Six New Year’s Resolutions that will Change Your Life — #4 Make Mistakes
I can hear you now. “Have you lost your mind, Jeff?” No, I haven’t. And, yes, I’m asking you to make mistakes in 2012. And, to be more blunt, I’m telling you that if you don’t make mistakes, then you’re not really doing your job. “If you have the guts to keep...
What to do with “Tweeners”—The Overarching Principles
Okay, so a quick review. “Tweeners” are those donors who give more than the average direct-response donor yet not quite enough to consider them a major donor. Currently, they’re in your direct-response or annual fund (you know I hate that term) program and their...
The Monopoly Mentality — Why it Will Kill Major Gifts
I often run into fundraisers who somehow get it in their heads that “their” donors only support their organization. Now I know if they were being honest and really thought about it, they would admit that this is not true, but emotionally they act like their donors...
Even Fortune Cookies can Teach us About Major Gifts
“A friend in the market is better than money in the purse.” This was the message of my fortune cookie at P.F. Changs on Sunday afternoon. Richard and I were having lunch and what’s weird is that we were talking about this very subject all during the meal. The subject...
Why the Chronicle is Wrong!
I think I’ve had it. Just recently the Chronicle of Philanthropy published its “Top 400” non-profits. No, not “Top 400” in effectiveness, but in total revenue. I can’t wait for the day that actually happens. What really bugged me was one of the articles that went with...TOP RATED PODCAST
Twice monthly, Richard and Jeff address current topics and classic problems in major gift fundraising.
