OORAH – What the Marines taught me about fundraising
This weekend I took a little vacation of sorts. I ran a marathon. The Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC. Running a marathon is exhausting, but also, reflective. For you see, you run for 26 miles. That is a long time on your feet…
Holy cow, fifty shades of fundraising consulting, which do you prefer?
Lately, I have been doing a lot of driving. And, as a result, a lot of thinking. I have clients all throughout the Northeast. And, sometimes, yes, the driving does get "old." But, then I sit back and reflect.
You see, there are many…
Culture of place and how it impacts fundraising campaigns
There is so much science behind fund development. You can study it, take courses in it, and read books on it. Campaigns have become honed regarding best practices; there are easy steps to put into place, materials to be created, and people to…
Love me or lose me – How donor communications can do both.
We often talk about banning jargon when we speak to others about our organisation. And, that is so needed. But, I would like to take it one step further, and say that we are not here to "educate" our donors about what we do.
They don't…
From here to minutia…Board of Directors and their committees
Ah, Board committees. Now, we get knee deeper into confusion. So, keeping the Board focused on governance is challenging work. Keeping the committees focused on governance seems at times almost impossible.
A few observations from the field.
Just…
Great expectations for Board Members
Last week, I noted how all-volunteer and small staffed organisations must engage in governance at the Board level. I pointed out that one of the first steps is to secure commitment to change. Some groups may not want to change and need to…
What running Mt. Washington taught me about fundraising
This past weekend, I embarked on an event that frightened me. Literally and figuratively.
You see, several months ago, I entered a lottery. And, the drawing was for a chance to run up Mt. Washington in the Mt. Washington Auto Road Race.…
Fundraising in the trenches, getting out of your funk!
Feeling listless, stressed, in a funk? Snap out of it!
I have been in the field of fundraising for a long time. And, I know that sometimes (maybe a lot of occasions), development work can be hard and draining, and sometimes you end up in…
Is your fear of asking causing you to make assumptions for your donors?
Let's cut to the chase. I know, and you know that one of the biggest things that stop us from being effective in our fundraising is fear. Good old, heart pumping, nail biting, fear.
Recently, I had a conversation with some folks, and I…
Is scarcity stopping you from asking for a major gift?
Do these phrases sound familiar to you?
"I never have enough money!"
"Money goes out faster than it comes in!"
"Money doesn't grow on trees!"
How often have we heard these phrases growing up? Well, if you were like me, probably a lot. As…
Let’s talk about YOU, not me!
Research has shown that people like to talk about themselves. And, there is a reason why. It stimulates areas of the brain. It makes them physically feel good to talk about themselves – stimulating the same areas in the brain that sex, cocaine,…
What does your body language say about you in fundraising?
Recently, I had some conversations with a former co-worker. Her outlook and atmosphere had changed so dramatically that I had pause and ask, what is different. Well, she set me on the course of all of her "research" on the importance of human…
