Meet the Blog’s Host
Hank Lewis with Development Consultant Associates has over thirty years as a fundraising consultant and is a specialist in Board and Leadership Development, Capital Campaign, Bequest Program and Major Gifts. [Read more ...]Fundraising Basics: Concepts & Philosophy
You Can’t Just Ask For Money !!
Well… actually you can, if you’re asking your friends and relatives; but, if you ask foundations, corporations, major donors or the general public, you’d likely be wasting your time and resources. Sometimes, especially with new nonprofits, people don’t realize that the mere existence of an organization is not sufficient justification to ask others for money. [...]
What Do They Do With My Contributions??
Some time ago, I got a note from a reader asking, pretty much, that question: My question to you is — I have donated to a small organization, for a year, in my town to help poor children. I have never received an explanation on how the money is used. Should I expect that and [...]
Professional Fund Raiser vs. Fundraising Professional
Last week I went off on “professional fund raisers,” and, in passing, referred to Fundraising Professionals. I think I made it clear that I was opposed to the use of the vast majority of those “professional fund raisers” who raise the money for you. And, now, to clarify the differences between the two, and the [...]
Professional Fund Raisers & Up Front Fees
A note from a reader: Hank, I am a volunteer for a nonprofit organization that has been approached by “professional fund raisers” that are looking for “up-front” fees to raise money for us. In my experience, and I have paid out thousands of dollars to these individuals that promise you the moon and when it [...]
“Philanthropy,” An Often Misused Term
I have a BIG problem with the word/concept of “philanthropy” as it is often misused in the nonprofit/fundraising world. Too often, people in the nonprofit sector equate the terms fundraising, development, charity and contributions with the concept of philanthropy. They are not synonymous. Philanthropy, in its literal definition, refers to “love of mankind/humankind. In the [...]
A New Nonprofit, A New Board, and The Grants Process
A reader wrote: We are a new non-profit, with a mission to promote health and wellness. We will likely be able to obtain a BCBS grant, but we’re now hearing that we must get board approval prior to its writing so that the board can approve the budget. Is this common practice? Our response: The [...]
Fundraising: If You Don’t Ask, You Don’t Get
A couple of thoughts to start the new year: The Fundraising Appeal Donors tend to be (highly) selective in deciding whose name goes on the payee line of their checks. Non-Profit Organizations, therefore, must do all they can to get donors to want to give to them. At most times, especially in a “less than [...]
Strategic & Development Planning: Love and Marriage
Strategic Planning Every nonprofit must periodically assess its success in pursuing its mission, and must evaluate its progress toward achieving its long-term goals and objectives. Those assessments and evaluations can only proceed if an organization has clearly established (and periodically) confirms its reason for being, and has established benchmarks by which it can judge its [...]
Staffing The Development Office
The Senior Development Person functions in four broad areas: • Long- and Short-Term Planning Working with Leadership • Operational Planning and Analysis Working with Leadership, Administration and Staff to identify and select the (marketing, public relations and development) programs that will best address established goals and objectives. • Coordinating Development Activities with those of the other depts. • Program [...]
The Role of The Development Office
The Development Office and its staff functions with-and-through a volunteer cadre, and: • Participates in the strategic planning process to address the feasibility of attaining specific long-range and short-term funding goals. • Is responsible for working with Leadership and Administration in planning and implementing the activities needed to generate the funding required to meet the goal established [...]
