A season of burnout?
I have worked in the nonprofit world far longer than I can remember. My job began in the sector back in 1992 or so, when I became a grant writing intern for a local non-profit organization as part of my undergraduate work.Little did I realize…
Do not take Fund Development best practices at face value!
Best practices. We hear that phrase often. This week, I even read a question asking if "best practices were misleading?"Are we throwing that phrase around to legitimize our field? Our do we have best practices and what are they?Well, I contend…
Yep, the Board does have a role in a capital campaign!
What, wait, we hired that Capital Campaign Consultant to run the campaign, and now you are telling me that I have to do something. No, this can't be possible.Yep! It would be unrealistic to think that a capital campaign is left up to…
Sink or swim: the capital campaign steering committee
So, I have a niche somewhat of assisting smaller nonprofits with their capital campaigns.This niche can be challenging because many of these groups have not had an ongoing, comprehensive fund development program in the past. However, working…
OORAH – What the Marines taught me about fundraising
This weekend I took a little vacation of sorts. I ran a marathon. The Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC. Running a marathon is exhausting, but also, reflective. For you see, you run for 26 miles. That is a long time on your feet…
“Am I asking my donors too much?” Well, Virginia let me tell you the answer.
So, here it is. I am laying this question and answer right out on the line. Especially now that we are coming to the year-end giving season.I am asked time and time again, "Didn't we just mail to them, won't we be bothering them?"No, no,…
Holy cow, fifty shades of fundraising consulting, which do you prefer?
Lately, I have been doing a lot of driving. And, as a result, a lot of thinking. I have clients all throughout the Northeast. And, sometimes, yes, the driving does get "old." But, then I sit back and reflect.You see, there are many…
Culture of place and how it impacts fundraising campaigns
There is so much science behind fund development. You can study it, take courses in it, and read books on it. Campaigns have become honed regarding best practices; there are easy steps to put into place, materials to be created, and people to…
Meetings – are you positioned right?
Meetings, meetings, meetings. We all know them, and we all attend them.here are three types of meetings and the way that you position yourself physically within the meeting could make a world of difference. Including meeting with our donors.But,…
The “too busy” fundraiser!
"I don't have the time!"Development professionals probably have one of the most demanding jobs in an organization. There are so many expectations, and the work is full of deadlines that need we need to meet.We work long hours on grant proposals,…
The intersection between mission and mergers
There always comes the point in an organization when the natural order of things is change. Whether that change is an executive transition, upheaval in the Board of Directors, or even things greater than that. Things such as what should…
Are all your fundraising systems in line?
Interestingly enough, I met with a wonderful and highly intelligent gentleman this past week. As we were eating lunch, we started talking about systems thinking. It reminded me of a mentor who once said that we needed to be reading people like…
