As a development director, you may be in the uncomfortable position of managing up, down, and sideways. It takes a lot of effort to get everyone rowing in the same direction when it comes to fundraising. After all, fundraising is a team sport -- or, at least, it should be. Unfortunately, many people on nonprofit leadership teams try to … [Read more...]
Boring Development Meetings? 6 Ways to Energize Your Team
Recently, I received an email from Janet, who asked: We have been having weekly major gifts meetings for quite some time. Our meetings seem to be getting very stale and everyone dreads them every Monday. I would love to hear if other development teams have weekly meetings, and what they actually discuss each week. Thanks! Great question, … [Read more...]
Are You Growing or Dying? Continuing Education Can Save Your Life
You’ve likely heard the popular expression, if you’re not growing, you’re dying. That being said, it has been a hard year. It can be tempting to veg out in front of the TV for hours on end. (I’ve done it myself.) In fact, I’ve watched so much TV over the past year, I often feel there’s nothing left to watch. I’m sure you don’t need … [Read more...]
How to Experience the True Joy of Fundraising
There are a lot of negative connotations associated with fundraising. And that strips it of the natural joy you should be getting as you're working so hard to make the world a better place. Negative Fundraising Language vs. Positive Fundraising Language One of the strategies I often use when facilitating a board retreat is to ask board … [Read more...]
Raise More by Asking for Two Gifts at Once
Has your organization received any planned gifts this year? If so, it just might be thanks to the hard work of one of your predecessors. The Smartest Fundraisers Ask for Two Gifts at Once Back when I started fundraising, big organizations had different staff members who were responsible for raising major gifts and others who solicited … [Read more...]
How to Ask Donors for a Gift: 4 Powerfully Authentic Scripts
One of the most terrifying moments for most fundraisers (staff members and volunteers) is asking for a gift. And yet, every fundraiser must request specific gifts if they are going to raise significant amounts of funding. Sometimes simply finding the right language for the right situation makes everything flow together. Before you ask … [Read more...]
Raise Millions, Even in Poor Areas: Tips from Sabrina Hernandez Walker
Sabrina Hernandez Walker raised millions of dollars for her Boys and Girls Club in the 3rd poorest county in the USA. If she can do it, so can you! I invited her to share her journey with you. Raising Millions: Building Relationships is Key Amy Eisenstein (AE) -- Sabrina, please paint a picture of the Boys and Girls Club when you first … [Read more...]
6 Ways Fundraisers are Like Marvel Studio’s “The Avengers”
Ok, I know I don’t exactly fit the demographic of a typical Avengers fan. And yet, over the last few months, I’ve been watching Marvel Studio’s Avengers movies with my 16-year-old son. There aren’t too many things he likes to do with me these days, so when he says, “Come on, Mom, let’s watch a movie,” I do my best to put down whatever I’m … [Read more...]
Nonprofit Board Retreat on Zoom? 3 Must-Have Agenda Items
If you haven’t had a board retreat yet this year, this post is for you! That’s because every nonprofit board should have an annual retreat. And this year is no exception. If anything, a board retreat is more critical than ever as we begin to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Board Retreat Agenda Items for Zoom There are three … [Read more...]
Development Directors Who Stay Longer Raise More Money
A good development director is worth their weight in gold. Fundraising, especially major gift fundraising, is based on relationships. It takes time to build trust and confidence. The longer a development director stays at an organization, the more likely it is they really get to know the donors and volunteers and that the donors know them! … [Read more...]
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