The most important capital campaign tool is the gift range chart. This chart demonstrates how many gifts (and donors, and prospective donors) at each level (amount) it will take a reach your goal. Traditionally this tool has been used exclusively for capital campaigns, but the principles apply equally to raising major gifts for your annual … [Read more...]
How to Be Happier and More Productive at Your Nonprofit Fundraising Job
One of the keynote speeches I regularly give as I travel the country is called Happiness, Habits, and Nonprofit Fundraising: Strategies to Survive and Thrive. I developed this speech because I encounter so many unhappy fundraisers. Sadly, many development professionals are miserable at work. And that’s a real shame, because you didn’t get … [Read more...]
Would Your Nonprofit Pass a Fundraising Audit? 5 Critical Rules
There are some basic and universal fundraising principles that should be followed by every nonprofit organization. Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, these “rules” of fundraising are frequently broken. Sometimes fundraising best practices are not followed due to lack of staff and resources. Other times it’s simply a lack of … [Read more...]
10 Ways Nonprofit Women can Support their Fellow Women at Work
Recently I asked for your suggestions on women-specific topics to write about. The feedback was overwhelming -- in a good way. I truly appreciate all the suggestions and I always love hearing from my followers. Several of you suggested that I write about the importance of women supporting other women in the workplace. Unfortunately, it … [Read more...]
September 11, 2001: A Fundraiser’s Reflections Nearly 20 Years Later
If you’re over 30 years old, it’s likely you remember where you were when you first learned that two planes flew into the Twin Towers back in September of 2001. I’ll never forget. I was sitting in my car in a parking lot, waiting to go into an interview for a fundraising job at Rutgers University (Douglass College), my Alma mater. … [Read more...]
Nonprofit Board Governance Best Practices: The Shocking Truth
The shocking truth about nonprofit board governance best practices (and how they impact raising major gifts) is that many nonprofit board governance best practices are often ignored by nonprofit professionals and volunteers -- including perhaps the most important best practice for any nonprofit board. So that begs the question: … [Read more...]
3 “Non-Risk” Risks for the Fearful Fundraiser
Are you risk-averse? If trying something new gives you butterflies in your stomach and stops you in your tracks, you're likely risk-averse. Many fundraiser's are. Some people have an immediate and negative reaction to trying new things. And sometimes, their cautious natures are warranted. But often they’re not. So when Seth Godin … [Read more...]
An Effective Major Gifts Plan Template: Just 4 Simple Steps
I’m regularly asked for a major gifts plan template. Over the years, I’ve worked to refine the process and make it as simple as possible. Here’s a major gift plan template broken down into 4 steps: Major Gifts Plan Template in 4 Steps Identify the best prospective donors for your organization. Build relationships with those donors and … [Read more...]
Nonprofit Board and Staff Retreat Agenda Sample (Stop Having Poor Retreats!)
If you’re like so many nonprofit professionals, you may believe that a nonprofit board and staff retreat agenda is simply a longer version of your regular board meetings. If that’s the case, let me be blunt... Your retreat will be a waste of time. That’s right. You don’t want to waste your board members' time by planning an extend … [Read more...]
The Minimalist Guide to Planned Giving: Just 3 Simple Steps
The very idea of planned giving can seem overwhelming. Complicated new tax laws, combined with unfamiliar acronyms like CRAT and CRUT, not to mention strange sounding vehicles like Charitable Gift Annuities… it’s enough to make your head spin! And that just scratches the surface. Planned Giving Can Make Your Head Spin There are so many … [Read more...]
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