Small But Mighty
January 17, 2017
By Thom Peters This month, the Donor By Design Group is challenging you to take action, moving from resolutions to results. Today’s topic? Going small to go big. I used to be a “big church” guy. I liked the great music, theater, message, and classes. It excited me to see the impact we could have on […]
Passing the Baton
November 9, 2016
By Bruce Berglund During an election season we are constantly reminded of leadership transitions. Many of our clients are preparing for their own leadership transitions. Long-serving CEOs and CDOs are now retiring and welcoming the next wave of leadership to move their organizations boldly forward. We know that one of the most important fundraising axioms is […]
Reinvigorating Volunteer Teams
May 31, 2016
By Jan Brogdon In this series, the DBD Team will take a deeper look at some of the axioms we use when working with our clients. In today’s blog, Jan Brogdon reflects on our axiom: Boards Don’t Heal Themselves. During the middle of the most recent economic downturn, I sat in a very challenging Finance […]
Message in a Bottle
June 3, 2015
By Mike Bussey and Lora Dow Many nonprofit leaders want to begin an endowment development program, but are unsure of where to start. They don’t know who might be a good prospect in their community or among their past donors. How can you tell if someone has the resources and the desire to leave a […]
Foundational Relationships
March 9, 2015
By Peggy Vinson When you think about cultivating donors, getting to know them better and engaging them more deeply in your organization, do you include the leaders of the foundations that support you each year? Some of my favorite relationships have been with the leaders of the foundations who’ve supported my organization. I made a […]
Resolutions: What to Stop
January 28, 2014
By Michele Goodrich An article from the December 30, 2013 issue of the Chronicle of Philanthropy suggests an unconventional approach to New Year’s resolutions for nonprofit leaders. Instead of providing a list of things to add; it recommends things to stop doing. The list was compiled with input from experts in the nonprofit field and […]
Tankers and Pipelines
December 4, 2013
By Bruce Berglund As the organizations we have the privilege of serving prepare for major gift efforts like capital campaigns, endowment campaigns, and comprehensive campaigns, I find myself asking a new question: Are we setting out to build a campaign based on tanker trucks or pipelines? Tankers vs. pipelines Both of these metaphorical delivery methods […]
Three Signs
October 15, 2013
By Bruce Berglund Recently, my team got to hear Patrick Lencioni speak. He is as dynamic and funny in person as his books would lead you to expect. His topic, based on his book “The Three Signs of a Miserable Job,” got all of us talking later that evening. Thankfully, my team wasn’t talking about […]
What’s in a name?
September 10, 2013
By Michele Goodrich Recently, I read a newspaper article that caught my attention. It was about a donor’s outrage over a decision made by a local nonprofit organization. Two years ago, this donor (and former board member), contributed $800,000 to help the organization acquire and renovate a building to house one of their core services. […]
