The greatest opportunity: a summons for more in our not-for-profits
The Pandemic has been a great global summons. A call. In the middle of the night to awake. To something new. What are you talking about? Yes, it has. I know, I know. You are probably saying it has been a grand inconvenience, even a…
Fundraising After 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…
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…
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…
What one thing can make or break the success of YOUR organization?
The Board. It can make or break your organization. If assembled and organized correctly, it can chart a successful future that prospers and preserves inspiration and creativity of its members and benefactors alike. If not, well...insert…
Raising more money from your current loyal donors through repeat and best-ever gifts
What happens when you don't invest in donor acquisition? Well, your organization will face a declining donor base with the need to raise more money from fewer donors. With about 10% of donor bases naturally declining each year, the focus…
How to craft an effective and impactful plan for your next fundraising fiscal year
For many, as the calendars switch to spring, our organizations begin their budget planning season in preparation of a new fiscal year. As a result, development departments are often hard-pressed to come up budget sometimes right in the middle…
How to take care of yourself as a busy nonprofit fundraising professional
It all happens to us. Time silently ticks away, and deadlines loom. And, then, BAM, out of the blue, a crisis occurs with a client, or some other proverbial "fire" starts burning. Perhaps it is a last-minute grant deadline suddenly arises,…
How to keep your small shop fundraising focus on your major donor work
After having served most of my career as a Director of Development in a small organization, I understand the realities of trying to handle all of the major tasks and responsibilities that come up daily; plus the fires that seem to endlessly…
Analyzing your calendar year-end fundraising efforts for effectiveness
Many groups end the year and then move onto their next project starting January 1.
While forward-thinking and acting is important, it is also equally as critical to do some analysis of the past year; calendar year-end, particularly, since…
We're growing our interim fundraising division to help YOU reach your possibility.
Let me share a story with you... A few years back when I first started consulting, I provided organizations like yourself with strategic fund development audits and assessments and then crafted finely honed plans. What I thought were roadmaps…
