The Queen Speaks: Online Honor Rolls
My colleague John Taylor, despite his demurrers, is often called the guru of advancement services. When I asked him last year for some advice on exemplary stewardship programs he immediately recommended I talk with Lynne Wester, Director of Alumni Programs and Engagement at UNC Charlotte: “She’s the Queen of Stewardship.” High praise from a guru.Read More The Queen Speaks: Online Honor Rolls
A Fundraiser’s Take On Incentives For Giving
Much has been written and said recently about reforming the federal tax system. This is not a new issue but many people in the not-for-profit sector are concerned with the number of new proposals that would impact incentives for giving. For the record, I love America and philanthropy and I think Congress acted in theRead More A Fundraiser’s Take On Incentives For Giving
Billionaires Are People, Too!
Fairly often I see major gift officers who are successfully cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding their portfolios of $25,000 to $100,000 prospects begin to change their style when the prospect is rated at $1 million or more. Some almost freeze up when it appears that the prospect might be capable of a $5 to $10 millionRead More Billionaires Are People, Too!
Don’t Say No To The Dough: Gift Lessons
Last month The Washington Post reported that 50 leading Roman Catholics in higher education signed a letter protesting a $1-million gift that will enable the Catholic University of America’s School of Business and Economics to hire four visiting scholars to do research on “principled entrepreneurship.” They argued that the gift sends “a confusing message” becauseRead More Don’t Say No To The Dough: Gift Lessons
A Tale of Two Gifts and Taxes
Gifts and taxes. Around this time last year, two of our clients were working with donors planning to make $1 million+ gifts, as the news media were ballyhooing the ‘fiscal cliff’ fast approaching and many proposals were flying around to adjust the charitable deduction. One donor chose to make his first pledge payment in December,Read More A Tale of Two Gifts and Taxes
Challenges in Strengthening Development Programs
Recently we were asked for our thoughts on the many challenges in strengthening development programs that are faced by presidents of emerging public universities. This is an especially critical issue for these leaders as they deal with declining state and federal support and restraints on tuition increases. Given this scenario, increasing the role of philanthropyRead More Challenges in Strengthening Development Programs
Great Teachers
Somewhere along the way in school or college most of us have encountered great teachers who made an indelible impression on us. I feel fortunate to have been touched deeply by: A high school physics teacher with the gift of making it a joy to wrestle with complex problems and to learn from failed effortsRead More Great Teachers
Passionate Philanthropy
Passionate Philanthropy Starts With A Case Worthy Of Support. A wordsmith might argue that passionate philanthropy is redundant. After all, isn’t philanthropy in its essence the ‘love of humankind’ and isn’t ‘love’ a passion? Nevertheless, all of us have probably seen or heard a case for giving delivered dispassionately. Sometimes the case is so compellingRead More Passionate Philanthropy
How to Make Philanthropy Count
A frequent dilemma faced by Presidents and Chancellors in American higher education is how they can use the role of philanthropy to meet financial challenges. We were recently asked by some board members for suggestions for how to make philanthropy count. The easiest way, of course, is to increase the budget support for advancement, butRead More How to Make Philanthropy Count
Right-Sizing Your Board
by David Shufflebarger, Senior Partner We are often asked “What is the ideal size for our board?” One response is simply, “Not too large and not too small.” Another is, “It depends.” While there is some merit in both answers, neither is very helpful without delving deeper into the board’s role at an individual college,Read More Right-Sizing Your Board
