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How to raise more money this Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday, the Global Day of Philanthropy is on Tuesday, November 28.  The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is partnering with Facebook again this year to provide a  match up to $2 million to donors who give during that day.

Here are the specifics of this match:

Donations made to participating nonprofit organizations through Facebook’s charitable giving tools beginning at 8:00 am EST on November 28 will be matched — up to $50,000 per nonprofit, or $1,000 per fundraiser or donate button — until the matching funds run out. Facebook and the Gates Foundation are contributing $1 million each for the campaign, and all matched funds will be paid out to nonprofits through Network for Good’s donor-advised fund.

So, what can your organization do to prepare?

Here are some simple steps that I have been recommending to nonprofits to take advantage of this match:

1 – Determine what your Giving Tuesday monetary and non-monetary goals are.  How much do you want to raise?  How many new donors do you want to attract?

2 – Ensure that you have activated your Facebook “Donate” button first and foremost.  Ensure that you are using Facebook’s full scope of charitable giving tools. Otherwise, you will not be eligible for the match.  You also want to ensure that your pages are branded so that folks can recognize the Giving Tuesday campaign.

3 – Ensure that your website and online donation portal are up-to-speed and ready to go.  Make sure that you rigorously test them.  Your website and donation portal should be easy for a donor to use and navigate.  Donating should not be difficult.

4 – If you have work to do on your donor lists, now is the time.  Make sure that they all get uploaded into your Donor Management System, particularly your email addresses.

5 – Draft your social media and email messaging now.  You will want to announce this match opportunity in advance as well as send out reminders the day before, the day of, and an acknowledgement the day after.  Use key days such as “Black Friday” as messaging points.  Be sure to use photos, videos, and testimonials.  Consider integrating into your current calendar year-end campaign.

6 – Be sure to recruit ambassadors as social media messengers for your cause during this campaign.  You may want to enlist your Board, staff, and volunteers to help spread the word about your GIving Tuesday by sharing your social media messages with their family and friends.  If you are using Peer-to-Peer Fundraising, then get your folks set-up and engaged in advance of the actual day.

7 – Develop a plan to steward these Giving Tuesday donors once Giving Tuesday is complete, and you begin marching into December.

These are some simple steps that you can take to begin to plan for your Giving Tuesday campaign.

Now, I want to hear from you.  What steps is organization taking to prepare for this day of giving?

Post your thoughts in the comments below.

 

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How to re-engage lapsed donors in your organization

A lapsed donor is one who has lapsed from giving at least a calendar year.  They are the most significant donors to focus your efforts on re-engaging since they have already demonstrated an interest in your organization.

There are several ways to re-engage these lapsed donors.  Here are some suggestions that you can implement within your organization.

  1. Identify those donors who gave last year and yet have to donate this year.  Those are your lapsed donors.
  2. Add up the total giving from these lapsed donors.  Surely after seeing this number, you will want to spend some time trying to recapture them.
  3. Segment out the major donors from this list.  A major donor giving level will vary from organization to organization i.e. $250, $500, $1,000, or even more.
  4. Share this list with your Development Committee of the Board and discuss the plan of action.
  5. Have Board members identify those major donors that they can personally call on.
  6. Intend to call on these donors either through personal visits or telephone to secure a gift commitment.
  7. Plan to send a specialized segmented direct mail letter to all others not identified as major donors.

You could also use this same strategy for each appeal that you send out to be proactively trying to prevent lapsing from occurring in the first place.

For more a strategy on how to do this, visit this link here.  And, for a sample copy of a lapsing donor direct mail appeal letter, email me here.

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How to engage your Board in fundraising before the ask or the thank you call.

Just this week, I was working with a client, and we were discussing Board member engagement in fund development. The assumption was, ho hum, “they just won’t participate.”  It was then that I came across a blog article outlining all of the wonderful ways that you can engage your Board in fundraising.  You know things like, make thank you calls, write notecards, etc., etc., etc.

To be honest, we have heard these over and over again.  The reality is that even though you can talk about all the different ways that Board members can participate in the process of raising philanthropic dollars, it still doesn’t cause engagement.

So, my client and I stepped back and bit and talked about how some successful organizations ARE engaging their Boards in fundraising.  And, what we noticed is that with very successful organizations, it all begins with how you recruit, screen, and bring on new Board members to your organization. And, here based on that evaluation are some simple steps that you can take to revolutionize your Board engagement.

Here is what I recommend:

  • As a fundraiser, become a member of the Board nominating or preferably governance committee, if not already a member.  And, as an executive, advocate for your fundraiser’s participation on this important committee.  It all starts here.
  • Develop a formally written and adopted Board recruitment process and procedure.
  • One you have identified an appropriate Board member candidate, schedule a screening interview. (Yes, a screening interview!  Why would you not screen for one of the most important jobs in your organization?)
  • Send the prospective candidate information in advance i.e. things like your brochure, a list of volunteer opportunities, committee listings, relevant Board policies, etc., etc.
  • At the interview, first, review the process and purpose of the meeting i.e. “getting-to-know” each other interview.
  • Then review with the candidate the organization’s values, mission, and services seeking alignment.  If the candidate does not align with those core elements of your organization’s identity that is a “red flag.”
  • Share with the candidate the major issues facing the organization both opportunities and challenges.
  • Share with the candidate the different ways that the organization uses volunteers i.e. committees, policies, meeting schedule, etc., etc.
  • Review skills, experiences, diversity, and network needs that the organization has identified.  Discuss with the candidate which of these they desire using on behalf of the organization. Seek alignment.
  • Review Board member responsibilities and expectation, particularly around fund development seeking commitment to them
  • Close the meeting but don’t make any decisions yet.
  • Bring all of this information back to the nominating/governance committee to discuss and make recommendations.  Remember the fundraiser must sit on this committee.
  • Once the candidate is voted on and accepted, bring them on and into an orientation process reviewing the organization’s values, mission, services, and goals.  At this time, provide training on a “Culture of Philanthropy” and further reiterate the Board expectations around engagement in development.
  • Have all Board members sign a Board Member Contract agreeing to uphold this commitment regarding responsibilities and expectation and develop a Board Fund Development Expectation Form that the Board member must sign and date indicating how exactly what they explicitly commit to upholding.  Email me for a sample Board Fund Development Expectation Form.
  • Board Chair reviews Board member’s performance throughout the year to ensure performance meets expectations and outlined contract. If the Board member’s performance does not meet expectations, the Board Chair MUST “thank and release” the Board member.  Yes, this MUST happen for the whole process to maintain its credence. You must “thank and attrition” poor performers.

The key to Board engagement is truly about setting and managing Board member’s expectations BEFORE they even join your Board of Directors. This way, they know right up front what is expected of them as they perform their role.  What I often hear from client’s Board members, is that “I had no idea that was what I was supposed to be doing.”  So, out of fear of the unknown, Board members are hesitant about ever committing to fund development because the importance has never been relayed to them, training never provided, and the expectations never set.

So, while all these great articles can espouse how to engage your Board members in making telephone calls and writing note cards, you can’t even hope for them to begin to participate in your fundraising efforts if they are unsure of what you expect from them.  This engagement all starts before they officially come onboard.

Follow the above recommended “How To’s” and watch your Board member engagement in fundraising and your organization soar!

And, if you need help creating a custom Board Recruitment Process, let us help you! Email me today to schedule an hour to get your Board engagement in shape!

 

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How to turn your fundraising event attendees into supportive donors

Spring is the season of Galas or so it seems.

And, rightly so, the weather is turning warmer and everyone’s thoughts seem to be on getting out after a long winter.

I am often asked by organizations who are holding galas or other fundraising events, what is the key to turning event attendees into loyal donors?

I do have to say that this is not an easy feat in and of itself.  Most folks who attend a fundraising event are doing so because they have either been invited, they are attending because it is a social night out, or for a host of other reasons that are not necessarily about a measure of donor commitment or loyalty.

I believe that there are a number of things that you can do to stimulate interest both pre, during, and post-event to at least begin to develop a relationship with some donors who may be interested in supporting your charity in a more transformative way.

I will outline several steps below that you can take to steward your event attendees after the event.

Here is a possible post-event stewardship plan:

New attendees – Call preferred for all by Board member with a relationship or other assigned designee.  Mention donation made, how the money will be used, and learn about their possible interest in the organization.

Repeat attendees that did NOT donate – Handwritten note by Board member with a relationship or Executive Director.  Thank for continued support of the event and ask about their interest in learning more about the organization.

Repeat attendees that did donate – Call if a relationship or donated more than $1,000, note for everyone else.  Mention donation made, how the money will be used, and learn about their possible interest in the organization.

Donated but did not attend – Call if a relationship or if donated more than $1,000.  Mention success of the event and how the money donated will be used.  Ask about their interest in learning more about the organization.

People who donated significant auction items – Personal call by the person with a relationship and letter of acknowledgment.  Executive Director and/or Board Chair may send a note as well.  Mention how the money will be used and ask about their interest in learning more about the organization.

While you don’t have to follow this post-event stewardship plan to an exact science, the one thing that you need to do is to have already developed your post-event stewardship plan before the event even happens so that immediately after the event, you can put this plan into action.

Think expansively and creatively about how you can recognize your donors.  But, the important part is to put some thought in it, to begin with.

Key things to think about:

  • Who?  To what categories of event attendees?  For instance, Silent auction and raffle donors? First-time attendees, etc.  And, who will be doing the follow-up?  Board members with relationships, staff with relationships, etc.
  • What?  What vehicle will you use to steward your donors?  Will it be a hand-written note, a telephone call, or a visit, etc?  Will you use e-mail and social media?  And, how?  What is the message?  What do you intend to share with them?
  • When?  When will this stewardship take place?  Immediately after the event?  A week or so later?
  • Other follow-up and planned engagement?  What planned follow-up after the initial engagement will you schedule in?

The key piece again, please do not wait until it is too late.  Think through your post-event stewardship plan, seek buy-in and ownership from the Board, and be ready to implement fairly soon after your event concludes.

While these are some of the hardest folks to take from transactional to transformative, it can be done with a bit of thoughtful planning and strategy.

Don’t let your event, just be an event. Use it as a way to cultivate potential new donors who may be interested in who you are and what you do.

And, if you need help creating a custom post-event stewardship plan, let us help you!  Email me today to schedule an hour to get your event stewardship plan in shape!v

 

 

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How to create a quick and easy fundraising plan to help you reach your goals

So, maybe you have been operating without a plan up until now.  And, that is ok, but it is not strategic, and to meet your goals, you need to have a plan that you follow, monitor, and correct if needed.

Here are some simple instructions on how you can quickly create a development plan if you have been operating without one.

  1.  Develop a gift table.  A gift table outlines the number of gifts needed for you to reach your fundraising goals.  And, yes, even small fundraising goals should have a gift table created.  So, for instance, if you have a goal of $50,000, you would need a top gift of $12,500.  I have another article on how to use a gift chart to guide your fundraising effort.
  2. Once you have your gift chart created, it will guide your strategies.  Take that gift table and think about how you are going to raise your top gifts.
  3. Then break out all the possible fundraising strategies into key categories.  Those key categories may be major donors, individual donors, Board giving, special events, corporation and businesses, private grants, government grants, and earned revenue.
  4. Plan on how many you are going to solicit from each category and how i.e. individual donors you may send out a lapsed donor appeal, an annual renewal appeal, and perhaps a prospective donors appeal using direct mail appeal and maybe phone follow-up.  Your complete mail out will be close to 1,000.  You can even go a step further and calculate the average gift amount if you are able.
  5. From the numbers that you will be soliciting and the calculated average gift amount determine what your estimated income will be.  Know or have any expenses, calculate those and subtract them from your expected income, and you have a net income number.
  6. Then the last key element of this plan is to determine when you will complete each strategy by and who is responsible for the strategy i.e. development staff, executive direct, Board of Directors, etc.
  7. Then implement your plan. But, most importantly use this plan as a monthly monitoring tool.  Share it at your Management Staff meetings and with your Development Committee or the Board of Directors.  If it appears as if you are “off” on projections, make mid-course corrections and adjust your budget.
  8. But, don’t let this sit on a shelf.  Get it in action.

You may want to consider putting all of the key plan information in a spreadsheet to have it all in one place.  Or you can use a Word document table.  Whatever format you use, start with the gift table, develop the plan, keep this plan in a prominent place, share it and monitor it, and make mid-course corrections.

You can’t operate successfully without a plan in place to drive and focus your effort

Then you will be on your way to reaching your yearly fundraising goals.

And, if you need help creating this development plan, let us help you!  Email me today to schedule an hour to get your development plan in shape!

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What’s next after your capital campaign feasibility study?

So, your consultant has just finished your capital campaign feasibility study.  The report is sitting on your desk, and you are wondering, where do I go from here?

Here are some possibilities:

The report may recommend that the organization takes some time to prepare its fundraising infrastructure before going into full campaign mode. Preparation may include things such as strengthening volunteer leadership, identifying campaign chairs, enhancing their fund development office, etc.  The organization should take the time to heed these recommendations and work either internally or with the/a consultant to strengthen some of the key identified areas before mounting a full capital campaign effort.

In some cases, the report may recommend that the organization move into full capital campaign mode.  In that case, the agency should seek to hire outside counsel either the firm that conducted the feasibility study process or another fundraising firm specializing in capital campaign management.

This report should be presented to the Feasibility Study Committee for review and once accepted by this committee; the committee should then give the report to the organization’s full Board of Directors for approval.  Once the Board approves, it should move to act on the recommendation found in the study.

In no shape or form, should this study be allowed to slip away or be placed on a shelf somewhere.  Time for action is now.  You do not want to lose the interest of donors and other key community members who have been part of the process and in some senses cultivated for a capital campaign effort.

In fact, the organization should share an abbreviated format of the study with these key donors and community members, and seek their opinions and possible engagement in the findings and campaign next steps.  The worst thing that can happen is that momentum is built through the study process and then grinds to a halt.

Accept the report, begin recommendation implementation, and engage key stakeholders throughout the process.

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Donor cultivation and stewardship – it’s all unique and one-of-a-kind!

I often get asked from my clients, how many touchpoints do you need to give to a donor at a certain level?

And, my answer – it varies.

There is some science to the whole matter.  In fact, after I conduct a rating and ranking session, I will combine all of the numbers and come up with a formulaic cultivation quotient.  The number of touches estimated for a particular donor’s rating score and ranking.

To me, that is a guide.  What we must remember is that each donor is an individual.  They have different motivations for giving, different ways that they would like to be recognized, and different things that they are interested in giving to support. And, that means that they all have different cultivation and stewardship needs as well.  So, while I could say that the cultivation quotient for Mrs. Smith came out to 20 touches per year, she may not want to be contacted or that involved with the organization.

I advocate that each necessitates a thorough review and a particular strategy custom and unique for them.  And, often, it takes a wise fundraiser who has been in conversation with the donor to recognize what is or is not important to them.

Now, I am not advocating that we throw the “moves management” system of relationship-building out.  However, what I am recommending instead is that we seriously advocate instead for a very donor-centered process that takes in the uniqueness of each donor into the “moves management” equation when developing strategies for cultivation and stewardship.  Let’s not reduce our donors down to formulas, quotients, or tactics.  They are people – unique and compassionate!

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More than just a monetary number – the capital campaign feasibility study

There are quite a number of groups seeking to test the feasibility of a possible capital campaign.

And, so naturally being a consulting firm catering to small fundraising shops, I tend to get asked to talk about these, and I am currently in the midst of one now.

What I find is that groups think that feasibility studies only test for one thing and that one thing is a financial goal.

I assert that there are many different types of things that a feasibility study tests for as a result.  Financial goals being just one.  In fact, more importantly, feasibility studies look at both internal and external perceptions and find areas of opportunities and challenges for an upcoming campaign.  Things such as “what about that large endowment the organization has?”  or “it doesn’t have strong fundraising leadership?” or “you need to ensure that so and so is on board and committed to launching a full-scale effort.”

Through a feasibility study, a group also finds out about potential campaign leadership, which by the way, can make or break a proposed capital campaign, other competing campaigns currently or just recently completed within the same community, and potential prospective donors to a capital campaign.  Also, a capital campaign feasibility study will unearth the general economic outlook both nationally and locally and how will that impact the success of a capital campaign.

So, as you can see, a feasibility study done correctly will provide lots of data that can then be used to refine the case for support, determine if it is time for the organization to mount a significant campaign, and what is the recommend campaign plan based upon findings as part of the study.  Oh, yes, and what fundraising goal will be feasible.

If you or your group is considering an upcoming capital campaign, I urge you NOT to skimp on the process of conducting a feasibility study.  You will learn more than just – can this campaign make a go of it.  You will find out exactly how much and how it can or cannot!

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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?Fundraising best practices

Well, I contend that the only true best practice is one that is grounded in research. Those are harder to find that than the other so-called “best practices.”

While studying for my Masters Degree in Philanthropy and Fund Development, I learned that philanthropic research has many gaps. However, there are people now making a study of philanthropy and conducting research. Folks like Adrian Sargeant and Jen Shang. More research is needed in our field to support our work.

I can tell you that when research is grounded in actual studies, it works. Eye motion studies, philanthropic psychology, etc., etc.

Recently, I have been working on many appeal letters. And, each time I craft one for the client, I get pushback. Why do you indent paragraphs? Why do you repeat yourself often? Why is there bold and underline? Do we need to include a P.S.? And, can’t the letter just fit on one page? Must we send more than one appeal?

Pushback that is unfounded. And, I push back with research. When the client allows me to use those best practices, the results speak for themselves.

When those results speak for themselves, it is magic. Campaigns get funded, new projects begin, and donors have the opportunity to make a greater impact.

We forget that the fact (and it is a fact) that we are not beggars. Donors want to give. And, to give, they must be asked. Asked in a way that moves them to feel connected to their core beliefs through your organization’s mission.

Know the difference between unfounded best practices and best practices backed by scientific research. Read blogs, stay current with trends, and keep furthering your informal and formal education. When you do, and you practice it, your results will show all the difference.

Fund development does have a researched body of knowledge. Don’t allow anyone to convince you that it does not.

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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 the staff to manage.  How could they?  The staff doesn’t have access to donors and to peer networks?  A campaign is not a one, or two, or even three person job.  It is even more unrealistic to think that now the capital campaign consultant is in town, no one
needs to do anything period.

So, I know you’re shaking in fear that you might have to ask for money.  Well, yes, you may.  But, that is not your only role in a capital campaign.

When running a capital campaign, I meet with each of my campaign’s Board of Directors and review the Campaign Plan, goal, schedule, gift chart, and Case for Support.  I insist that they vote to approve these primary campaign documents.

And, I also share with them a Board commitment form that I have each and every one of them sign and date.

Board members have many responsibilities to a campaign. Below is my top ten list of capital campaign responsibilities and what I expect them to commit to:

  1. Not taking on any major new volunteer roles for other organizations and consider how to pare down current obligations and be accessible to the campaign.
  2. Review their philanthropic planning for the next year and perhaps beyond, as well as their calendars for those years.
  3. Consider what role they could and would like to play in the campaign. Every board member will be responsible for some part of the campaign and will be engaged in identifying and enlisting campaign committee members.
  4. Review their list of contacts – friends, neighbors, business associates – and carefully consider which of them may be interested in learning more about the organization.
  5. Review and approve the capital campaign plan as recommended by the capital campaign planning committee.
  6. Make a “stretch” gift to the campaign. 
Board members will all support the Annual Fund campaign each year in addition to supporting the capital campaign. All board members will participate financially in the campaign – to the best of their ability. The board will be the first to give. 
It is essential that other donors see 100% percent participation of the board.  It shows them that the board has the utmost faith, confidence, and enthusiasm for the organization.
  7. Ensure that contribution are used well and according to donor intent.
  8. Read all materials given to them by the organization and the campaign. Members of the community – donors, clients, friends, neighbors, etc. – will turn to the members of the board for guidance and information.
  9. Be an advocate for the organization, to the best of their ability, in the local and the wider community. Help expand the organization’s influence and exposure throughout the community by:

o   Securing the sponsorship of a community group to support the campaign.

o   Recruiting a speaker, host, or sponsor for a special event.

o   Arranging tours of the organization for interested individuals, corporations, foundations or others.

o   Hosting an event at their home, place of business or community organization.

o   Endorsing a solicitation made by the campaign leaders, either by phone or by letter.

o   Setting aside at least 20-30 minutes weekly to plan how to help the organization’s campaign.

o   Thanking donors and staying in touch keeping them informed of the project plans.

o   Evaluating the success of the campaign to determine strengths, areas of improvement and effectiveness of board policies and decisions.

 

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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 – sometimes, three, four, five, six, or even more hours.

Over the course over the weekend, there were approximately 3,000 marines – some of our countries finest armed service men and women.  And, as I reflected on my experience, I was reminded of how important it is to take care of our donors.  You see, the Marines took care of me while I was runMarine Corps Marathon and Fundraisingning.

They were there to welcome me when I arrived – how often do we welcome donors for their first gifts to us or even their second or third?

They directed me through the maze of marathon logistics – how often do we try to make our experience of being a donor easy for our donors?  Do we point them in the right direction?  Do we connect them with aspects of the charity that they care deeply?

And, then when I was running, those Marines were out there cheering me on as if I were the hero – how often do we cheer on our donors in their act of giving?  How often do we make them feel like the superheroes that they are?

When the going got tough, they were there for me, telling me that I could do – when things get tough for our donors, are we still behind them cheering for them?  Perhaps they can’t give us as much, do we abandon them as people?  Or do we still treat them the same, cultivating the relationship?

And, at the end of it all – they placed the medal on me and made me feel accomplished – “Congratulations, Maam” – do we treat our donors like they are the real heroes, even though we are doing the actual work?

Interesting questions.  I was awed and inspired by this display of honor at the marathon.  The Marine’s know how to put on a good race.  And, they also know a lot more about how to treat people.  There are lessons learned here on how we should go about treating our donors.

Giving is MORE like a marathon than a sprint.  It is about cultivating relationships with our donors over weeks, months, years – just like a marathon is about training for days, weeks, months, and years.

So, go out and run the race.  And, even though it is your organization that is doing the hard work, take some lessons from the Marines and treat your donors like the superheroes that they are.  After all, the Marines are making this sacrifice for our country, just as our donors are making another kind of sacrifice for our organizations.

OORAH!  Now get out there and train.

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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 different types of fundraising consultants.  And, lately, I have been hearing a great deal about “remote,” “outsourced” development professionals as opposed to the strategic “tell me what to do” consultants that produce a plan and then move onto to the next client.  I do consider myself one of these, in fact, all of these.

But, perhaps I am old-fashioned.  Or maybe I just have been working in the field too long.  I remember, long ago, when there were resident consultants who upped and moved to different parts of the country to live and work at a nonprofit and become immersed in their community.

And, while I don’t up and move, I do spend lots of time on the move.  I think – no, wait, I believe it is critical to the success of my client’s efforts.  Yes, many of the things that I do while sitting in their organization can be done quite easily from home.  But, it is not the same.

Two weeks ago on my blog, I noted how “culture of place” is such an important part of our work.  How can you get to know and understand that “culture of place” if you are working remotely?  Or for that measure, how can you understand the mission and culture of the nonprofit that you are working for if you never sit at a desk and be a part of all that happens on a day to day basis.  What does this have to do with fundraising?  A lot!

It makes a big difference to the quality of work.  When I am onsite, I am a strong reminder to the client that we need to focus and get work done.  So, a lot of work gets done.  When I am not directly onsite, and I work remotely, it seems like work moves at a snail’s pace.  Emails are not answered with urgency, and meetings are postponed.  I get it.  I fall to the bottom of the list.  Very different than having a living, breathing person taking up precious space/rent or whatever you call it in your office as a good reminder.

And, the kinds of things that I do go far beyond just providing advice. I do the work. I craft appeal letters; write newsletter content, solicit donors, write Case for Supports, write grants, work on board development, manage capital campaigns, conduct feasibility studies and audits, on and on and on.

So, when you are thinking about consultants – yes, personality is important – yes, credentials and experience are important, but, don’t overlook the consultant’s personal philosophy of service provision.  Will they go the distance, sometimes hundreds of miles at a time, to live in hotels, to get your work done and to understand the context, both internally and externally, in which your work happens?

We don’t expect our staff development professionals to be in the office behind their desks, so why would you expect the same of a fund development consultant?  They need to be building relationships with organizations to create impact – just as fundraising professionals must be with donors.  It is just another extension of this donor-centered relationship – creating results and positive outcomes for a mission.

While the old models of “in-residence, uproot you and your family” are not so available today, I believe that my unique model of in-residence consulting of a set number of days per week/month onsite is an excellent compromise.  And, hey while I toot my own horn, my model makes a huge difference to my clients and sets me apart from the rest of the bunch.

See you on I95 or maybe I89 or maybe Rt 66.  But, you can be sure of one thing, you won’t see me sitting at my desk at home.

P.S. – Yes, these are photos from my travel.  When I say I get immersed in a community that I am working in, I do.  On a recent stay in a client’s town, I did go to the “Cow Barn” for milk for breakfast.  And, that stretch of road is I91 heading into a client’s town in Vermont from another client located in the Stamford area of CT.

 

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