The most important thing a nonprofit can do to increase its annual fund donors is simple: reach out and touch them. To ensure a healthy and prosperous year end, your development plan should include sending out an annual solicitation letter as early as November. Much emphasis is placed on making an annual ask, and while [...]
As fundraising consultants, we get the privilege of interviewing top donors all over the country. One of the issues that pops up constantly is the poor communication between non-profits and donors. Often, I will hear from donors that the staff of the non-profit had never talked to them about a specific issue, or I hear [...]
There is nothing more important to the health of a nonprofit than a quality Board of Trustees. It is the Board that sets your mission, chooses and provides leadership and provides resources in order to implement the mission. Often times, as consultants, we are asked about Board composition, size, wealth and responsibilities. I try to [...]
Most of the client work that I do for Alexander Haas is with cultural organizations. Recently, several board members of very well-established cultural organizations have made comments in board meetings that are, unfortunately, not uncommon: “But we aren’t feeding people.” “We aren’t working on the cure for cancer.” “How can we ask people to make [...]
By Jim Hackney, Managing Partner The philanthropy field is beginning to bounce back. Back in March, the stock market indices reached a record high, which means for many major donors, the reason to NOT make a gift (such as a depressed investment portfolio) has all but disappeared, or at least diminished, as an obstacle. Some [...]
By Jim Hackney, Managing Partner As fundraising consultants, we are energized when our work with one organization offers insight into our work with other organizations. As I write this, I am days away from traveling to Greece where I will be an Arts Envoy for the U.S. State Department. I am honored to be a [...]
By Jim Hackney, Managing Partner I had the tremendous honor of being invited by the U.S. State Department to travel to Greece on their behalf as an Arts Envoy. My mission, this past November, was to meet with and train staff members at several museums and science centers. The subject of my work was seemingly [...]
By Jim Hackney, Managing Partner I have a personal passion for museums and consider it an honor to encourage people to support our hallowed halls for works of art and the educational opportunities they provide. It is a unique adrenaline rush to ask someone for a great gift and have him or her respond positively. [...]
