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Category Archives: Philanthropy
Sorting Through the Stacks, Giving where I can.
Being a philanthropic contrarian, I give most of my smaller donations in response to direct mail the Tuesday BEFORE Thanksgiving, a week prior to Giving Tuesday. Why? I am usually home from the road, and like to de-clutter my stacks of … Continue reading
Some Concerns about Facebook’s Donation Platform.
This new thing is showing up on my FB feed. It looks like a happy thing, should be a happy thing. My friends asking their friends to donate to non-profits. For things that matter. For birthdays. For legitimate organizations, vital … Continue reading
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
Reconsidering the Racist Donor.
I’ve had two different bosses over the years share the same response when questioned about the ethical implications of accepting this or that donation, “You know, there is cocaine on every dollar bill.” Which is to say that our job … Continue reading
Posted in Philanthropy
6 Comments
Raise Cash. Save Lives. Embrace the Major Gifts Buddy System.
I was with a non-profit Executive Director not too long ago, who had this observation about building relationships with the organization’s key supporters, “I feel strongly that fundraising staff shouldn’t meet with our biggest donors, since they won’t stay around … Continue reading
Posted in Cultural Entrepreneurship, Fundraising, Philanthropy
Tagged Buddy System, Major Gifts, Philanthropy
4 Comments
How (not) to Hire a Development Director
Summer is always a hot time for hiring, as fiscal years wrap up and professionals look to make their next career moves, or are bounced out for not meeting expectations. This is a particularly challenging time to find fundraising talent, … Continue reading
Posted in Philanthropy
12 Comments
Towards a True Professionalism in Fundraising
I asked this question a year or so ago, and others are starting to ask as well, is fundraising a profession? Compared to accounting, with a similar emphasis on revenue, we cannot really say yes to that question. We lack … Continue reading
Posted in Philanthropy
5 Comments
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
Donor Centered Fundraising Is Not The Real Problem.
I’ve read, re-read, and then read a third and fourth time Vu Le’s recent broadside against the donor centered fundraising model and its moral limitations. Please study it if you haven’t already, for the issues raised are fundamental to our industry, … Continue reading
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
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