How to run a successful Mother’s Day fundraising campaign
At the start of Spring, our thoughts turn to flowers, sunshine, and our Mom's! And, for many nonprofit organisations, this is a great direct mail theme and just in time for a Spring appeal.
So, how can you maximize this appeal to give your…
Is it time to close our nonprofit doors?
As a nonprofit organisation, you are here to meet a mission to your stakeholders. Maybe long ago, or not so long ago, you were founded to assist a particular group or meet a critical need. And, months go by, years go by, and you are still…
What’s next after your capital campaign feasibility study?
So, your consultant has just finished your capital campaign feasibility study. The report is sitting on your desk, and you are wondering, where do I go from here?
Here are some possibilities:
The report may recommend that the organisation…
Donor cultivation and stewardship – it’s all unique and one-of-a-kind!
I often get asked from my clients, how many touchpoints do you need to give to a donor at a certain level?
And, my answer - it varies.
There is some science to the whole matter. In fact, after I conduct a rating and ranking session, I will…
Do you SWOT before accepting a job offer?
How do you make that decision to accept your next position?
Do you go by with what your heart feels? Well, there is some importance to listening to your "heart," "intuition" or "gut" when making decisions like this, there is also an important…
The revolving fundraising door at our organisations
What is going on out there?
For the past year, I have watched development jobs come and go on the job boards.
I lamented that folks like myself with over 20 years of experience, certifications, and education were getting passed up for the…
Oh, the woes of a nonprofit fundraising database!
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…
New “DCS” interim development services
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…
A season of burnout?
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…
Do not take Fundraising best practices at face value!
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…
Yep, the Board does have a role in a capital campaign!
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…
Sink or swim: the capital campaign steering committee
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…
