You “Serve”, But Do You “Give”?
By Katie MacKenzie, Project Coordinator There is a big trend happening in Student Affairs and on college campuses – Service Learning. Service learning offers students the opportunity to experience out-of-the-classroom learning while reflecting on what it means to give back to the community through service to others. My alma mater is huge on service learning.Read More You “Serve”, But Do You “Give”?
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
Endowment Compliance Audits
Institutions which raise funds for endowments need to be mindful of complying with the donor’s intentions long after the gift was made, and often after the fundraiser who closed the gift is gone from the institution. Although agreeing to a donor’s intentions seems to be a straightforward proposition when dealing with one donor and oneRead More Endowment Compliance Audits
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?
The Face of Philanthropy
A regular feature of the Chronicle of Philanthropy – usually about three pages in – is ‘The Face of Philanthropy,’ with a marvelous photograph effectively illustrating the impact of a not-for-profit program. Two faces came to mind the other day when I received an email about a fundraising event from Debbie Jeter, CEO and CofounderRead More The Face of Philanthropy
Preemptive Philanthropy
Preemptive philanthropy: Perhaps you’ve experienced something like this. The lead prospect for a major gift has been invited to a meeting. Following pleasantries and “small talk,” the board chair and the executive director begin sharing with the prospective donor their description of the organization’s plans for its capital campaign. They are just beginning to approachRead More Preemptive Philanthropy
VSE Survey – Giving To Higher Education In America
The annual Voluntary Support to Education (VSE) survey results were released recently, and the annual publication hit my desk this week. Finally, some good news for higher education: Contributions rose nine percent to $33.8 billion. “The total is the highest recorded in the history of the survey. In 2009, voluntary support fell from $31.6 billion,Read More VSE Survey – Giving To Higher Education In America
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
The Queen Speaks: Online Honor Rolls
My colleague John Taylor, despite his demurrers, is often called the guru of advancement services. When I asked him last year for some advice on exemplary stewardship programs he immediately recommended I talk with Lynne Wester, Director of Alumni Programs and Engagement at UNC Charlotte: “She’s the Queen of Stewardship.” High praise from a guru.Read More The Queen Speaks: Online Honor Rolls
