A Gift Decades in the Making
In this age of instant everything, 24-7-365, life in the nano lane, it’s good to be reminded that some things take time.
Rules of Solicitation: The Script
After only 10 minutes into the conversation, the prospect said, “I am satisfied that you have met all the requirements for fundraising success that I requested several months ago. I’m ready to sign and pledge $2 million dollars to this effort.” The two solicitors looked at each other in disbelief. Carefully scripted, they were preparedRead More Rules of Solicitation: The Script
The Importance of your Website Design
By Jarrad Howard, Campaign Strategy Study Coordinator Many times, your organization’s website is what makes your first impression. More and more, donors are going to websites before ever having spoken to anyone, which means your website is the most prolific representation you have. It also acts as a business card – a quick and efficientRead More The Importance of your Website Design
Now or Later: Helping Your Board Members
During my college days, I was a master of procrastination when it came to writing papers. There’s nothing like a deadline to get the “creative juices” flowing, to heighten focus and to ramp up stress!! For the most part, I’ve tried to gain better time management skills the older I’ve become. But I still failRead More Now or Later: Helping Your Board Members
Learning the Language
By Mark Belcher, Partner After more than 20 years of working in and with various types of development organizations – higher ed, research, hospitals, etc. – one thing I have come to appreciate is that there is more often than not a considerable gap translating our work into the language of business operations. As is alsoRead More Learning the Language
Proper Stewardship: It’s More Than A “Thank You!”
By Katie MacKenzie, Project Coordinator Stewardship. In the development world we’ve all heard of it, we all discuss it, and we all agree it is important. However, so often I see some of the clients with which I work think that a simple Thank You note is just that, a simple note. While I don’tRead More Proper Stewardship: It’s More Than A “Thank You!”
Engaging In Social Media Platforms
Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, WordPress, YouTube, Tumblr… the list goes on. Social media is taking over the internet and how we communicate with one another. If your organization doesn’t have a social media presence you might as well live in the Stone Age. But what does your social media platform do for your giving? ItRead More Engaging In Social Media Platforms
Don’t Treat Your Board Chair And Campaign Chair Like This!
A previous blog offered suggestions on how to aggravate your board in four easy steps. Following up on that post, I’ve received suggestions on how to not only tick off your board chair but your campaign chair as well. Some of these came from chairs that we have worked with throughout the years. It broughtRead More Don’t Treat Your Board Chair And Campaign Chair Like This!
Donor Advised Funds
The website Inside Philanthropy had a provocative blog recently from a nonprofit management consultant named Alan Cantor. Cantor argues that the triple-digit growth in donor advised funds (DAFs in the lingo of the field) is actually hurting charities. Simply put, a DAF is a charitable fund that an individual donor can establish at an investmentRead More Donor Advised Funds
Start Thinking About Your Prospects
By Mark Belcher, Partner I’m sure you read the title and thought to yourself, “That’s all I do!” In today’s environment of increasing competition for funding, I’ve been thinking about the constituency beyond Alumni, donors, foundations and corporations and would encourage you to do the same. Many times we leave important dollars on the tableRead More Start Thinking About Your Prospects
