It can be hard to be grateful, especially when you're not raising as much as you wish you were, and when a donor gives less than you think they "should". Frustrations can run high around fundraising. Last week at my AFP Chapter, Jay Love, the Founder and CEO of Bloomerang, spoke about the importance of donor retention. Getting a Second … [Read more...]
Do You Really, Seriously Need a Board Retreat?
This fundraising question comes from Tom, who writes: I can’t convince my ED that we should have a board retreat. Can you help? Share it with others -- Today’s Tweetable: Schedule a #nonprofit board retreat today to focus on team building, planning, and #fundraising! @amyeisenstein Video Transcript Yes, Tom! I can … [Read more...]
Nonprofits by the Numbers: How Many Board Members and Boards?
I recently fielded a couple questions on my blog from Tonya. She wanted to know: How many board members should you have on your nonprofit board? How many different nonprofit boards should you have? For example, an Executive Board and a Fundraising Board. These are both great questions -- and ones I’ve been asked many times … [Read more...]
Effective Board Training in 2 Surprisingly Simple Steps
Today’s question comes from Kendyl. She explains that her new incoming board chair has "AGREED" to allow her to have a portion of every monthly board meeting to train their board members. Her question: How much time should I allow to do training every month and where do I begin? I am concerned they might only give me 15 … [Read more...]
Reflecting on Life, Major Gifts and Nonprofit Boards
This week I celebrated a milestone birthday. Yes, it was the big 40! So naturally, I've spent some time reflecting on my life and business. "Have I helped people to the best of my ability?" "What can I do better over the coming months and years?" "What are my long term goals?" Looking Back In my January, I declared 2015 as the … [Read more...]
Happiness and Fundraising: How are they Linked?
Today’s question comes from Sasha. Sasha got into fundraising because she wanted to change the world. But lately she's been feeling discouraged and unhappy at work. Her question is this: How can I get my passion back and can you help me put the fun back in fundraising? Great question, Sasha! Thank you for being brave enough to ask such a … [Read more...]
Charitable Giving is on the Rise – Is Your Board Ready?
The long years of “Great Recession” fundraising stress are over! At least, that's the news from Indiana University's report, The Philanthropy Outlook: 2015 & 2016. The report, produced by the Lilly Fundraising School in partnership with Marts & Lundy, offers a glimpse of what we can expect to see in 2015 and 2016 (I've taken this … [Read more...]
How do I Explain a Reserve to My Donors?
A few months back I was facilitating a board retreat for a historical society in Denver and talking about the importance of fundraising, when a board member named John stopped me and asked me this: How can you expect us to feel motivated to raise funds when we have such a big endowment? I’m not convinced we actually need the money. Great … [Read more...]
Keep Board Members 100% Accountable with an Expectation Form
Are you ever disappointed by the lack of action taken by your board members? Here you are, at yet another board meeting where a significant majority of your board members haven't done what they said they would do. Not only that, but they don't seem to remember what they agreed to in the first place! One key to avoiding this … [Read more...]
3 Steps for Development Directors to Fully Engage Board Members
It doesn't matter whether you're a new development director or one who's been around the block a few times: board engagement can definitely be a challenge. In fact, helping development offices keep their boards engaged and effective is a huge part of my work as a consultant. So if you're feeling frustrated with your board, don't beat up … [Read more...]
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