Recently I spent one hour with my speaking coach. A power-hour. I'm working on some new speaking topics and keynote talks scheduled for later this spring and summer, and I want to make sure I am as prepared as possible. I hadn’t done my homework in advance of our meeting, so I nearly canceled. And that would have been a HUGE mistake. We … [Read more...]
The Future of Fundraising: Should You Be Concerned or Optimistic?
An upcoming speaking engagement has gotten me thinking about the future of fundraising. I’m guessing you’re thinking about it too. If you're paying attention to statistics on giving trends, you’re probably discouraged. The number of donors, dollars, and donor retention rates have trended down every year for nearly a decade. Reasons to … [Read more...]
AFP International Conference 2024: Campaign Takeaways
Were you in Toronto last week for the Association of Fundraising Professionals International Conference? If not, don’t worry. As in years past, you can buy the recording to every session through the AFP website. As has been the case for over a decade, I had the good fortune to present this past week -- this time, my focus was on preparing … [Read more...]
As a Woman Leader, You Must Learn to Promote Yourself
Many women are uncomfortable with the idea of marketing or promoting themselves. But if you want to stand out, get ahead, or lead your organization to greatness, it’s important to become comfortable with self-promotion. This is not the sleazy or slick marketing of the old days. Promoting yourself should be helpful, collegial, and kind. Most … [Read more...]
Leadership Lessons Learned as a Woman Consultant and Business Owner
As I look toward the next decade of consulting, nonprofit leadership, and business growth, I’ve been reflecting on lessons learned and what comes next after nearly 30 years of in business and nonprofit leadership. In the coming years, I hope to focus this blog more towards mentoring the next generation of women leaders in business and the … [Read more...]
The Book that Changed My Professional Life Like No Other
Can you point to ONE thing (a book, a person, a workshop, etc.) that made you better at your job, or even a better person? Although there are many wonderful fundraising books available these days, my all time favorite book, one that changed the way I work, is The Success Principles by Jack Canfield. NOTE: I'm not receiving any … [Read more...]
Above All, Raising Major Gifts Requires Deadlines and Accountability
Setting goals and meeting them is important -- especially when it comes to major gift fundraising. In fact, I'd argue that it's impossible to raise major gifts well if you don't: Set deadlines Keep yourself accountable Why Accountability Matters -- for ANY Goal In early January, I shared some of my New Year’s Resolutions with my … [Read more...]
Want to Raise More Money for Your Nonprofit? Learn to Say “No”
The number one complaint I hear from development directors is that they don’t have enough time to do their job. They have too many responsibilities and not enough hours in the day. Sound familiar? What if you could say “no” to some of the things currently on your to-do list? People-Pleasers Lose Productivity One common character … [Read more...]
A Surefire Way to Raise More Than You Ever Imagined
There’s one surefire way to raise more money than you ever imagined for your organization. It’s not simple or quick or easy, but it’s practically guaranteed. The surefire way to raise more than you ever imagined is through the power of a capital campaign. Capital campaigns are magical because they require nonprofit leaders to implement … [Read more...]
2 Great Ways to Qualify Major Gift Prospects and Narrow Your List
If you're planning to raise major gifts this year or are considering a capital campaign, it's critical to focus on the right donors. You'll be far more strategic (and successful) when you qualify your donors. Qualifying Major Gift Donors is Important! If you’re not sure who your biggest and likeliest prospective donors are, you're likely … [Read more...]
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