Making the Case: A Development Team for the Long Haul
The why and the how of creating, cultivating, and keeping a development team long-term is no doubt, incredibly vague across the landscape of organizations facing rapid fundraising turnover.
We are excited to showcase how a fundraising team for the long haul will exponentially support your organization for years into the future – and practical ways to bring this into reality.
Unleashing Your Leadership’s Fundraising Potential
CEOs, Executive Directors, and Presidents play a significant role in an organization’s fundraising potential, and fundraising leaders who work with them can, in tandem, take development to a greater level of sophistication and effectiveness.
Attracting and Stewarding Donor-Advised Fund Holders
Donor-advised funds are top of mind for all of us working in fundraising, and those who choose to invest via a DAF should receive ample, individualized attention from organizations to cultivate their involvement over time. With DAFs on a consistent rise across the philanthropic landscape (according to the 2023 DAF Report from the National Philanthropic Trust, grantmaking from DAFs has more than doubled in the last five years – check out our previous post on Five Major Shifts in Fundraising Over the Last Five Years to learn what other areas you should spotlight) and many donors and organizations struggling to navigate this shift, attracting stewarding DAF holders in ways that address their specific needs and concerns should be a top goal in your stewardship plan.
The Why and The How: Elevating a Positive Culture of Philanthropy
A culture of philanthropy flourishes when all staff, volunteers, and leadership see the value and need in fundraising, know their role in this work, and eagerly engage. Putting sincere intentionality behind your “why” and “how” in deepening and maintaining this cultural shift is foundational in driving your organization’s long-term success.
Planning Your Fundraising Goals: Start with the End in Mind
Planning your fundraising goals when a new fiscal year approaches can be intimidating. We repeatedly hear questions about prioritizing what people, resources, systems, and more need attention and support.
MPW’s Fundraising 2024 In & Out List
Our team of experts is excited to share what we know will bring you fundraising success in 2024 and what you should leave behind in 2023. Leave us a comment below to let us know what you think is in or out of fundraising this year!
Ramping Up Revenue with a Development Committee
When you empower volunteers through the focus of a development committee, they’ll drive fundraising far beyond what development staff and your average board member can accomplish alone. These folks likely yield greater capacity than your board members. And they become champions for your fundraising goals (whether financial, educational, or social), connecting with donors and prospects to bring nuanced perspectives on your organization’s work.
Mentorship – A Reciprocal Opportunity
Watching my son, Christopher, receive his undergraduate degree earlier this month transported me back to my own entry into the workforce over four decades ago. No, I didn’t start working at the age of five, but living in an agricultural state meant that it was a viable option for me. Like most children my age, I eagerly seized opportunities to
When There’s a Crisis, Stay in Contact with Your Donors
John talks about two important lessons he learned in times of crisis and gives a bit of inspiration and inoculation against pessimism and panic of uncertain times.
Time is NOT on your Side in Fundraising
Everyone knows staying in contact with your donors is a good thing. But if you’re an executive director or development director, there always seems to be a reason not to make that call, email or other connection with them. You can still a do a bit more editing of that annual report, maybe double-check the budget before the board meeting
The Millionaire (next door) Major Gift Strategy
The affluent have not changed much because people have not changed much either. Anyone entering a profession needs a go-to book to ground them. Entering the world of fundraising, specifically major gifts, it was “The Millionaire Next Door: the Surprising Secrets of America’s Wealthy,” by Thomas J. Stanley. As a researcher of the affluent, Stanley had a very clinical look
Yes, YOU can get Major Gifts
Why do most nonprofits raise fewer major gifts (relative to size, mission, etc.) than hospitals and big universities? Simple, they don’t know how. They don’t know the process of major gift work. Smaller, less established non-profits have missions, clients, causes, volunteers, and staff that are just as good and with same ability to make donor’s feel the impact of their