Can We Require A Minimum Gift To A Campaign?
By: Nancy E. Peterman, Partner “Can we require a minimum gift to a campaign?” The question I was asked was unusual. The caller, co-chair of a local organization, wanted to know if we had ever recommended requiring a minimum gift level for a capital campaign. This organization had initiated a capital campaign several years ago,Read More Can We Require A Minimum Gift To A Campaign?
Fostering Little Philanthropists
By: Heather Thornton, Project Manager I was rushing into WalMart last weekend, attempting to cram a week’s worth of sopping needs into a twenty minute mad dash around the store. List in hand, I grabbed a cart, ready to set the World Record for the fastest shopping trip known to man, when I heard aRead More Fostering Little Philanthropists
Meaningful Metrics
By: David T. Shufflebarger, Senior Partner You may have heard the phrase, “What gets measured gets done.” It’s variously attributed to Peter Drucker, Lord Kelvin, and the Renaissance astronomer Rheticus (the sole pupil of Nicolaus Copernicus). Its original version was, “If you can measure it, you can manage it.” Measuring it, of course, doesn’t meanRead More Meaningful Metrics
Giving on Mobile Devices up 80% Since 2013, Study Finds
By: Heather Thornton, Project Manager I resisted getting a smartphone or tablet for some time, probably longer than most people, simply because I thought it was unnecessary. “I have my computer and old school cell phone,” I thought, “so, why would I need a smartphone? How smart can a phone really be?” Fast-forward a coupleRead More Giving on Mobile Devices up 80% Since 2013, Study Finds
Where The Wild Things Are
By: Elizabeth Smith, Project Coordinator Have you ever had a runaway committee member who hijacks the meetings and goes on never-ending tangents that cause the meeting to run over? If so, you have experienced a Wild Thing. In my experience with Wild Things, they have passion for the organization and excitement for the project, butRead More Where The Wild Things Are
The Boat With One Oar
By: Katie MacKenzie, Project Coordinator A man in a small row boat once found himself caught up in a sudden storm. Waves were crashing. Wind was howling. The boat was impossible to control. In all of the chaos, one of his two oars was tossed overboard, never to be seen again. As the winds diedRead More The Boat With One Oar
A Donor’s Tale: Dispelling A Dubious Prediction
By: Nancy E. Peterman, Partner I had the good fortune on a recent flight Cleveland to sit next to an alternate delegate for the Republican National Convention. We decided not to discuss the election (well, at least not for the record.) Instead, we talked about the merits of our respective industries, particularly with regard toRead More A Donor’s Tale: Dispelling A Dubious Prediction
Sandra Kidd, Partner at Alexander Haas
Online tool/resource: Book recommendation: Anything by Peter F. Drucker. Personal habit that contributes to success: Ask really good questions. Ice breaker for new donor prospect: Ask questions to pull the donor prospect into the conversation. _____________________________________________________________________________________ SOME “TOP TEN” QUESTIONS FOR EXPLORATORY “DISCOVERY CALLS” We often focus in making calls on the information that we want toRead More Sandra Kidd, Partner at Alexander Haas
All Philanthropy Is Local…Or, Is It?
By: Jerry W. Henry, Partner A highly-respected head of a fundraising firm spoke up at a recent national gathering of consultants and said, “all philanthropy is local.” (He was making a twist on the phrase “all politics is local” that is attributed to former Speaker of the House of Representatives Tip O’Neill from decades ago.) Read More All Philanthropy Is Local…Or, Is It?
Brexit Balderdash
By: David T. Shufflebarger, Senior Partner Thanks to the good work of the Giving USA Foundation and its research partner, the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, we know that giving correlates most positively to the stock market. So, it is not unreasonable to wonder about the impact on giving when the markets move markedly.Read More Brexit Balderdash
