So, let’s talk database. What? That seems like something so mundane. Well, it may be, but it is so critical to fundraising. Throughout my professional career, I have been victim to bad databases, and I have been asked to work with bad databases. One thing is for sure, without an initial thought out structure, problems are inevitable. I […]
Development Consulting Solutions is announcing NEW interim and project-based service offerings: Who is DCS? There are limited Certified Fund-Raising Executives (CFRE) providing outsourced fund development services and serving as interim fund development staffing. What most organisations need is someone who can do the work for them! “DCS” recognizes this need and has provided this service […]
When to go public? A question that I am asked a bit. When can our capital campaign go public? When can we put a thermometer out on our lawn? When can we start to ask our constituents and the general community? When can we have a special event and invite everyone? The all important question, […]
I have worked in the nonprofit world far longer than I can remember. My job began in the sector back in 1992 or so, when I became a grant writing intern for a local non-profit organisation as part of my undergraduate work. Little did I realize that some twenty plus years later, I would still be […]
Best practices. We hear that phrase often. This week, I even read a question asking if “best practices were misleading?” Are we throwing that phrase around to legitimize our field? Our do we have best practices and what are they? Well, I contend that the only true best practice is one that is grounded in […]
What, wait, we hired that Capital Campaign Consultant to run the campaign, and now you are telling me that I have to do something. No, this can’t be possible. Yep! It would be unrealistic to think that a capital campaign is left up to the staff to manage. How could they? The staff doesn’t have access […]
So, I have a niche somewhat of assisting smaller nonprofits with their capital campaigns. This niche can be challenging because many of these groups have not had an ongoing, comprehensive fund development program in the past. However, working on these smaller campaigns can also be very satisfying because I can help them use this campaign […]
This weekend I took a little vacation of sorts. I ran a marathon. The Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC. Running a marathon is exhausting, but also, reflective. For you see, you run for 26 miles. That is a long time on your feet – sometimes, three, four, five, six, or even more hours. Over […]
So, here it is. I am laying this question and answer right out on the line. Especially now that we are coming to the year-end giving season. I am asked time and time again, “Didn’t we just mail to them, won’t we be bothering them?” No, no, and no. You can never ask enough. Yes, […]
Lately, I have been doing a lot of driving. And, as a result, a lot of thinking. I have clients all throughout the Northeast. And, sometimes, yes, the driving does get “old.” But, then I sit back and reflect. You see, there are many different types of fundraising consultants. And, lately, I have been hearing […]
There is so much science behind fund development. You can study it, take courses in it, and read books on it. Campaigns have become honed regarding best practices; there are easy steps to put into place, materials to be created, and people to be engaged. The one thing that I have come to realize, though, […]
Meetings, meetings, meetings. We all know them, and we all attend them.here are three types of meetings and the way that you position yourself physically within the meeting could make a world of difference. Including meeting with our donors. But, did you know there are three types of meetings, and the way that you position […]
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