“I’ve got a great idea for a new event. No one else is doing one like it and I’m SURE it will raise a lot of money!” exclaimed an enthusiastic board member. “Let’s add a couple more mailings this year to ask for donations. We increased our budget so need more income to meet it” […]

Most of us look at a coming year with anticipation. We set resolutions, vow to drop bad habits or add good ones. We are optimistic about what can be in our lives. Some of that optimism comes from a reflection on what we achieved over the past year, some from a renewed focus on what we […]

Earlier this year, I served on a panel with other fundraising professionals, and this great question was posed to us: What are the top characteristics that make a good fundraiser? For me, the answer has three parts. FIRST: ‘an infinite capacity to not know what can’t be done.’ Too many people believe in what can’t […]

Guest Post by John Martin. John is a philanthropy practitioner (Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy®) with 25 years of nonprofit experience, including 19 years of fundraising & development leadership in higher education and an additional six years with a grant making charitable foundation.  He teaches university courses in Fundraising & Grantwriting, Nonprofit Leadership, and Nonprofit Marketing. […]

Guest Post by John Martin. John is a philanthropy practitioner (Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy®) with 25 years of nonprofit experience, including 19 years of fundraising & development leadership in higher education and an additional six years with a grant making charitable foundation.  He teaches university courses in Fundraising & Grantwriting, Nonprofit Leadership, and Nonprofit Marketing. […]

Many leaders tell me they want a more balanced life. What exactly does that mean? Balance, of course, means different things to different people, so taking some time to uncover what balance means to you is a valuable exercise. To help with your exploration is a handy tool called the Wheel of Life, which you can […]

My Thanksgiving list is long, but today I’m sharing just these few items: Good health Great friends Many rich blessings from a gracious God A loving family Unexpected opportunities A rich heritage Living in the USA And you Thank you for being part of my life.  My story is more complete because of you. I […]

Here is a fact about boards — they can’t raise money.   A board can pass motions and deliberate in meetings, but as an entity, the board can’t raise money.  Board members, on the other hand, can and should be a part of the fundraising process.  Members can do lots of things for the benefit of […]

Here is a fact about boards — they can’t raise money.   A board can pass motions and deliberate in meetings, but as an entity, the board can’t raise money.  Board members, on the other hand, can and should be a part of the fundraising process.  Members can do lots of things for the benefit of […]

Just last week the CEO of a dynamic charitable organization worried . . . “We don’t know if we’re going to make payroll in December!” How about you?  Do you find yourself scrambling at year end just to make THIS year’s fundraising budget? Then, if you DO reach the goal, do you breathe a sigh […]