by Jeff Schreifels | May 13, 2024 | Mission | Mission, Passions and Interests, Philanthropy
If I had a nickel for every time I’ve sat with either an Executive Director or Development Director who said it’s hard for them to raise money because their mission isn’t about helping to cure cancer or feed hungry children, I’d be incredibly wealthy. The idea that...
by Richard Perry | Feb 5, 2024 | Donor Concerns, Impact Reporting, Trust, Unrestricted Giving | Fundraising, Impact, Non-Profits, Philanthropy, Relationships, Stress
Donors worry too much about how their money will be spent. That’s the growing sentiment of many progressive non-profits. Recently, I read a January 2024 Special Report in The Economist, No-strings philanthropy is giving charities more decision-making power, that...
by Jeff Schreifels | Nov 1, 2023 | Events, Fundraising, Fundraising Events, Philanthropy, Return on Investment, Strategy | Events, Fundraising, Non-Profits, Philanthropy, Return on Investment, Strategic Plans
For a long time, hosting donor events and fancy galas was the be-all and end-all of fundraising. But in our post-pandemic world, it’s hard to argue that they serve anything more than a publicity function. Even before the pandemic showed how unreliable events are as a...
by Jeff Schreifels | Sep 15, 2023 | Development Team, Donor Pipeline, Organization Structure, Strategy, Systems, Teamwork | Donor-Centered, Events, Fundraising, Non-Profits, Philanthropy, Pipeline Development, Strategic Plans, Structure, Teamwork
It’s not surprising. We are so into ourselves that we forget what fundraising all is about. We are so regimented in our thinking that we lose sight of donors. What am I talking about? The pervasive need that non-profits have to turn a fundraising strategy into a...
by Richard Perry and Jeff Schreifels | May 24, 2023 | Communication, Donor Communication, Storytelling | Communication, Mission, Philanthropy, Storytelling
Over the past four decades, I have watched the interplay between fundraising communications based on facts and information, versus messaging that uses human and emotional terms. It has been a fascinating journey. One where all my early certainty about what is needed...
by Robert Shafis | Mar 22, 2023 | Asking, Donor Conversations, Donor Relations, Philanthropy, Planned Giving, Planned Giving Officer | Asking, Communication, Cultivation, Curiousity, Donor Conversation, Permission-Based Asking, Philanthropy, Planned giving
“How many of your donors have made a planned gift?” A question like this, or really anything related to “planned giving,” strikes terror into your heart and the hearts of every other fundraiser I know, especially those who are not planned giving officers. The concept...