By Hank Lewis, MA, CFRM on August 10, 2016
Continuing from last week’s posting…. As it will not always be appropriate to run down the prepared list of questions with every interviewee, the interviewer must be able to “read people,” must be able to know when to forget the prepared questionnaire and just chat with Mr./Ms. Jones about the NPO’s issues and possible futures. […]
By Hank Lewis, MA, CFRM on August 3, 2016
Want to create a Major Gifts Program, a Bequest Program, a Special Event, a Recognition Program, a Capital Campaign ?? The most important information you’d want to have is whether your (prospective) constituents/donors will agree with what you want to do, and what would motivate those folks to want to participate in and/or support your […]
By Hank Lewis, MA, CFRM on March 15, 2016
There is an old saying in the development field, that a person soliciting a major gift can only ask for a gift equal to or less than the gift he/she has made … with three exceptions: a person of the clergy, a prominent community figure/politician and a nonprofit Executive Director (or whatever the title held […]
By Hank Lewis, MA, CFRM on February 18, 2016
I got a note, recently, from a retired friend/colleague, as follows: Our Retirement Community’s leadership has put out several RFPs to local consultants for a planned Capital Campaign Feasibility Study. The “cattle call” will be one day in March when the consultants will make pitches to several Community officials, none having much knowledge of capital […]
By Hank Lewis, MA, CFRM on January 27, 2016
For the last 60-70 years, a Feasibility Study has been “required” before planning and/or implementing any major fundraising effort, and its basic concept and structure hasn’t changed in all that time; and, it is my contention that the Feasibility Study is not only obsolete, it’s counter-productive. Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that […]
By Hank Lewis, MA, CFRM on November 11, 2015
A participant in a listserve observed that ”the realm of ‘planning’ is (often) made infinitely more complicated because different words are used to mean the same thing and the same words are used to mean different things.” Indeed, there is great diversity in the use of terms like “visioning,” “mission” and “strategic planning.” So I […]
By Hank Lewis, MA, CFRM on September 23, 2015
Development Program Evaluation is not limited to comparing the dollars raised “this” year to previous years’ totals. It’s about being sure that each/every element of your “program” is performing as desired/required … to ensure adequate funding for your services, now and in the future. The performance of a Development Program is evaluated based on Donor […]
By Hank Lewis, MA, CFRM on September 16, 2015
As previously noted, Donor Acquisition, requires an investment … often, a significant investment. But with many nonprofits finding finances a little tight, the question often is, “Where do we get the money?” I’ll start by examining the components of a donor acquisition mailing – the package: The carrier envelope, the letter, the return envelope and […]
By Hank Lewis, MA, CFRM on September 9, 2015
In my August 12th posting, I provided a link to a three-part piece on Planning Studies. In that series, I discussed how/why the Planning Study is the best way to determine what programs/activities donors are likely/willing to support, and for identifying which donors will support which program/activity. In a Planning Study you are interviewing people/donors […]
By Hank Lewis, MA, CFRM on April 29, 2015
This time, calling it by it’s correct name !! As previously noted in these postings, “Development” has its focus on the relationships between the organization and its constituents/donors that can result in contributed income, “Fundraising” focuses only on the dollars. For a new nonprofit, immediate funding would probably be needed to ensure survival in the […]
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 ...]