Getting That Derailed Fund-Raising Campaign Back On Track

By Tony Poderis on May 21, 2013

You can’t fix a problem in a campaign unless you know there is a problem !! We track progress in a fund-raising campaign to be able to identify problems in time to take corrective action. If at any point in the campaign it begins to look as if the ability to achieve the goal is [...]

[ Read More → ]

Write The Letter: Bequests II

By Tony Martignetti on May 16, 2013

Last month I introduced promotion of planned gifts with bequests. This month, I’m helping you write your direct mail letter.  If you can’t afford direct mail, don’t worry.  There are lots of other channels to promote charitable bequests and I’ll get to those. If you don’t plan a letter campaign, my tips will help you [...]

[ Read More → ]

What is a Fundraising/Development Consultant?

By Hank Lewis on May 14, 2013

This is a companion piece to my posting, Who/What is a Fundraising Consultant, from last year at this time. First, simply, a fundraising consultant is not someone who does “it” for you, and s/he is not an insider (i.e., staff, board, etc.). A fundraising/development consultant is (must be) “an objective outsider.” You can, for example, [...]

[ Read More → ]

Make your Grant Proposal Team into a Learning Organization!

By Jayme Sokolow on May 9, 2013

What is a Learning Organization? Modern nonprofits face unrelenting pressures to remain competitive with their federal agencies. One way to address these pressures is to create a special type of nonprofit grant proposal team – a learning organization that facilitates the learning of its members and continuously transforms itself. I was reminded of the importance [...]

[ Read More → ]

Development Director Job Description: Donor-Driven

By Tony Poderis on May 7, 2013

I recently came across a salary review I received while in my 18th year as Director of Development of The Cleveland Orchestra. It was written by an Executive Director who was just finishing his first year with us. I quote that Executive Director’s comments from his written review (which was extremely favorable and which was [...]

[ Read More → ]

What is a Grant Cover Letter and Why Should I Write One?

By Lynn deLearie on May 2, 2013

In my December 6th (2012) post, I introduced the third step in the four-step grantsmanship process: Grant Proposal Development; and I also briefly introduced the cover letter. This month’s Grants Posting will provide more information on what to include in a cover letter and why you should write one. I’ll start with recommendations from the [...]

[ Read More → ]

What Do You Call The Officer/Staff Person In-Charge of Raising Charitable Contributions?

By Hank Lewis on April 30, 2013

This posting by: Hank Lewis There are two steps to take in answering that question. The first is asking, “Who cares?” Isn’t what we call that person largely irrelevant? Isn’t that person going to do what has to be done, no matter his/her title? Definitely not !! We are greatly affected by how we are [...]

[ Read More → ]

Timeless Principles versus Technology, Why Workplace Giving Works

By Bill Huddleston on April 25, 2013

Workplace giving has been around for a long time.  Indeed, you can make the case that the person who invented workplace giving was Benjamin Franklin … but that’s an analysis for a different venue. The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) was established in 1961, and has been going strong for the past 52 years; and one [...]

[ Read More → ]

Creative Donor Recognition

By Hank Lewis on April 23, 2013

This posting by: Hank Lewis I Recently saw the heading on a listserve posting relating to naming an annual award after a donor. It started me thinking about the ways that a donor could be recognized for their support. (BTW, I didn’t read that posting, just to be sure that whatever I wrote wouldn’t be [...]

[ Read More → ]

Start Promoting Planned Giving: Bequests I

By Tony Martignetti on April 18, 2013

This posting by: Tony Martignetti. Last month I gave you two things you need in place to make Planned Giving feasible. Now we’re ready to start promoting your inaugural Planned Giving program. Who are the prospects? Your best prospects are:  55 and over  loyal, consistent donors, irrespective of dollar amount  board members, [...]

[ Read More → ]
Next »