Now that your calendar year-end appeal has gone out in the mail, what is left to do? Well, if you take the “sit back and wait” approach you will be missing out for your organization. Here are some follow-up steps that you may want to consider taking to maximize your appeal effectiveness. Send out a […]
Often, groups wonder, on what should I focus most throughout my annual fund? Over the years, I have determined the most critical factors for ensuring that a development program is not only healthy but thriving. The health of a development program is determined by: Growth in revenues An organization should always be keeping its eye on […]
Often, we get so caught up with the small event details at special events that we forget to think long-term. Just this week at a conference that I spoke at, I was asked, “How do I collect all the names of people who are attending my special event?” While the group had many suggestions, I recommended […]
While wealth screening is an essential tool for fundraisers of today, I still hold true to augmenting a screening with the old “tried and true” Prospect Rating and Ranking Session. What is a Rating and Ranking Session and how would you hold one? Rating and Ranking Sessions were commonly held to prioritize donor lists after doing […]
Quite plainly, one thing that is known for sure is that donors appreciate the fact that you get their name spelled correctly, especially when you are thanking them for past giving. When it comes time to thank them in your Annual Report or Impact Report, as I prefer to call it, how do you best do […]
When you have been presented with a fundraising goal, the best next step is to determine the feasibility of that goal. One of the most challenging tasks is setting out to accomplish a fundraising goal without knowing whether or not you have the capacity to meet it. Doing so without adequate research can even be disastrous, especially in […]
Engage your Board in your calendar year-end fundraising campaign When running your next year-end campaign, it is essential that your Board sends a loud, clear message to its constituents that it supports the organization’s mission. The Board is often the least likely group of constituents that is singled out for focused attention and solicitation within year-end […]
Often, executive directors wonder, “what should I be looking for in a development candidate.” And, my answer is, it depends. Development directors last an average of 16 months in their positions, it behooves management to do their diligence before they even hire a chief fundraiser. Where does one even begin? Well, it starts even before you get […]
Ever wonder the best way to approach your foundation research? Not sure where to begin or what tools to use? Don’t want to have to do research over and over again each year? Do you have changing priorities that need constant research? Create an “evergreen” grants management system. Here is the approach that I recommend […]
Ever wonder as to what is the best course to take with your fundraising strategy? Let’s say that you have been given a challenge match by a donor or you have a fundraising goal that the Board has given to you to raise. The question becomes not how can you meet that goal but whether or not you can […]
It is very tempting to take some time off between fundraising jobs to just rest and relax. Fundraising is difficult and demanding work, and there is a need for a recharge. However, this is exactly the time that you should be planning for your next position. Below I share ways that you can use your pre-start […]
Technical skill or personality, which is most important when hiring a new Director of Development? That is a great question. And, while both would be ideal, that is not always a guarantee. So, what do you look for in this case? While just about anyone can have the skill set of a fundraiser, not everyone […]
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