While in Brazil recently, Howard gave a talk on entrepreneurship that included the inevitable “it’s not just…” reminder. Entrepreneurship isn’t just about start-ups, or technology based ventures, or small businesses, or crazed risk takers, or scoundrels. And, it’s not just for-profits. Nonprofits, we would argue, are the very definition of an entrepreneur, pursuing opportunities beyond the resources they currently control. Read More
We received a lot of great questions during our first G2G webinar. Here are three that Howard answers in detail. How can you avoid leaving too much money on the table by letting the donor decide the amount? Development managers say don’t list donors by name because they’re afraid of poaching. I say publish rather than hide. Who’s right? How can I not come across as a salesperson? Read More
Here are some more interesting questions fielded by Howard, at a recent virtual learning session. 1. What is the most common mistake that business people make when taking nonprofit leadership roles? 2. When making a presentation, is it better to focus on data, or photos and stories that elicit an emotional response? 3. What is the role of social media for communicating mission and asking for money? Read More
Some months ago, we introduced the touchstone of our “big picture approach” to fundraising – entity planning – and promised to talk more about its four major steps. In our October newsletter, we spoke about how to develop a powerful mission statement. The time has come to tackle the remaining three steps – determine resources required, specify economics, and identify financial sources and gaps. Read More
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
At a recent virtual learning session, Howard fielded several interesting questions from people engaged in a variety of philanthropic activities, worldwide. Here are two that we thought you might find interesting. Question 1: I’ve heard that once you get money from a large charitable foundation, it’s easier to get money from other people. They see it as a form of “due diligence.” Is that true? And, if so, is it okay to mention them by name? Read More
Shirley is wrapping up a course on self-publishing that she was asked to teach at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education. She used Getting to Giving, which was Howard’s first venture into the world of self-publishing, as a case study. Read More
Sometimes, nonprofits make the mistake of pursuing funding that they shouldn’t, or not saying “no” to gifts when they should. Read More
“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
When it comes to raising significant gifts, it’s about the journey, not just the destination. And it’s not a day trip; you need to pack a suitcase and whatever else you may need. You choose a travel companion, and plan your itinerary. There are waypoints, where you pause for rest, or provisions, or simply to enjoy the view. It’s a long and windy road, with ups and downs. Read More
