How Do You Present?
By Heather Thornton, Project Manager Recently, I dressed up for my first “picture day” in over 10 years, as the firm is updating our website’s company photos. This time, instead of excitedly pulling on the brand-new thoughtfully purchased and carefully laid out outfit (bought by my mom) and waiting in line with other classmates whileRead More How Do You Present?
Donor Contact: Make It Personal
A recent conversation with an alumna of a public university in the east illustrated to me how a variety of contact methods can be used effectively. She is an international businesswoman in the Los Angeles area being courted by one of the leading private universities there as a potential trustee and eight-figure donor. A deanRead More Donor Contact: Make It Personal
A Simple Thank You
I recently started volunteering at an organization in Atlanta in order to get involved in the community. It wasn’t until I had a horrible experience with their volunteer services that I thought about discontinuing my giving to the organization. From the mismanagement of the volunteers to the lack of gratitude, I was angry and never wantedRead More A Simple Thank You
Dancing With A Donor’s Ego: A How To
By Jarrad Howard, Campaign Strategy Study Coordinator In a meeting with a potential donor, whether they are a new donor or a constant supporter of your organization, I have found that these meetings are never one-on-one. The parties in attendance are always you, your donor…and your donor’s ego. Although uninvited, the ego is ever presentRead More Dancing With A Donor’s Ego: A How To
Turning First-Time Donors Into Repeat Supporters
By Heather H. Thornton, Project Manager Back in August, I wrote about giving my first gift to my alma mater. I finally decided to take the plunge after I was alerted via email from the University about a fire at one of the oldest buildings on campus. This prompted me to revisit my beloved almaRead More Turning First-Time Donors Into Repeat Supporters
Who’s In Your Donor Database?
Every few months my mailbox (the real one) gets stuffed with alumni magazines from colleges and independent schools to whom for one reason or another I made a gift. These gifts were several years ago and I am not a repeat donor. I am a classic aging SYBUNT that is just sucking up marketing andRead More Who’s In Your Donor Database?
Mistakes Are Proof That You Are Trying
No mistake is proof you succeeded. I recently partook in a webinar on peer-to-peer fundraising hosted by a well-known company. The moderator, who was very intelligent and experienced, talked about the key groups a volunteer fundraiser has and how to determine their “infinity” toward the project. Yes, infinity was written on the slides, and itRead More Mistakes Are Proof That You Are Trying
Learning To Appreciate “No”
By: Jarrad Howard In the fundraising world, our favorite word to hear is “YES”. YES I will give. YES I will take part in the campaign. YES I will take part. But what happens when that “yes” doesn’t come? What happens when the answer given is some form of the word maybe? Or just “no”?Read More Learning To Appreciate “No”
The Dog Days of Summer Fundraising
It’s the 25th of June—summer has officially just begun—and already Atlanta temperatures have shot into the 90s. Yesterday, my car registered 113 degrees on the Friday afternoon parking lot in Atlanta that is otherwise known as Interstate 285. As I sat on the I-285 Perimeter, I was trying to think of all the things IRead More The Dog Days of Summer Fundraising
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
