OORAH – What the Marines taught me about fundraising
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…
“Am I asking my donors too much?” Well, Virginia let me tell you the answer.
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,…
Holy cow, fifty shades of fundraising consulting, which do you prefer?
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…
Culture of place and how it impacts fundraising campaigns
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…
Meetings – are you positioned right?
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,…
The “too busy” fundraiser!
"I don't have the time!"
Development professionals probably have one of the most demanding jobs in an organisation. There are so many expectations, and the work is full of deadlines that need we need to meet.
We work long hours on grant proposals,…
The intersection between mission and mergers
There always comes the point in an organisation when the natural order of things is change. Whether that change is an executive transition, upheaval in the Board of Directors, or even things greater than that. Things such as what should…
Are all your fundraising systems in line?
Interestingly enough, I met with a wonderful and highly intelligent gentleman this past week. As we were eating lunch, we started talking about systems thinking. It reminded me of a mentor who once said that we needed to be reading people like…
Love me or lose me – How donor communications can do both.
We often talk about banning jargon when we speak to others about our organisation. And, that is so needed. But, I would like to take it one step further, and say that we are not here to "educate" our donors about what we do.
They don't…
Governance and the Founder – a Crossroads at Your Nonprofit
The founder. What does that mean to be a founder of an organisation? And, how does that impact the relationship with your Board of Directors?
organisations have natural life cycles and founders play a unique role in the organisation that…
How well are you meeting your nonprofit’s mission?
How big is your need?
Interestingly enough, a group that I am currently working with is in the process of conducting an outside needs assessment. I think this is such a wise move.
Over the years, I have led strategic planning and board…
Is Your Board Looking Through the Lens of Mission?
The lens of mission must guide everything that a Board of Directors decides in an organisation. Everything.
Board members are the vanguard of the mission. They develop it; they refine it, and they ensure it. They ensure that the organisation…
