Reluctant Leaders
April 11, 2018
By Thom Peters April is National Volunteer Month. Over the next few weeks the Donor By Design Team will be reflecting on the impact volunteers have on our communities and our world. The series begins with Thom reflecting on the qualities of “reluctant leaders.” Dagnabbit! It’s supposed to be spring but there is cold wet […]
Fundraising Foolishness
April 4, 2018
In the spirit of the recent April Fool’s Day, the DBD team compiled a list of foolish fundraising myths. Let’s debunk them together. Many hands make light work. Maybe true if you’re building a trans-continental railroad, the fact is that nearly 80% of dollars raised comes from less than 20% of individuals. (Actually, we’re seeing […]
Don’t Go It Alone
March 29, 2018
By Michele Goodrich This month, the Donor By Design Team is discussing campaign readiness: the things that (should) happen before you begin a major fundraising campaign. Today, Michele Goodrich illustrates the benefits of getting a wide team of people involved in the capital planning process. For many nonprofit professionals, a capital campaign is a rare […]
Facts Tell, But Stories Sell
March 27, 2018
By Dan Maier This month, the Donor By Design Team is discussing campaign readiness: the things that (should) happen before you begin a major fundraising campaign. Today, Dan Maier illustrates the importance of being able to share your vision in a compelling way to prospective donors. A wise volunteer’s story recently reminded me of what […]
Recruiting the Right Leaders
March 23, 2018
By Jon Simons and Sara Luke This month, the Donor By Design Team is discussing campaign readiness: the things that (should) happen before you begin a major fundraising campaign. Today, Jon and Sara share the early steps in recruiting your Leadership Cabinet. Recently, we touched on what you should look for as you build your […]
Who Should Lead?
March 20, 2018
By Jon Simons and Sara Luke This month, the Donor By Design Team is discussing campaign readiness: the things that (should) happen before you begin a major fundraising campaign. Today, Jon and Sara share what you should look for as you build your Leadership Cabinet. We say it all the time on this blog and […]
Who Really Cares?
March 16, 2018
By Jon Simons This month, the Donor By Design Team is discussing campaign readiness: the things that (should) happen before you begin a major fundraising campaign. Today, Jon poses an important question as you identify prospects for your capital campaign. When planning a capital campaign, we work closely with our clients to identify a Top […]
Privilege of Purpose
March 13, 2018
By Bruce Berglund One of the most important decisions you will make as you embark on any fundraising effort is the recruitment and selection of volunteer leadership. One of my recent client campaigns had identified a potential campaign chair who was very successful in the marketplace. He had huge work responsibilities and an even a […]
Are Your Leaders Ready To Tell Your Story?
March 8, 2018
By Jan Brogdon This month, the Donor By Design Team is discussing campaign readiness: the things that (should) happen before you begin a major fundraising campaign. Today, Jan shares how important it is that leaders are able to share your story with passion. He was such a strong volunteer, often challenging and even a […]
The Anti-Decider
March 6, 2018
I’ll preface this blog by saying it’s a bit of a tough-love message. Learning about the “Anti-Decider” has been a hard lesson for me over the years. And I confess, I still occasionally give my most earnest advice on this subject…followed in some regrettable cases with the kind truth of, “I warned you.” My counsel […]
What Comes Before the Campaign?
March 2, 2018
By Jim Mellor This month, the Donor By Design Team is discussing campaign readiness: the things that (should) happen before you begin a major fundraising campaign. Today, Jim asks the question that you should ask yourself before your next campaign: are you ready? Dreaming of that new facility? I bet you’re busy planning the capital […]
February Shout Outs
February 26, 2018
By the Donor By Design Team As we come to the end of February, we want to recognize several clients who have reached important milestones in their campaigns. We always tell our clients that campaigns take a long time – it’s important to celebrate as you go! Read on for some celebrating with several great […]
How to Ask
February 22, 2018
By the Donor By Design Team When people think of fundraising, they usually are thinking about The Ask – and that can be very intimidating. Today, we’re digging into the archives for some of our best advice on How to Ask. Earning the Right to Ask The one factor that most often explains the […]
Telling (and Listening) Your Better Story
February 14, 2018
By Bruce Berglund When people think of fundraising, they usually are thinking about The Ask – and that can be very intimidating. This month, the Donor By Design Team is taking on How to Ask. Today, Bruce delves into a better way to approach the ask. Fundraising. Asking for money. These words drive many volunteers […]
Can I Get A Burger Refill?
February 9, 2018
By Jason Fry When people think of fundraising, they usually are thinking about The Ask – and that can be very intimidating. This month, the Donor By Design Team is taking on How to Ask. Today, Jason talks about the strategy of seeking out rejection. What really gets in the way of us making the […]
Preparing For The Ask
February 6, 2018
By Robin Jordan When people think of fundraising, they usually are thinking about The Ask – and that can be very intimidating. This month, the Donor By Design Team is taking on How to Ask. Today, Robin reminds us to take the time to prepare our volunteers, and ourselves. In the course of preparing for […]
Trust Your Donors
February 1, 2018
By Peggy Vinson When people think of fundraising, they usually are thinking about The Ask – and that can be very intimidating. This month, the Donor By Design Team is taking on How to Ask. Today, Peggy urges us to trust our donors… and the process. We all know it’s important to take time to […]
January Shout Outs
January 29, 2018
By the Donor By Design Team January is nearly to a close, but we wanted to take a moment to recognize clients who’ve reached important milestones in their campaigns. Whether they are at the beginning of their campaign or celebrating the final ribbon cutting, each of these organizations has shown vision and perseverance as they […]
Resolution: Permission to Say No
January 25, 2018
By Sara Luke This January, the DBD Team is making resolutions to help us be better. Today Sara gives herself permission to say “no.” A sign-up sheet is my nemesis. I shudder when I see the well-intentioned church member coming toward me, arm outstretched. And I should know better than to open the email begging […]
Resolution: Become Richer, Smarter and More Emotionally Intelligent
January 22, 2018
By Mike Bussey This January, the DBD Team is making resolutions to help us be better. Today Mike offers a bold resolution… and a straightforward way to make it happen. How’s this for a bold resolution? Let’s all become richer, smarter and more emotionally intelligent. The good news regarding this resolution is that there […]
Resolution: Trust Your Volunteers
January 18, 2018
By Thom Peters This January, the DBD Team is making resolutions to help us be better. Today Thom tells us why we need to resolve to trust our volunteers. I love working with volunteers and, in the right circumstances, I love volunteering. For the past five years I have been a part of a […]
What Tax Laws Change… and What They Don’t
January 17, 2018
By the Donor By Design Team We’re taking a break in our Resolution Series to consider the implications of the recent U.S. tax law changes on non-profit fundraising. Both clients and donors alike have been asking us what the changes mean for them. Jim Mellor just published a DBD Field Notes focused on an unexpected […]
Resolution: Fix it Before it Breaks
January 15, 2018
By Lora Dow This January, the DBD Team is making resolutions to help us be better. Today Lora suggests that maybe we should resolve to fix things before they break. So much of fundraising work is cyclical. Annual campaigns, events, United Way campaigns, etc. all combine to give our yearly calendar a rhythm and sense […]
Resolution: 1 – 2 – 3!
January 10, 2018
By Jon Simons This January, the DBD Team is making resolutions to help us be better. Today Jon gives us a short and sweet reminder to stay focused and have greater impact in the new year. In the spirit of my overarching goal to simplify in 2018, I have set an intention that I […]
