Being a major gift solicitor takes courage. It is not easy to look across a table at someone you barely know and ask them to give you tens of thousands (if not in some cases millions) of dollars in support of an intangible good. These gifts, which have built libraries, cured cancer, reduced poverty and …
The recent social distance requirements in response to Covid19 have presented major gift fundraisers numerous challenges. Interpersonal relationships are the foundation of strong and growing major gifts programs. If major gift officers are unable to meet donors in person it could create obstacles that at best slows that process down and at worse prevents relationships …
One of the great privileges of being a fundraiser is that you have the opportunity to engage with many interesting and generous individuals. These are individuals that are accomplished professionally and equally passionate about the organizations we represent. Why, then, do so many fundraisers make the mistake of making donor engagements about themselves and the organizations they …
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 …