2 min read
One of my colleagues in the industry, Jason Lewis, has a phrase for the way that many non-profits approach fundraising: hands-off fundraising. It’s the idea that organizations treat fundraising like a machine—you flip the switch when money is tight, crank out appeals, and hope donors respond. But...
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3 min read
At the end of 2024, I recorded a podcast with my colleagues about the state of relational fundraising and the new strategies and tools we believe will be useful in the non-profit sector. One of the...
3 min read
How did DEI go from a clarion call for change to an acronym no one can even utter for fear of retribution in such a short time? The answer: White men felt they were losing their power — and became...
3 min read
The health of public media is facing another crisis. Over the last couple months, the new administration has challenged the integrity of—and threatened to defund—a valuable national infrastructure,...
3 min read
“I am truly awesome!” That’s what I thought on the way back home from a donor meeting after landing the biggest individual contribution in my non-profit's history. I was ecstatic and couldn’t wait to...
4 min read
Asking someone for a gift. It’s the most intimidating part of fundraising. But most asking strategies are focused on simply getting the money; some of them even border on manipulation. That’s not an...
2 min read
Every fundraiser has gotten a “no” at some point in their career. Sure, it’s part of the job, but it’s an experience that can make you feel frustrated and dispirited with your work and your...
3 min read
Are you getting antsy? Wondering why money hasn’t started pouring in from your major gift program? We hear this all the time from leaders and managers and it feels like a crisis. Many non-profit...
3 min read
To create a successful major gifts program, it is essential for MGOs and their managers to establish clear plans and goals, and maintain strong communication. This approach forms the foundation for...
3 min read
When you’ve been coaching and working with major gift officers for as long as I have, you meet a lot of good ones and, unfortunately, some pretty bad ones. But throughout my career, I’ve also had the...
