Have you strategically planned?
Throughout my career, I have found that it is oftentimes not fund development issues that impact the effectiveness of fundraising, but, larger organisational ones.After doing many development audits and assessments, I can say that the top…
Will I raise money with donor acquisition?
I often get asked by nonprofit organisations, what is the value of conducting a donor acquisition campaign?Well, if you are looking to make money, you probably will not at first.Donor acquisition mailings frequently do not pay for themselves.…
It’s elementary my dear, building your elementary school alumni effort!
I was recently approached by my local Catholic elementary schools to put together some thoughts about building an alumni base that could possible provide scholarship fund assistance.Some elementary schools have very robust elementary alumni…
Budget cuts, oh budget cuts…how fair art thou?
It seems everywhere I turn these days, I hear of more budget cuts heading down the “turnpike” of non-profit funding. Just today, I read about the MA state House Committee on Ways and Means proposes yet another $1.2 million cut to arts, sciences…
How to attract donors to give on your website.
I am often asked questions about donation catchment pages for non-profit websites.The questions range from: How can I make my donation catchment page on my website more appealing to donors? How can I get donors to take action once they are…
The fundraising consultants top ten list!
Consultants play multiple roles in fundraising. Here is the top ten list!1. Facilitator2. Strategist3. Coach, mentor, and cheerleader4. Educator and informational expert5. Problem solver6. Partner7. Communicator8. …
Government funding, stable no more!
Government funding was once the mainstay of many nonprofit organisations fundraising efforts. However, this has changed dramatically over the past several years as federal, state and local governments continue to struggle through the budget…
Applying for your tax exempt status, a fundraisers perspective!
I am not an attorney nor ever claim to be one, but, as a fundraiser I sure can offer you some advice!The first step in forming a nonprofit organisation almost always is forming a corporation. A corporation is an entity or an organisation that…
Simple steps to starting a nonprofit organisation
Have you always dreamed of starting an organisation to help others?Do you have vision and passion, but, lack the “know how?’See a need in your community but don’t know where to begin?Let me give you a few simple steps that you can …
Outsource fundraising, really?
Outsourcing fundraising!And, I don't mean to India or China either.But, why can't you outsource the low-end tasks of fundraising?Remembering the 80/20 rule, those in nonprofits with limited staffing need to be keeping their eye on the…
Do you have a long-range fund development strategic plan?
Are you operating your fund development without a long-range strategic plan? If so, you might be operating from a reactive crisis-driven position rather than a proactive visionary one. And, that in the long-term will hamper your fundraising…
A culture of philanthropy
Do you often time feel unsupported in your fundraising work?Does all of the program staff look at you with blank stares on their faces when you report your success?Do your board members have high expectations for you to bring in the money?Are…
