2 min read
Let me be straight with you – I'm worried. I'm worried because I see too many good fundraisers getting distracted by the wrong things. And right at the top of that list is this obsession with donor...
3 min read
A three-part series to start the New Year right I love starting off a new year with goals, resolutions, and new ways of thinking. I love being inspired and pumped for the year ahead. In thinking...
3 min read
You know that when a donor gives a gift, your first job is to say thank you, as quickly as possible. Amazingly, colleagues in our industry (including Richard and myself) have written, conferenced,...
2 min read
One thing that’s difficult for me to do is to focus on the positive things people do. Jeff and my wife both tell me regularly that I am too problem-oriented. There is good and bad news to this...
2 min read
If your non-profit has done more than two capital campaigns in its history, it’s most likely because you don’t have a strong major gift program and/or you’re using it as a crutch not to develop...
4 min read
I was told about this experiment back in 1986, and it has stuck with me all these years. A teacher was given false information about the IQ and abilities of her classroom students. This changed her...
3 min read
I recently re-read an article in the Washington Post on the new phone etiquette. Their hot take? “Text first and never leave a voice mail.” And while I get the sentiment behind that, it’s not...
3 min read
You just had a meeting or phone call with a donor, and it went well. Until you said something that you think landed wrong. The donor didn’t say anything, but the “air” felt different.
2 min read
OK, not as catchy as Katy Perry’s 2008 debut single, but hopefully it got your attention!
3 min read
Right now, in this moment, you have donors in your caseload who could give transformational gifts. But they’re not giving those gifts right now because no one has taken the time to see them, dream...
