Over the last few weeks, we have been abuzz over the life and death of Steve Jobs. Carmine Gallo wrote a post on the Steve Jobs Seven Rules of Success, which I think apply beautifully to nonprofit professionals and fundraisers, and I can’t help but share them with you — with my own spin. 1. Do What You Love Clearly, Jobs loved what he … [Read more...]
Book Review: The Pollyanna Principles for Reinventing Nonprofits
Have you ever felt like a Pollyanna? Have you ever wished you could be that optimistic? The Pollyanna Principles can help. I recently finished reading The Pollyanna Principles: Reinventing Nonprofit Organizations to Create the Future of Our World by Hildy Gottlieb. I couldn’t wait to share my review. Please know that this is an honest review … [Read more...]
4 Simple Steps to Asking Individuals for Donations
Do you include face-to-face fundraising to ask individuals for donations as an integral part of your annual fund campaign? Now, I’m not talking about going door-to-door or sitting in front of a grocery store with a can. I'm talking about individual fundraising. If you don’t know how to do individual fundraising or if you are just getting … [Read more...]
Fundraising 101: Learn the Essentials of Fundraising
Fundraising is a massive topic. It can be overwhelming for the beginner. So I recently created an online guide to help you learn the ropes: Fundraising 101: Successful Fundraising Made Simple This extensive guide is composed of 12 of my most popular articles, woven together in a series of logical steps. It provides a full tutorial … [Read more...]
Nonprofit Financial Management Made Simple
If you are like so many passionate, nonprofit folks, finances and accounting are not your forte. Unfortunately for you and your nonprofit, this can be a serious problem. Like you, I would rather be at the dentist than reviewing financial statements. However, reading and understanding financial statements is one of the many important … [Read more...]
4 Steps to Raise More Money AFTER Your Event
Did you know that much of the money made from a truly successful fundraising event is made after the event is over? Although I'm in favor of a fundraising event earning a lot of money from sponsors and attendees, fundraising events are also excellent cultivation opportunities. Attracting New Donors Think about your last event. Were there any … [Read more...]
An Essential Resource for Nonprofit Beginners
Are you new(ish) to the nonprofit world? Do you ever wish there was a comprehensive guide to nonprofit organizations that covered the basics? Do you need a place to turn when you have a quick question about fundraising, leadership or management? The Best Book for Nonprofit Beginners Although I wouldn’t call it the “bible” for … [Read more...]
4 Super Easy Processes for Raising More Money
I’m currently working with two organizations that will each raise significantly more money once they improve the way their respective offices function. What can you do to improve the way your office functions? Here are four super easy processes that you can put into place right away. Team Meetings for Accountability Have a weekly development … [Read more...]
Fundraising Results: It’s Not the Economy, It’s You
Do you think your fundraising results are terrible because of a poor economy? If so, think again. Many organizations are raising more money than ever before. The Winners and Losers Those organizations that are investing in development efforts are seeing a significant return on their investments. They're the winners. It should come as no … [Read more...]
How to Meet Donors with Big Wallets
Over and over I hear board and staff members complain that they don’t know any “rich” people and my reaction is always the same: it’s more important to meet people with big hearts than big wallets. Remember, the actual number of “rich” people in this country (or even in the world) is extremely small. Therefore the chances that one of them … [Read more...]