Category Archives: Fundraising
The Fenn School: A Youth In Philanthropy Case Study
The Fenn School, located in Concord MA, is a private, independent day school for boys in grades 4-9. In 2006, the Foundation for MetroWest brought its signature Youth in Philanthropy (YIP) program to the Fenn School. (Prior to that, it had been running a privately-funded giving program.) Read More
Fundraising Q/A: How can we raise money faster?
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
Fundraising Q/A: What do you think about debt as a funding source?
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
How to Seal the Deal
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
Fundraising Q&A: How do you measure performance?
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
How To: Fundraising Planning
“Failing to plan is planning to fail.” That adage, with some variations, is attributed to both Winston Churchill and Benjamin Franklin. General Eisenhower added: “Plans are nothing, planning is everything.” We agree that planning really is more about the process than the output. Read More
What is your worst fundraising story?
I have a few of those! As I was wincingly recalling them, I realized what they had in common – jerks. Most of the people I have encountered were quite wonderful, but running into a jerk or two is inevitable. What to do? Read More
Fundraising Q&A: What should we be looking for in a development director?
As with many things, the short answer is “it depends.” Your fundraising strategy, organizational complexity, and donor base all have implications for the personal characteristics, skill sets and experience that you’re looking for in your chief fundraiser. Read More
Fundraising How To: Sausage making or friend-raising?
Some fundraisers take a sausage-making approach. Haul out the gift pyramid, and grind through these steps exactly, using these tools and methods, they say. Others take what, at best, can be called friend-raising. (At worst, it’s more like a lamprey eel.) Latch onto someone wealthy, and hang on until they give (up), they say. Both are exaggerations of elements that are both necessary for effective fundraising: process and relationships. Read More
Be proud, you’re not begging
“How can you do fundraising? It’s so unpleasant.” Have you been asked that? I have, more than once. Many nonprofit volunteers and directors themselves will say they hate asking people, especially their peers, for money. My response is that I’m proud of the fundraising work I do. I’m not asking for myself. I’m asking for a cause I believe in. And I’m helping donors accomplish their philanthropic and personal goals. I wouldn’t do it otherwise. Read More