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.
Why Hiring a Consultant Helped Me Succeed and Keep My Sanity
When I started in my new role as a Development Director for a local Denver non-profit, I was confident that I was going to succeed. I believed in the mission wholeheartedly and knew that the non-profit was making a real difference in the lives of the people we served. The organization was in the midst of a capital campaign and
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
Building a Culture of Philanthropy: Unmasking the Fundraising Process
As a development leader, one of your roles is to help your colleagues understand that your work is not magic or some ability-only fundraiser process. If there is a disconnect in your organization between development and other departments, it’s probably because they don’t know what your work involves.
Culture of Philanthropy: 5 Steps in Demonstrating Donor Engagement
I recently wrote about five steps in building a culture of philanthropy and breaking down silos and creating bridges for your colleagues to cross into the realm of philanthropy and embrace fundraising best practices. Here are the five as a refresher.
“I’d be lost without them!” All About Great Nonprofit Testimonials
While your mission statement may read like a year-old fruitcake—a topic for another day— testimonials are your messaging materials’ delectable dessert (or savory cheese board).
Testimonials—short statements that quote those impacted by your work—authentically and directly express your organization’s value and impact. Be sure to have some great testimonials when preparing for a campaign or end-of-year fundraising effort.