Don’t Say No To The Dough: Gift Lessons
Last month The Washington Post reported that 50 leading Roman Catholics in higher education signed a letter protesting a $1-million gift that will enable the Catholic University of America’s School of Business and Economics to hire four visiting scholars to do research on “principled entrepreneurship.” They argued that the gift sends “a confusing message” becauseRead More Don’t Say No To The Dough: Gift Lessons
2014 Resolution: Database Segmentation
Our friends at Blackbaud put together a nice, insightful e-newsletter last year to get us thinking about what we need to focus on in the New Year. It’s called Utilize Your Year-end Momentum: Kickstart 2013 Fundraising. This year, the guide still rings true for your 2014 fundraising, so take a look and see where youRead More 2014 Resolution: Database Segmentation
Nobody Wants to Fund Endowment?
I was sitting around the table with a group of campaign volunteers, who were also significant donors. We were discussing the organization’s proposed capital campaign elements and one of them said, “We need to reduce this endowment part, nobody wants to give to endowment anymore.” To my surprise, everyone else at the table agreed withRead More Nobody Wants to Fund Endowment?
Tis the Season of Giving Thanks
I don’t know about you, but it seems to me like the holiday season began back in September this year. There were ornaments on sale before my Labor Day leftovers were gone, the halls were decked before Halloween arrived, and the traffic around Lenox and Phipps has been gridlocked since October. Also of note, I’veRead More Tis the Season of Giving Thanks
The Power of “For”
I was at an educational session recently where the topic was nonprofit financing. It was a robust discussion about the use of capital, creation of endowments, financing growth, etc. The primary focus of the speaker was on the area of “growth capital” and the idea that, perhaps, too much of the equity in the nonprofitRead More The Power of “For”
A Little Bit About Your Nonprofit Board
There is nothing more important to the health of a nonprofit than a quality Board of Trustees. It is the Board that sets your mission, chooses and provides leadership and provides resources in order to implement the mission. Often times, as consultants, we are asked about Board composition, size, wealth and responsibilities. I try toRead More A Little Bit About Your Nonprofit Board
Confessions of a Raiser’s Edge Geek
I have a confession to make. I am a Raiser’s Edge (RE) geek. Those who know me say they could always see it, but it took me some time to accept. I now embrace my inner geek. The one place in the world where an RE geek feels fully accepted is at the Blackbaud ConferenceRead More Confessions of a Raiser’s Edge Geek
Good or Best…Which is the Enemy?
Good or best . . . which is the enemy? Sometimes a great deal of truth can be found in simple phrases. And, then again, sometimes the truth can be found when the phrases are modified. So, for example, how many times have we heard, “If it’s not broken, don’t mess with it?” Focus onRead More Good or Best…Which is the Enemy?
What Do You Have About Me In Your Database?
I was at a meeting recently when I was approached by a volunteer who asked me a question. The exchange went like this: Volunteer: “What information from your database have you shared with XYZ Org?” Me: “What database?” Volunteer: “The database at the firm.” Me: “We don’t have a database with information about you atRead More What Do You Have About Me In Your Database?
6 Solicitation Statements That Should Never Have Been Uttered
But unfortunately, they were. Be sure to avoid solicitation statements like these, or you’ll end up with nothing! 1. I’m so very, very sorry to call you about the annual giving campaign for Upper Crust High. Many years back I volunteered to assist my children’s school with their parent phonathon. Much to my surprise, theRead More 6 Solicitation Statements That Should Never Have Been Uttered
