Engaging Generation Z
By Project Manager, Heather Thornton Recently, my teenage cousin came for a short visit. She is an amazing kid – smart, funny, engaging…so much so that I sometimes forget I am dealing with a 15-year old and not an older, more mature person. I would say that she represents a fairly typical Gen Zer, thoseRead More Engaging Generation Z
How To Aggravate Your Board In 4 Easy Steps
Most board members say that they are honored to be associated with their favorite non-profit, whether it is an educational, arts, cultural, human services, or religious institution. As we work with these non-profits to assist them with strategy; in procuring financial resources; developing, coaching, and mentoring leadership; or defining mission, vision and case; we interactRead More How To Aggravate Your Board In 4 Easy Steps
Let It Go!
I finally gave in! Over the holidays, I sat down to view Disney’s animated hit movie “Frozen” in the comfort and privacy of my own home. My youngest great-niece convinced me that it would be worth my time – and it was! In fact, I’ve watched it two other times since. For nearly a yearRead More Let It Go!
How To Conduct Effective Committee Meetings
“Our committee meetings seem to go on forever!” said the volunteer with whom I was meeting last week. “And all we do is hear reports – we never seem to deal with anything substantive.” Have you had similar comments from your Board members or volunteer committee members? There are many articles and books talking aboutRead More How To Conduct Effective Committee Meetings
The Case For Planned Giving
Research can be a powerful tool to help us work smarter. It’s a shame that we have so little of it in the world of philanthropy. Thus, it was a delight to see the work of Dr. Russell James III that provides a much-needed longitudinal perspective on planned giving in his book American Charitable BequestRead More The Case For Planned Giving
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”
Donor Recognition: A Look At The Perot Museum
Being in the fundraising profession, my travels always involve visiting museums and cultural institutions to see how they do things. A recent visit to Dallas included a splendid afternoon at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. A spectacular angular building rises from along the downtown expressway and draws interest with its living roof coveredRead More Donor Recognition: A Look At The Perot Museum
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
Guidelines For Board Members
An executive director was bemoaning the executive committee’s decision to develop guidelines for board engagement. He didn’t have to tell me that the board already had sufficient guidelines in its trusteeship letter of agreement. Typically, guidelines for board engagement are separate from policies governing conflict of interest, ethics, and matters of fiduciary responsibility. Board engagementRead More Guidelines For Board Members
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?
