How to craft an effective and impactful plan for your next fundraising fiscal year
For many, as the calendars switch to spring, our organisations begin their budget planning season in preparation of a new fiscal year. As a result, development departments are often hard-pressed to come up budget sometimes right in the middle…
How to keep your small shop fundraising focus on your major donor work
After having served most of my career as a Director of Development in a small organisation, I understand the realities of trying to handle all of the major tasks and responsibilities that come up daily; plus the fires that seem to endlessly…
We're growing our interim fundraising division to help YOU reach your possibility.
Let me share a story with you... A few years back when I first started consulting, I provided organisations like yourself with strategic fund development audits and assessments and then crafted finely honed plans. What I thought were roadmaps…
How to get your fundraising "Mojo" back through finding your ideal development position
Not satisfied with where you are currently in your field? Feeling like you have lost your "Mojo?" I know the feeling, I have "been there done that" as they say. What often happens next, is that we begin to apply for job after job with…
Create an "evergreen" grants management system
Ever wonder the best way to approach your foundation research? Not sure where to begin or what tools to use? Don't want to have to do research over and over again each year? Do you have changing priorities that need constant research? …
Characteristics of a good development director
Technical skill or personality, which is most important when hiring a new Director of Development? That is a great question. And, while both would be ideal, that is not always a guarantee. So, what do you look for in this case? While…
Creating a system of reconciliation for your fundraising and finance offices
Development and Finance both report financial numbers to the Board of Directors, but sometimes the numbers reported don't add up. Questioning Board members wonder, "Whose numbers are correct?" While embarrassing at times, it may just be that…
How to pack your annual operating expenses into a family of funds
Have you ever wondered if all you can ask for is general operating support? Or perhaps, you asked how you could offer different projects for your donors to support without creating restricted donations? I recommend to my clients that they…
How to evaluate your fundraising grants management program
The many factors that affect grant writing success are incredibly diverse. They include such things as the reputation and professionalism of the organisation; the quality of the program or evaluation design; the qualifications of proposed…
How to begin preparing for the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) application and exam
For those interested, in the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential, the most often asked question is, "How do I prepare for the application and the exam?" Well, for starters, the CFRE is the first globally recognized credential…
How to have the most leverage in your new fundraising office
Many organisations when seeking to start their first development office do not which way to turn or where to start first. Far too many organisations often start and end with grant writing. They don't get beyond this particular strategy…
How to have an immediate impact in your new fundraising position
You have just been offered a job as a Director of Development and now what? Well, over the past twenty years, I have had my share of jobs and have started some fundraising offices within nonprofits as part of my consulting practice. As a…
