1. Is your Fundraising transactional or transformative? 2. Is your Fundraising driven by the mission or the budget? 3. Is your Fundraising an integrated core value of the organization or is it the bank account that pays the bills? 4. Is your Fundraising 'developing' the organization or is it raising funds? 5. Is your Fundraising … Continue reading Five Fundamental Questions of Fundraising
Inspiration
Disrupt Your Innovation
Disrupt. Innovate. Think bigger, think differently! All valuable advice. In fact, innovation is often listed as one of the most important focal points for any company. It encourages growth, creates value for employees and customers and brings much-needed advancements to the field. Arguably, any of the greatest achievements in history have occurred because someone, somewhere … Continue reading Disrupt Your Innovation
Nonprofit Storytelling Conference 2019 – A Manifesto
I've just returned from San Diego from the 2019 Nonprofit Storytelling Conference. It will take a lot of time to process the information, the incredible sessions, the learning and the re-ignition that came out of it. It's an incredible conference. I'd had the opportunity to attend in 2016, which I blogged about here and here. … Continue reading Nonprofit Storytelling Conference 2019 – A Manifesto
The Things That Came Before
Sometimes, to make truly lasting, important, substantive change we have to honor what came before. We weren't there for the little decisions, the tough choices, the concessions that had to be made that led to the status being quo. We might've missed the thousand-and-one paper cuts, putting a band-aid on this one and that one … Continue reading The Things That Came Before
On Gratitude and Culture
I love this question from Tim Sarrantonio at Neon. Do we think enough about what gratitude is, what it means and how we truly express gratitude to our donors? Sure, we talk about donor retention rate and the crisis it is in our sector, but do we really, truly express gratitude? Or are we implementing … Continue reading On Gratitude and Culture
What’s In a Name? In Praise of Development
WONDERFUL post today from Amy Eisenstein on Nonprofit Job Titles. Touch of humor and some really good points. We're seeing trends in all sectors that job titles are changing to be a little more fun, a little more descriptive - saw one the other day that was "Chief People Officer" and another one was "Head … Continue reading What’s In a Name? In Praise of Development
The “F” Word & Fundraising
Sat through another meeting where Fundraising was referred to as "the F word" . . . . ha ha ha, giggle giggle, 'cause it's a bad word. I failed. I should have confronted. I should have taken the opportunity to correct, teach, coach. I should have stood on the table and shouted with all the … Continue reading The “F” Word & Fundraising
Why Fundraisers Have It Best
There's a lot of ugly in the world right now. There's a lot to feel angry and dejected about and there's a lot of negativity and frustration and hopelessness. It's hard to hold on to the good and the right and the true. But aren't we, as fundraisers, really lucky? Think about it for a … Continue reading Why Fundraisers Have It Best
What does hockey have to do with Fundraising?
Right here, right now I will totally admit this is an opportunistic blog. I can't help it; it's the year I became a hockey fan and, like the rest of my community, I might be a little obsessed. And I do tend to relate everything to fundraising. The Las Vegas Golden Knights have just lost … Continue reading What does hockey have to do with Fundraising?
The Absolutely Foolproof Five-Step Fundraising Plan
Everything anyone needs to know about fundraising can be summed up in a five-step process. Find prospects who are concerned about The Problem your mission exists to solve. Connect with them. Ask them to solve The Problem with their financial support. Thank them - profusely - for doing so. Report back to them - tell … Continue reading The Absolutely Foolproof Five-Step Fundraising Plan
Annual Fund Lab 