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
Communication is Key – Just Ask What you Want to Know!
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 hearRead More Communication is Key – Just Ask What you Want to Know!
What Do You Have About Me In Your Database?
I was at a meeting recently when I was approached by a volunteer who asked me a question. The exchange went like this: Volunteer: “What information from your database have you shared with XYZ Org?” Me: “What database?” Volunteer: “The database at the firm.” Me: “We don’t have a database with information about you atRead More What Do You Have About Me In Your Database?
6 Solicitation Statements That Should Never Have Been Uttered
But unfortunately, they were. Be sure to avoid solicitation statements like these, or you’ll end up with nothing! 1. I’m so very, very sorry to call you about the annual giving campaign for Upper Crust High. Many years back I volunteered to assist my children’s school with their parent phonathon. Much to my surprise, theRead More 6 Solicitation Statements That Should Never Have Been Uttered
I’m A Volunteer; You Can’t Make Me Do Anything
The headline of this article is an expression I’ve used for over thirty years. Relying on volunteers can lead to misunderstanding, sluggish performance, disappointment, and oftentimes, negative outcomes. Or, volunteers can be the measure that propels a nonprofit organization to its greatest success. In my travels, I meet Executive Directors and CEOs of nonprofits onRead More I’m A Volunteer; You Can’t Make Me Do Anything
2013 Donor Trends
“You know, Jerry, I’ve decided to focus my philanthropic dollars on fewer organizations going forward. I’d prefer giving a larger amount to support two or three organizations rather than giving smaller amounts to numerous groups.” Essentially that was the verbatim comment one organization’s major donor told me recently as I conducted a Campaign Strategy StudyRead More 2013 Donor Trends
What The Heck Is Donor Fatigue?
In recent months we’ve been asked dozens of times by reporters, clients and volunteer leaders about phenomenon of “donor fatigue”. This theory espouses that there are so many fundraising projects underway that donors are stretched to capacity and can no longer support them all. In essence, that donors are “worn out” from too much givingRead More What The Heck Is Donor Fatigue?
Millennials Donors: Three Things You Should Know
by Sandra K. Kidd, Senior Partner More than 6,500 young people aged 20-35 were surveyed this year about what motivates them to give and get engaged with nonprofits. The third annual survey of the Millennials, released this summer, shows that The Three Ts are powerful forces in shaping the how and why of philanthropy for this group. Technology continues toRead More Millennials Donors: Three Things You Should Know
Millennials Donors: Three Things You Should Know
More than 6,500 young people aged 20-35 were surveyed this year about what motivates them to give and get engaged with nonprofits. The third annual survey of the Millennials, released this summer, shows that The Three Ts are powerful forces in shaping the how and why of philanthropy for this group. Technology continues to driveRead More Millennials Donors: Three Things You Should Know
The Only Cure for Donor Fatigue
It happened again. I was meeting with a school head recently and she told me, “Our fundraising is flat, we are experiencing a lot of donor fatigue.” I told her that I was not surprised to hear that, because donor fatigue is easily spread through contact with unicorns. Ok, I really wasn’t that sarcastic (butRead More The Only Cure for Donor Fatigue
