By Hank Lewis, MA, CFRM on August 24, 2016
In considering the creation of a Corporate Solicitation Program (a CSP), the first questions I’d ask of a nonprofit is whether they realize that only five-percent of all “charitable” giving to nonprofits comes from corporations, and (considering “return-on-investment”) how much of their time, energy and assets do they want to dedicate to this effort? That […]
By Hank Lewis, MA, CFRM on January 15, 2013
I work for a non-profit membership society as advertising and marketing manager, a position that falls under the umbrella of the development office. I am responsible for the advertising in our member publications and on our web site, and for selling sponsorships to local and national corporations. I am having a difficult time separating out […]
By Hank Lewis, MA, CFRM on October 16, 2012
This is an update/revision of a posting that appeared in October, 2010 In my 30+ years as a fundraising consultant, I’ve seen corporate fundraising done by staff and/or volunteers, with a consultant advising/teaching/guiding; and, I’ve seen a “consultant” doing the fundraising from the corporations on behalf of the NPO. In both cases, it always created […]
By Tony Poderis on February 7, 2012
We should (and usually do) work hard to make our best possible case for support to corporations … wanting them to know as much as possible about us. But an equally important issue is, “What do we know about them?” I was recently thinking about the extent, the depth, to which we have to know […]
By Hank Lewis, MA, CFRM on September 13, 2011
An email asked if I know of any resources for designing an “Ask Package” The writer explained: “I’ve found lots of general rules such as ‘include your mission statement’ and ‘specifically outline what their donation will cover’ but I can’t find any templates for designing one. Are there any websites you could recommend? “We’re a […]
By Hank Lewis, MA, CFRM on October 12, 2010
Keeping in mind that only about 5% of all non-governmental giving to nonprofits comes from corporations, you’ll want to use your time and resources cost-effectively. That means not trying to get funding from every corporation that comes to mind. So, first, make a (wish) list of all those corporations, and then gather the material you […]
By Hank Lewis, MA, CFRM on October 8, 2010
In considering the creation of a corporate solicitation program (a CSP), the first questions I’d ask of a nonprofit is whether they realize that only five-percent of all “charitable” giving to nonprofits comes from corporations, and (considering “return-on-investment”) how much of their time, energy and assets do they want to dedicate to this effort? Whether […]
By Hank Lewis, MA, CFRM on October 5, 2010
A thread in a listserve in which I participate addressed the question(s) of Creating-and-Implementing and Finding-and-Compensating a Consultant to help with a Corporate Solicitation Program. Interestingly, the latter issue stimulated most of the responses/comments, with little attention being paid to the former. So, I’ll address the “more popular” issue first – compensating the “consultant” … […]
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 ...]