Today we have a question from Lacreda at a Habitat for Humanity Chapter. She says: What I need is time! As a one-person shop who handles it all -- grant writing, planning events, community outreach, data base management and the quarterly newsletters -- I feel like I juggle balls just enough to put out fires. So I don't effectively do … [Read more...]
Amy’s Top 9 Posts from 2015
As the year draws to a close, it’s important to reflect on the past as you begin to prepare for the coming year. Thank You, Sincerely I am so grateful for all the work you do to make our world a better place. Through my blog, consulting, speaking, and board retreat facilitating, I like to think I’m right there, in the trenches, with you. … [Read more...]
Thinking of Leaving Your Development Job? Think Again…
Video Transcript Did you know that development directors who stay in jobs longer are able to raise significantly more money than if they were to hop from one organization to the next? It should come as no surprise. If fundraising truly is about relationships, development directors need to be at their organizations for enough years to … [Read more...]
Can You Brush Your Teeth with Your Left Hand?
Last week I attended the December meeting (and final meeting of the year) for the New Jersey Chapter of the AFP (Association of Fundraising Professionals). It also happened to be my last meeting as president of the board, a position I have held for the past two years, so I was hoping it would be a good one. Every December, we have a … [Read more...]
Andrea Kihlstedt on Hiring a Capital Campaign Consultant
Recently, I interviewed my mentor, colleague and friend, Andrea Kihlstedt. Andrea is the co-Founder of Capital Campaign Masters and THE go-to-expert on capital campaigns. She's currently in the process of finishing the 4th edition of her book, Capital Campaigns: Strategies That Work. Interview Highlights (Transcript) Here’s a BRIEF … [Read more...]
7 Questions to Determine Whether #GivingTuesday Works for You
Although only four years old, #GivingTuesday has taken off. If you don’t know what it is (and you're living under a rock), you can learn more about it on the official site at www.givingtuesday.org. Much like “Black Friday” and “Cyber Monday,” #GivingTuesday has now become mainstream. Started by the 92nd Street Y, it’s a brilliant campaign … [Read more...]
A Novel Thank You can Skyrocket Fundraising Results
Video Transcript I realize that thank you letters can be a little tedious, but thanking donors can be one key to your future fundraising success. I realize that’s a bold statement, but it’s true. Let me say that again: Thanking donors is one BIG key to your future fundraising success. A Thoughtful Thank You will Keep Donors Loyal Do … [Read more...]
3 Ways Prospect Research Can Help You with Year-End Fundraising
Bill Tedesco, CEO of Donor Search, was a huge help with the major gifts research project Dr. Adrian Sargeant and I recently completed. Bill has also been a great partner to the nonprofit sector, providing comprehensive, affordable donor research tools and technology. So I decided to interview him and provide some valuable advice to you … [Read more...]
What to do When a Donor Gives You BAD Advice
Video Transcript As you may know, there’s an overused expression in fundraising which goes: Ask for money and you’ll get advice and ask for advice and you’ll get money. I don’t love the expression, but its underlying message is important. It reminds us that it’s important to build relationships with donors before they invest, and one … [Read more...]
Do Fundraisers REALLY Still Need to Ask for Donations?
Last week I was speaking to a group of fundraisers in Erie, PA and one of them said: What you’re teaching is ‘old school.’ If you cultivate a person well, they’ll make a gift on their own. They don’t need to be asked. To put this in some context, we were talking about raising major gifts. One of his donors whom he knew quite well, kindly … [Read more...]
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