Why do it and how can you do it better? In our experience, fundraising can be an extremely rewarding – yes, even fun! – experience. So, how can you do it better? Making sure you can answer the “four big questions” is essential, but so are donor-centered and entrepreneurial perspective, and attention to fundraising leadership. Read More
You may (or may not!) be referring to the hype around Nike co-founder Phil Knight’s $500 million challenge gift to Oregon Health & Science University. Some people seem to see it as a positive thing; it will boost philanthropy as a whole and attract new donors to a variety of causes, they say. But, others are worried. Personally, I think that fear of major donor poaching to be a little suspect, even whiny. How committed are they, if they’ll jump ship at the drop of a hat (or a few bucks)? How engaged are they in your work in general, and the work that their dollars are funding in particular? Are you communicating (remember – show and tell) the impact that your organization and their funds are having? Do they have concerns about management, or feel less than satisfied with their experience? The onus is on you to build and sustain the relationship. Read More
Crowdfunding basically involves collecting money from backers – the “crowd” – for a for- profit or nonprofit initiative, usually on an Internet platform.
There’s no denying that crowdfunding is hot. There are a variety of flavor of crowdfunding out there, and a lot of hype. In the nonprofit world, crowdfunding is more useful for a participative fundraising strategy (i.e., getting a lot of people to give a little something) than significant gift fundraising, I believe. I also must state the obvious: It ain’t free. As with any approach, you have to weigh the costs and the benefits. Read More
Faster isn’t always better, especially when it comes to soliciting major gifts. But, by sharpening your focus, you can improve your results and make your donors happier. Read More
A lot of organizations borrow money, but don’t forget – you have to pay it back! You’re just postponing the day of reckoning. You also have to be careful what you’re doing it for. Read More
It’s not a sexy topic, but the nitty-gritty of formalizing gift agreements is important. As the saying goes: “Nothing’s done ‘til it’s done, and even then it’s not done.” Don’t assume you have a deal until the prospect has actually signed the contract and the check clears. Only then does she officially become a “donor.” Read More
I can talk about that from both sides of the equation: the giving and the getting. Especially when it comes to a significant gift, a spouse and/or other family member often is involved. If there’s a family foundation, its staff will come into play as well. The fundraiser needs to determine who the real decision makers are, and be especially aware of who has veto power. Read More
Good question! Fundraising isn’t just about making that first ask, as we’ve said many a time. Your goal is to build a long and mutually satisfying relationship, but it is a moving target. Read More
How can you get a sense of whether there is a match between your organization’s mission and your prospect’s interests that could inspire a significant gift? Here are six questions you need to be able to answer. Read More
There has been a lot of work on that problem over the past few decades, but there still is no agreement on a common set of financial and social metrics for nonprofit organizations, and it can be somewhat fad-like. Here are some things to consider. Read More
