Fundraising After the COVID 19
Yes, there will be life after COVID 19. Of that, I can guarantee it. What I can't guarantee is what life will look like. But, what I can guarantee is that life will look and feel different than it does today. Change is almost a constant…
What bushfires taught me about being a resilient nonprofit fundraiser
It was early December when I arrived at my location in Australia. The fires had been burning for several weeks and had been slowly chewing more and more bushland.
As the days rolled on, dark clouds of smoke became even more ominous, and…
How a capital campaign is nothing more than an Annual Fund on steroids
During coaching sessions, I often get asked from professionals in their fundraising positions, "How do I run a capital campaign?" My easy answer, "It's just like a big fundraising campaign on steroids." What do you mean? I learned a valuable…
How our fundraising expectations die a slow death to complacency
Just this week, I have spoken to two coaching clients about the stages of grieving after losing a job. Yes, there are actual stages of grieving that one must go through that follow Elizabeth Kubler Ross identified stages of grieving a death.…
How a major donor prospect fundraising meeting is like a nonprofit archeological dig
What should I say on my major donor visit?
It’s not a matter of what you should say; it is more of a question of what you should do.
To me, an initial major donor prospect meeting is more of an “archeological dig” or an “excavation.”
So…
Making a case for your state-funded organization's fundraising
When meeting with new clients, I often hear this exact same question, "But, our organization receives state and federal funds...how can we realistically make the case for our fundraising?" And, my answer is, "Even more so you can! It…
Ten steps to supercharge your nonprofit fundraising in the new decade
A new year and a new decade are quickly moving upon us. Is your organization ready to hit the ground running when the clock hits midnight on December 31? After what seems like months of preparation, and a rush headlong in the "Giving Season,"…
How a feasibility study can determine whether or not to invest in a fundraising program
Recently, I have received several inquiries from organizations who, for the first time, are seeking to start fundraising efforts. Many have subsisted on federal and state funds, finding ways to "cover" the expenses that the federal and state…
Making a case for your state-funded organization's fundraising
When meeting with new clients, I often hear this exact same question, "But, our organization receives state and federal funds...how can we realistically make the case for our fundraising?" And, my answer is, "Even more so you can! It…
How to Communicate during a Nonprofit Leadership Transition
This article originally appeared in Dennis Fischman's blog, Communicate, on July 29, 2019 I’m certain that many of you reading this have experienced a change in leadership at your nonprofit organization at one time or another. Someone reached…
How to reduce the frantic pace in your nonprofit fundraising workday
Just recently, I noticed as I was driving around that everyone seems to be frantic. Or, is it more frenetic? Folks weaving in and out, road rage, and overall cortisol on overload. In comparison, I just spent three months in Australia. And,…
The top six tips to avoid the "Hope and Pray" method of calendar-year end campaign planning
Often, I work with clients who don't adequately plan for their calendar year-end efforts. This lack of planning does a disservice to the organization for a couple of important reasons. One such reason is that calendar year-end efforts and…
