Picture this -- It’s the start of the new school year. My kids were “Zooming to school” (as my mother would say). My 11th grader, Ethan, is in the basement. My 8th grader, Zoe, is in her room. And, I’m at the kitchen table, leading a webinar. It’s 2:15, between periods, so my son comes up to get a snack. Without meaning to, he slams the … [Read more...]
Board Management During COVID-19: 5 Tips to Keep Up Momentum
The following is a guest post from Jeb Banner, the founder and CEO of Boardable, a nonprofit board management software provider. Jeb is also the founder of two nonprofits, The Speak Easy and Musical Family Tree, as well as a board member of United Way of Central Indiana and ProAct. The pandemic has transformed many activities in the … [Read more...]
3 Reasons Optimists Raise More Money, Especially During a Pandemic
It’s easy to be pessimistic these days with so much instability and insecurity in the world... Coronavirus spreading Rampant inequality Economic uncertainty Political instability The list goes on and on. And yet, some people are optimistic. With so much negativity all around, how can they stay so positive? Optimism vs. … [Read more...]
7 Volunteers You DON’T Want Serving on Your Nonprofit Board
When a nonprofit leader (generally a development director or CEO/ED) contacts me about fundraising, some of the first questions I ask are about their board members. They include: Do all of your board members give an annual gift? Are they generous with their time, resources, and connections? Do your board members have capacity, networks … [Read more...]
5 Reasons Why Robots Make Bad Fundraisers
Robots Make Bad Fundraisers... at least, according to Steven Shattuck, Chief Engagement Officer at Bloomerang. And I agree with him. In his debut book, Robots Make Bad Fundraisers: How Nonprofits Can Maintain the Heart in the Digital Age, Shattuck makes the case for personalization, individualization, and using technology … [Read more...]
How to Introduce Yourself to Donors so They’ll Gladly Meet with You
The other day I received an email from a development director who asked: “How should I introduce myself to new donors?” She was talking about donors she'd personally never met with before. She went on to clarify her question: “How do I introduce myself so that raising funds is not somehow clouded in jargon or simply glazed over in … [Read more...]
4 Steps to Replace Special Event Fundraising with Virtual Giving
One of the things fundraisers complain most about is fundraising events -- because such events take up so much time and energy. They also put a strain on donors and volunteers. Who really wants to attend another rubber chicken dinner anyway? An Opportunity to Replace Special Event Fundraising These unprecedented times provide your big … [Read more...]
The #1 Worst Habit of Fundraisers Worldwide – Break It
I’m working really hard at being healthy this summer. That means actually exercising and eating less junkfood on a regular basis. Plus, I’m in my mid-40’s. So, I figure it’s now or never. One of the “rules” I’ve made for myself is no eating after dinner. And yet, the other night, I found myself eating not one, but a second helping of … [Read more...]
Does Your Nonprofit Make 50 Asks in 50 Weeks?
The first fundraising book I ever wrote (more than 10 years ago, now), is called 50 Asks in 50 Weeks. Published by CharityChannel Press, it’s now available in its 2nd edition. I mention this because I’m revising and expanding my online training program, Mastering Major Gifts. In the process of improving the program and creating new … [Read more...]
Time to Throw Out Your Fundraising Job Description
Every time I see a nonprofit looking to hire new fundraising staff, the job description they post seems to be even longer than the last. It features a never-ending list of qualifications, credentials, responsibilities, and other requirements. Considering what most nonprofits are paying, they would be lucky to get half of the requirements … [Read more...]
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