Learning Leadership
At Butler, a Corporate Way to Manage Change and Groom New Leaders, an article in the August 1 edition of The Chronicle of Higher Education, made for a fascinating read, and not just because Butler University is a former client. These are challenging times for the not for profit sector as we emerge from theRead More Learning Leadership
Brick Paver Campaigns: To Follow The Yellow Brick Road… Or Not?
Nonprofits often engage in brick paver campaigns with good intentions and sincere motives, but, in fundraising terms, about 4 out of 5 are financially unsuccessful. While they may seem like a good idea at the outset, the end results can be disastrous, as evidenced by the following horror stories I’ve been told: One organization’s one-size-fits-allRead More Brick Paver Campaigns: To Follow The Yellow Brick Road… Or Not?
Philanthropy: Dance The Dance
I am struck how often development officers fail to follow-through with conversations about gift commitments when opportunities present themselves. This came to mind very recently during a conversation with the chief development officer for a college whose university we are serving. Here’s the background: This officer was recruiting volunteers to serve on the college’s campaignRead More Philanthropy: Dance The Dance
Touch Points Please: Donor Engagement
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 whileRead More Touch Points Please: Donor Engagement
When It Comes To Metrics, What Does Not Get Measured Does Not Get Done
We have spent a lot of time over the last several years helping organizations establish metrics to measure the development office and staff performance against a set of standards. Often these standards are based on what peers are doing and on some “best practices” in development. But often, what these metrics lack are 1) andRead More When It Comes To Metrics, What Does Not Get Measured Does Not Get Done
Utilizing Your Gift Officers To Their Highest Capacity
In conversation with development professionals and from the many development assessments my colleagues and I at Alexander Haas have done, I am constantly reminded that no office has sufficient field officers to secure major, planned and leadership annual gifts. It’s just a fact of life. That only serves to amplify our need to make sureRead More Utilizing Your Gift Officers To Their Highest Capacity
How to Successfully End a Prospect Meeting
“The meeting just dragged on and on. I just couldn’t bring it to a close. Later, I realized that I had been talking with them for almost two hours. I hope they weren’t as bored as I was.” All of us at one time or another have had a prospect meeting that lasted forever. TheRead More How to Successfully End a Prospect Meeting
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
That’s How The Pigskin Bounces: Football Season Fundraising
Many of the organizations we work with are colleges and universities, and many of these play intercollegiate football at some level. Several of our current clients are prominent NCAA FBS schools. In fact, 5 of the AP top 10 are current or former clients of Alexander Haas. So what, you ask. I thought this wasRead More That’s How The Pigskin Bounces: Football Season Fundraising
Leadership Giving: A Key Element For Development Success
By Arthur Criscillis In most organizations, a tremendous amount of time and attention is devoted to principal, major and planned giving programs. Why? Because they tend to generate gifts with the greatest impact on colleges and universities – in addition to fueling high campaign goals. However, because of the focus on major and planned givingRead More Leadership Giving: A Key Element For Development Success
