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Category Archives: Fundraising
“The Cost of Your Ticket” is No Way to Raise Money.
Building a relevant case for support is, of course, a fundraising fundamental. The most necessary elements to fundraising are 1. A need, 2. A solution, and 3. A Case for Support connecting the two. That’s Fundraising 101 and half the battle. … Continue reading
Posted in Fundraising, Performing Arts, Philanthropy
45 Comments
Monday After the Gala.
Fall is upon us and in addition to football and PSL, it is High Gala Season from Albany to Alaska. I hope yours is a terrific success, filled with More Fun and More Sharing. I love Galas more than many … Continue reading
Posted in Fundraising, Performing Arts, Philanthropy
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When fundraisers Blow It.
I often query fundraising candidates with, “Describe a time where you blew it with a donor.” It is a telling response when the candidate cannot immediately point to a specific time where she made a mess of a solicitation or relationship with a … Continue reading
Posted in Fundraising, Leadership, Philanthropy
Tagged Blowing It, Donors, Fundraising, Philanthropy, The Whiny Donor
1 Comment
All the Bosses. The Difficult Truth of Non-profit Turnover.
I grew up in the military. This has meant a lasting (for a degenerate liberal) respect for our Armed Forces and no forgiveness in my heart for leaders who send our soldiers abroad for folly. I cut the grass and … Continue reading
Posted in Board Development, Fundraising, Leadership
Tagged board development, non-profit leadership
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The Dumbest of all the Non-Profit Dumbness.
I am a frugal person. Spending money gives me heartburn, except on artisanal pork products, concert tickets, international travel and bicycles. I have t-shirts from the 90s. I drove the same Toyota Matrix for 10 years, past the point when … Continue reading
Posted in Fundraising, Leadership, Philanthropy
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Our best (fundraising) thing. The Wonderful, Marvelous, Misunderstood Annual Fund.
It is June 30, the fiscal year end for many a non-profit and most of my clients. It is a sentimental time, thinking back on the past 12 months and the accomplishments: the impossible goals, the planning, the case development … Continue reading
Questions Too Squishy to Discuss
A fellow recently gave $400,000,000 to start some high-minded new initiative at Harvard. That’s an awful lot of cheese, handed over to the wealthiest and most selective university in the world. And our man gets to claim all of it … Continue reading
Posted in Board Development, Fundraising, Leadership, Philanthropy
Tagged Fundraising, Harvard, Philanthropy
3 Comments
#Inspiration in Baltimore.
Not to long ago an arts administrator colleague of mine described engagement i the community this way, “If your concert hall burned down, how would you reach the community for the year or two it took to replace it? That’s … Continue reading
Posted in Fundraising, Leadership, Performing Arts, Philanthropy
Tagged Baltimore Symphony
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The Ugly Baby. Truth About Your Sponsorship Recognition
The Arts are a terrific opportunity for corporate involvement: access to artists and VIPS, exposure to a well-educated (and generally wealthy) demographic, hospitality for both customers and employees. In terms of return on investment corporate sponsorship is just about the most … Continue reading
Posted in Fundraising, Performing Arts, Sponsorship
Tagged arts sponsorship; banner recognition; NCAA
3 Comments
The time I paid $450 for this Frameable Certificate.
I am often asked by younger professionals about the Certified Fund Raising Professional designation, “Do you think it is worth it to get my CFRE?” they ask me. “Only if your employer is paying for it.” Why? For the initial … Continue reading
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