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Category Archives: Leadership
Hiring Major Gift Officers is Almost Impossible. Be Your Own MGO.
The most challenging position in any fundraising program is the Major Gift Officer. The most difficult to hire position in any fundraising program is also the Major Gift Officer. Why? In a typical non-profit, the MGO has sizable responsibility for … Continue reading
Neck Tattoos and Our Fundraising Future
I got to spend time in St. Louis recently at the Opera America conference, and it was terrific. It might be difficult to imagine a true diversity of age, ethnicity and background in the field of Opera, but there it … Continue reading
Posted in Fundraising, Leadership, Philanthropy
1 Comment
Hitting the Bullseye. On Preparation.
At breakfast in a hotel lobby not long ago, I watched a CEO, a sales director, and a project manager talk through the day ahead over oatmeal and watery coffee. Traveling alone most of the time, I am always interested … Continue reading
Posted in Board Development, Fundraising, Leadership, Philanthropy, Volunteers
2 Comments
Offer Some Encouragement (Today).
I got to hang out with my soul sister Renee Harness last week, talking leadership. If you want something magical to happen with your team, check out Harness Leadership (and thank me later). I was reminded of how beautiful leadership can … Continue reading
Get Off the Internet and Raise More Money.
It is much, much to easy to dump upon Development Directors in today’s non-profit environment. Yours is an almost impossible job, responsible for Herculean revenue targets but without the authority to set priorities and budgets. Add all the bosses in … Continue reading
Posted in Fundraising, Leadership, Philanthropy
5 Comments
Be the Asker. Seek the Connector.
Among the many daily challenges for the modern Development department is the care and feeding of fundraising volunteers. “Challenge”, though, does not even begin to describe the difficulty in recruiting, training, tasking, and stewarding the precious few souls willing and … Continue reading
Posted in Fundraising, Leadership, Philanthropy, Volunteers
Tagged Board Roles, Development Committee, Philanthropy
4 Comments
Some Observations about Your Board Meetings.
Whenever a non-profit colleague leaves a job, or is dismissed, and reaches out to me, the first thing I say is, “Well, at least you don’t have to go to the next Board Meeting” and that person’s spirits are immediately … Continue reading
Posted in Annual Fund, Board Development, Fundraising, Leadership, Philanthropy
Tagged board development, Board Meetings, Mission Moments
3 Comments
Confessions of an Introvert Fundraiser.
Someone wiser than me said, “A fool at 40 is a fool forever” and I believe that is true. So it was one afternoon approaching my 40th birthday that I said, out loud for the first time, “I am in … Continue reading
Posted in Fundraising, Leadership, Philanthropy
Tagged fundraising culture, introvert, Philanthropy
2 Comments
The Seven Virtues of High Achieving Fundraising Shops
I got to spend time in Omaha this week, one of America’s great philanthropic cities, and was happily reminded of the force for good that is a high functioning fundraising department. Show me a focused group of professionals devoted to … Continue reading
Posted in Annual Fund, Fundraising, Leadership, Philanthropy
Tagged Fundraising, non-profit leadership, Philanthropy, Virtues
6 Comments
The Seven Deadly Sins of Hapless Fundraising Shops
Labor Day is behind us, football has begun, and the time for actual work is now. Congrats, friends, it is fundraising season once again! I hope your shop is ready, with an actionable fundraising plan. Traveling to meet a new … Continue reading