Being a great fundraiser requires RESILIENCE. There’s a lot of rejection in fundraising and hearing "no" over and over can take a toll. Fundraising is part art, part science. There isn’t only one right way to ask for money. Trial and error is par for the course. That’s because fundraising involves humans. And humans have emotions. In … [Read more...]
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Nonprofit Leadership
If you’ve ever heard me speak before, you know how passionate I am about fundraising and nonprofit leadership. My “no-nonsense” attitude comes across loud and clear about board members’ roles and responsibilities with regard to giving, as well as the Executive Director’s important role in fundraising. The following might seem more like a … [Read more...]
Attention Funders and Fundraisers: Capacity Building is Key
Here’s the message of today’s post: Think BIG. Think LONG TERM. Are you changing the world (or your corner of it, at least) by fulfilling your mission? How are you making sure your organization is GROWING? Well, you can't grow effectively when your own donors are limiting your growth. It infuriates me... I’m tired of … [Read more...]
8 Ways Your Board Can Fundraise Without Asking
Can you guess the number one complaint I hear from Executive Directors and Development Directors? Their top complaint is that their board members do not help with fundraising. How about you? Do you have board members who just won’t fundraise? If yes, the question is, why...? Have you included fundraising as part of their board member … [Read more...]
AFP ICON: Fundraising Trends, Data, Interactive Meetings, and More!
This week is the Association of Fundraising Professionals' International Conference (aka AFP-ICON). I’ve attended this conference every year for over a decade, in addition to speaking nearly every year. While many of us (loyal attendees) had hoped this year’s conference would be in-person, it is fully virtual for a second year due to the … [Read more...]
7 Capital Campaign Basics to Consider as a Nonprofit Leader
Leading a capital campaign can be overwhelming -- even for the most experienced nonprofit CEO or Development Director. After all, it’s not as if you sit around twiddling your thumbs on a regular basis. How can you possibly find the time for a capital campaign on top of your already-hectic schedule and massive responsibilities? How Do … [Read more...]
3 Ways to Achieve Work-Life Balance While Working for a Nonprofit
This year has taught many of us that we can work from anywhere (including our homes). But that doesn’t mean -- and shouldn’t mean -- we always have to work. COVID Changed Everything Pre-pandemic, many development directors felt they were always working. But since they didn’t “work from home” (as much) there was likely more of a separation … [Read more...]
Managing Up, Down, and Sideways: 3 Ways to Lead a Fundraising Team
As a development director, you may be in the uncomfortable position of managing up, down, and sideways. It takes a lot of effort to get everyone rowing in the same direction when it comes to fundraising. After all, fundraising is a team sport -- or, at least, it should be. Unfortunately, many people on nonprofit leadership teams try to … [Read more...]
Boring Development Meetings? 6 Ways to Energize Your Team
Recently, I received an email from Janet, who asked: We have been having weekly major gifts meetings for quite some time. Our meetings seem to be getting very stale and everyone dreads them every Monday. I would love to hear if other development teams have weekly meetings, and what they actually discuss each week. Thanks! Great question, … [Read more...]
Are You Growing or Dying? Continuing Education Can Save Your Life
You’ve likely heard the popular expression, if you’re not growing, you’re dying. That being said, it has been a hard year. It can be tempting to veg out in front of the TV for hours on end. (I’ve done it myself.) In fact, I’ve watched so much TV over the past year, I often feel there’s nothing left to watch. I’m sure you don’t need … [Read more...]
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