3 min read
When you think about “donor service,” what does that look like, for you and for your organization? I’ve talked with countless fundraisers and non-profit leaders who don’t see the value of exceptional...
2 min read
I was sent away to a boarding school in another country when I was six years old. Except for two years, all of my school and college experience was in boarding schools away from home.
3 min read
The purpose of fundraising seems to be what the word says: FUND raising. That seems self-explanatory. Fundraisers raise the funds. Or more basically – get the money.
3 min read
I sat down with a major donor several weeks ago when I was in New York City. We started talking about her philanthropy, what she was trying to accomplish, what were some of her frustrations as a...
3 min read
If you have been trained correctly as a development professional, you are donor-centered, providing outstanding customer service and essentially striving to say “yes” to donors. I mean, just about...
3 min read
I have to tell you I’m tired of it. I’m tired of hearing from MGOs that they don’t have donors on their caseloads that give high five, six and seven figure gifts. If you are an MGO and you have at...
3 min read
We have all had the experience. We try to contact donors and no answer. They will not answer the phone. They will not answer their email. They probably don’t open our mail. And the silence is...
2 min read
“How are you telling your donors they are making a difference with their giving? No, really. How are you letting them know they are making an impact on the world?” Richard and I find ourselves asking...
2 min read
A few weeks ago I was in a meeting with a non-profit development team and their CEO. The CEO came into the meeting, sat down, and with a big smile on her face, said, “Team, I want us to dream big. I...
3 min read
It never fails. The MGO is stuck in his relationship with the donor. He can’t seem to get her engaged. He even knows what the donor is interested in, but nothing seems to be working. So I ask: “Did...
