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I’ve been a fundraising consultant for 15 years now, and I’ve had clients who range from outstanding to frustrating (to put it mildly) and everything in between. What makes one a pleasure to work with and the other a nightmare? There is one simple trait that makes a client the best in class, and another that […]
If you’ve been involved with nonprofit organizations or the philanthropic community for very long, you know that volunteers are a critical part of the staffing in most organizations. Nonprofits need volunteers for board positions, to help with event management, and many, many other things. Volunteers are the best! A “best practice” for any organization is to […]
When my good friend Amy Eisenstein asked me to write the foreword for her new book, 50 Asks in 50 Weeks, Second Edition, it was one of the easiest “yes” responses I’ve ever made! The impact of this book on my fundraising skills can’t be overstated, and I know you’ll benefit in the same way […]
“Our organization can’t raise $1,000,000.” “Men my age only want to date younger women.” “I can’t pursue my dreams because what if I fail?” “Our board members won’t help with fundraising.” “That foundation/individual doesn’t give in our area.” Each of these statements is a “limiting belief.” The term applies to thoughts that constrain us in […]
Early in my career, I came across a quote that radically altered how I viewed my job as a development officer. “The donors’ need to give is always greater than the charity’s need to receive.” The longer I live, the more convinced I am that the philosophy of that quote is true. Each of us […]
“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” […]
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 […]
“We’ll see what happens in the next election. Talk to me after November.” “It’s probably best if we wait until the spring. I’m just not sure what will happen before then.” Maybe you’ve gotten responses like these during conversations with donors or perhaps when your team comes together to plan your next steps. These are […]
“an imaginary mischievous sprite regarded as responsible for an unexplained problem or fault” “a small imaginary creature that is blamed when something does not work properly” These words describe a gremlin. A gremlin is also that little voice in your head saying, “I can’t do this, who do I think I am?” or “I’m not […]
Most of the time we think about energy as our “get up and go”. Or maybe we look at energy in terms of the number of calories we need to go about our daily business or to exercise without hitting the wall. But, there is another way to look at energy: What is your level […]