In the spring of 2014 Admiral William H. McRaven gave the commencement address at his alma mater, the University of Texas. His inspiring remarks touched on 10 different life lessons he had learned during his time training to become a Navy Seal. However, it was the first lesson he shared that made the biggest impression on his …
Can Making Our Bed Ensure A More Successful Experience in Quarantine? Read More »
Every year around this time people all over the country begin to sweat and fidget and possibly even become a little faint as they realize that an important deadline is approaching. Those people had better get to work completing their annual tax returns or else they might get an uncomfortable visit or call from the …
As we approach the midway point of the calendar year it is a good time to check on the status of the goals you set this year. Whether your organization follows a calendar year or July to June budget the month of June is a great time to be checking progress (calendar) or setting a …
Earlier this month CCS Fundraising published its annual A Guide to Philanthropy in the US. America continues to be a very generous country with more than $427 billion contributed to worthy charities during 2018. The report highlights numerous areas in development that are noteworthy from increased volunteerism (up 21% since 2016) to decreases in giving to …
In the world of financial planning the concept of having a diversified financial portfolio is so common it is almost cliché. If you are managing or have an advisor who is managing your money it is highly unlikely that all of those funds are being invested in a single kind of investment fund. Most financial …
Thomas Edison once said, “A genious is a talented person who does his homework.” I often like to think of this quotation when encouraging clients to create a strategic plan. If you have a goal to increase your organization’s overall impact but don’t understand the audience of donors necessary to get there you will likely …
Abraham Lincoln was once quoted as saying, “the best way to predict your future is to create it.” Our 16th President, who successfully led the country through its darkest hours during the Civil War, took those words to heart as he looked into the abyss during a time of crisis and seized opportunity from the …
In the world of fundraising and development communication is the bedrock of a successful program. At its core, successful fundraising is built upon strong personal relationships. Our best donors don’t just see themselves as checkbooks or ATMs for the organizations they support. They consider themselves partners and friends who want to make an impact on …
The Importance of Communications During Times of Uncertainty Read More »
The most effective way to inspire a donor to increase their giving and make a major gift to your organization is by making a solicitation in person. When you are able to look a donor in the eyes, share the impact of what their giving has accomplished and ask them to increase that impact with a …
You’ve just finished another year of fundraising in which you exceeded your income goals, attracted many new donors and helped your organization reach all time high levels of impact. And what do you get in return for the job well done? You get to start from scratch all over again! Yogi Berra was quoted as …