by Nancy E. Peterman, Partner One common element of many recent university campaigns is the establishment of a leadership program. A popular brand as a program or institute, a leadership center has come to represent a collection of experiences that are designed to develop desirable characteristics needed for graduates to make a difference in society. […]

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 simple: […]

Arthur L. Criscillis, Ed.D., Partner I was asked by a client to join the staff for their yearly planning retreat and was asked to do a presentation on the top ten characteristics of effective development programs. While I have given a great deal of thought to what makes a development program excel, I had never really […]

By Jerry Henry, Partner “For many that rely on philanthropy…this is not just a tough year. This is going to be a tough era.”–Patrick Rooney, Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University “Ugh! What’s our organization supposed to do?” one client asked dejectedly upon reading the statement above in a recent publication based on the 2012 Giving […]

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. And […]

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 to […]

By: Jerry Henry,Partner “One Size Fits All.” That’s the clothing tag on the collar of my bathrobe. However, I must disagree with the designer. You see, I’m 5′ 7″ tall (or short, as the case may be) and the sleeves of the bathrobe are entirely too long for me. The length is fine-mid-calf, if you must […]

Shuff Happens! David Shufflebarger Sounds Off Matching notes on planned giving recently with Joe Bales, Vice President for Development and University Relations at Middle Tennessee State University, he and I both recalled reading an article 20 or so years ago that emphasized the significant role such gifts can play. Our memory was that the article […]