By Two Blog Contributors on January 29, 2014
#1
The Ethics of Percentage-Based Compensation for Grant Writers – Part I
by Lynn deLearie.
Not too long ago, I met with a prospective client to discuss helping them start a grant program for their organization. As we were concluding the meeting, the question of compensation came up, and I was asked if I would accept a percentage of grant income that I raised.
#2
Tracking The Progress Of A Fundraising Program – Part I
by Tony Poderis
I thought that I had heard all there was ever to hear from beleaguered development professionals whose bosses are constantly on them for “not bringing in enough money.”
By Tony Poderis on November 5, 2013
On first reaction, you might think that title would evoke a “Ya think?” response. Not so fast. Too often, those seeking “major gifts” for those major campaigns, settle for what are really small gifts, not at all in keeping with the size and scope of the donations needed to meet those larger goals. While an […]
By Hank Lewis, MA, CFRM on October 8, 2013
A participant on a listserve raised the question: “What skills or personal qualities make one competent to ‘make the ask’ when meeting with a) an individual and b) a corporate representative?” Because I have some very strong feelings/opinions about the issue, and didn’t want to be angered/frustrated/annoyed by that discussion, I didn’t read the rest […]
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 […]
By Hank Lewis, MA, CFRM 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 […]
By Hank Lewis, MA, CFRM on February 19, 2013
A Reader wrote: “Even after 18 years in development, and earning the CFRE credential, I still have a hard time making the mental adjustment from thinking about our clients’ and organization’s needs to thinking about the needs of the donor. And it’s a totally foreign concept to my Executive Director. “I also have difficulty understanding […]
By Hank Lewis, MA, CFRM on November 13, 2012
Every nonprofit must have its own set of policies that cover all areas of service and operation; and, those policies must be written based on the circumstances and needs of that organization. First, you need to have policies in place to “regulate” what your organization will do with all gifts – cash, stock, in-kind, bequests, […]
By Hank Lewis, MA, CFRM on June 12, 2012
This posting is based on an email exchange asking about the relationship between bequests and Naming Opportunities (NOs). I have expanded on my responses in that exchange: With regrets, I do not have a set of generic naming policies that I can share. I would, however, be happy to suggest how you might structure such […]
By Hank Lewis, MA, CFRM on March 13, 2012
To stand, to be effective over the long term, a major gifts program needs all three legs: Leaders, Prospects and Involvement of both in the life of your organization. Leadership includes the organization’s CEO, Trustees and (often) key volunteers. It’s their role to define the funding need, take their case to the public, and identify, […]
By Hank Lewis, MA, CFRM on February 21, 2012
Responsible planning, in any economy, involves identifying sources of funding sufficient to ensure continuation/survival of the programs that satisfy the needs of the people and the communities you serve. Ensuring the funding of your programs requires that you minimize the risk of (again?) losing a large percentage of your income. According to “Giving USA 2011,” […]
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 ...]