Not sure about your experiences with capital campaigns but they are highly technical with lots of moving pieces. Oftentimes, groups want to skimp on the planning stages. For instance, they want to jump right into campaign mode without doing a feasibility study. They want to move right into opening up rolodexes without having a […]
Just because your not a large fundraising shop, doesn’t mean that you can’t raise major gifts like the “big boys.” I assert that you can and even better! And, I even offer a free e-course on how to do it… One of the first things that small shops must do to ensure their success is […]
Capital campaigns have become in fashion lately. Perhaps it is the recovering economy or perhaps it is something quite else. But, whatever it is, I now have two potential campaigns lined up for this next year. What is a capital campaign? Well you know, a campaign to build a building right? Well, yes and no. […]
Strategic planning, marketing, and fundraising are processes with specific steps. All three used to be performed independently of the other. Today, their integration into a single process is exemplified by the following principles that all fundraising flows from strategic planning and that all strategic planning should be done with a resource development orientation. Strategic planning […]
So you ask…now that the planning is over now what do we do with the plan? It is time to package it up! Once the initial goals and objectives are drafted and approved by the planning team and board of directors, the organization needs to look at the two main audiences both internally and externally […]
So often I have heard this one line uttered…”But I give of my time and that is my gift!” Yes and no. As a Board of Director, you are expected to give of your time. You are a volunteer. You have fiduciary responsibilities that you are not usually paid for. And folks contrary to what […]
As a consultant, I get asked this question all the time. How do I find new donors for my fundraising efforts? Well, let me offer a few easy and cost-effective steps that don’t require you to purchase or rent costly donor lists for your fund development program: 1. At every single board meeting and at […]
A little early you might say but… Not really because if you are not hearing sleigh bells ringing then you might already be behind the eight ball in your development office. Santa is getting his sleigh ready and so should you be. Now is the time to be preparing for calendar-year end fund development. If […]
I raised $85,000 for an organizations in 7 months. How? Grant writing! I bet you didn’t know that was a skill set of DCS, oh but it is! In the past 7 months that I have worked with an elder care facility, I have been busy raising money through grants. In fact, lots of money. […]
In need of some “moves management” suggestions for your donors? Try some of these out: Follow up a thank-you call to a donor with a video or photos of your mission in action. Post videos of your mission in action on Facebook, and ask your donors to share and like it. Provide donors with meaningful […]
It has been almost ten years since I moved into my home. At times, I just can’t believe that it has been THAT long. Where does time go? I do know this, when I moved into my new home it was a monumental thing. I had neighbors knocking at the door, welcoming me, introducing themselves, […]
Why the P.S. in a direct mail appeal letter? Asked the Executive Director… And I say because it works! Direct mail appeal letter writing is not your average writing and there just happens to be a technical science behind it. For one, think about what happens when you read a letter that has a P.S. […]
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