each year, he delivers dozens of workshops on the techniques of (and psychology behind) effective fundraising communications. He is also the author of four well-received books

Tom is also an award-winning magazine journalist, for articles on health, women’s rights and other social justice issues. He has his MA and BA in English from Brown University, and a Certificate in Advertising Art from the RI School of Design. His office is in Rhode Island. He writes his books at his second home in France.

In our conversation we discussed

• How fundraising is about activity
• Why now, why us, why anyone would care
• How nonprofits and charities need authenticity