Nearly every big ask in my career as a staffer and consultant – whether it be an ask for a lead gift or a key leadership position – started with a no.
For example:
Would you and your family consider a lead gift of $____ for this campaign? No.
Would you consider serving as a chair for this campaign? No.
It wasn’t fun to hear, but it didn’t mean the end of the relationship, just a change in strategy. What is the next step after the no? Do you move on? Or do you re-approach in a new way?
Topics: Fundraising, How To Ask, Annual Fundraising, Fear, Giving, Making The Ask
One of our axioms is “Keep learning, stewarding, and sharing.” We’re big believers in the power of books.
Sure, we’ve got a few good suspense and historical fiction novels on our bedside tables, but today we’d like to share a few non-fiction gems that have inspired us for work – and life.
Topics: Book Club, Nonprofit Management, Goal Setting, Big L Leadership, Axiom, DBD Axiom, Communication, Productivity, Time Management, Happiness
What will the impact of AI be on your work? How can you use AI tools to streamline your donor communications? What even is ChatGPT? All of these are legitimate questions that nonprofit leaders are tackling. Consider this a primer to jumpstart your own usage of this technology.
Topics: Fundraising, Donor Communications, Fundraising Campaign, Productivity, Time Management
Do your board members regularly ask inquisitive and challenging questions? Does your board have a culture that promotes dialogue and debate?
An often-overlooked strategy of effective boards is to create and/or nurture a true culture of inquiry. Great boards engage members in a way that truly enlists their collective skill sets, thoughts, and differences of opinion. Dialogue with debate is a great thing to have in board meetings. Open discussions that include diverse perspectives position the board to make the best choices.
Topics: Culture, Board Management, Collaboration, Leadership & Boards, board governance
We raised $5.7 million.
OR
We raised $5.7 million!
Why does one character change that statement so much?
Topics: Leadership, Goal Setting, Mission, Goals, Financial Development, Vision, strategic planning, Metrics
How many times have you been told (or said) this: “It’s a board member’s responsibility to fundraise”?
Staff say: “Hey board members, fundraising is an expectation”. Then, when many board members don’t fundraise, staff bang their heads against the wall.
Rinse and frustratingly repeat.
What if the world of professional golf could teach us something about how to handle this seemingly unsolvable problem?
Topics: Philanthropy, Fundraising, Culture Of Philanthrophy, Board Leadership
As the nonprofit world continues to move out of the pandemic recovery stage to the “new normal” and economic uncertainty, we find ourselves in changing times in every area of fundraising. Grant makers are no different. Many are re-evaluating their own models of giving and looking to change the way they invest in communities. Some are even going so far as to forgo formal line-item budgets in applications and traditional written applications all together and are asking nonprofit partners to solicit requests through a variety of channels including virtual presentations, videos and Q&A sessions.
Development professionals know that during times of change and transition, it is more important than ever to stay focused on best practices. In the foundation world we know these to be:
While we keep best practices at the forefront of our work, it doesn't mean there’s not room for creativity within each practice.
Topics: Fundraising, How To Ask, grant writing
The concept of being “data driven” has taken the nonprofit industry by storm. Data’s ability to be objective and serve as a tool to focus energy and attention can be transformative to nonprofit organizations. Using data well means you can be the best steward of your resources and increase your impact in whatever critical area you support.
Therefore, nonprofits often dive in to using data, and once they start it can be hard to stop. More and more “what if we had [insert metric]” scenarios come to mind and before you know it one “basic” dashboard contains over 30 metrics. Success, right?
We need to stop and recognize a core concept when it comes to working with metrics. Metrics in their simplest form are quantitative representations of your work.
Topics: Fundraising, Dashboard, Metrics
Recently, I attended a volunteer celebration for a local public school district. The volunteers for the year were treated to a reception before the Board of Directors meeting, which included a performance from the honor band. The staff and board thanked and recognized the volunteers for their service throughout the evening. Students were also celebrated, which was a great way to incorporate the impact of the volunteers’ service and demonstrate their value to the organization.
This celebration reminded me that in addition to traditional nonprofits, many other organizations benefit from volunteer service, including schools, athletic teams, and medical care facilities. No matter where a volunteer is choosing to spend their time, it is important we celebrate them.
Topics: Leadership, Volunteer, Volunteer Appreciation, Nonprofit Management, Nonprofit Leadership, Volunteers
According to the latest report from the Fundraising Effectiveness Project (FEP), year-over year growth in contributed support fell nearly 2% during the final quarter of 2022.
Topics: Nonprofit Management, Nonprofit Leadership, Donor Management, Donor Prospect, Data Management