By Hank Lewis, MA, CFRM on April 27, 2016
The email said that the “new” organization has one major event every year, and their Executive Director appointed one of their new board members as the event chair for this year because she (the ED) was pretty much burned out from doing everything over the last two years. She anticipates having to continue to play […]
By Hank Lewis, MA, CFRM on March 30, 2016
That was a question that recently found my email inbox, along with the explanation that one of those organizations has a medical focus, the other is in the arts. My immediate thought/response was, simply, “Yes.” You just have to be sure that both organizations have a signed agreement as to how the expenses will be […]
By Hank Lewis, MA, CFRM on April 1, 2015
This is a follow up to last week’s post on “special event income.” The person who asked the question that engendered that posting didn’t provide enough information for me to be able to address her specific circumstances. So, I got another note, expressing disappointment … and maybe a little annoyance. This time my correspondent wrote: […]
By Hank Lewis, MA, CFRM on March 25, 2015
A recent email asked: “What percentage of a non profit’s budget should come from fundraising events?” I have a problem with the word, “should.” That implies that all nonprofits should be raising money through events. That is so wrong!! That is a question that is (so) often posed by people new to the nonprofit world, […]
By Hank Lewis, MA, CFRM on March 11, 2015
A recent communication asked: “I have a potential non-profit client that was approached by a for-profit corporation, with a similar mission, that wants to contribute to the non-profit all or some of the net proceeds from a Gala Anniversary Event organized by and for the for-profit entity. The structure is not yet in place so […]
By Natalie Lewis on December 17, 2014
We have had many a tasting with delicious desserts that were not chocolate. So, when selecting one that was not chocolate, we usually added a plate of truffles to the table so people would not feel as though the meal was incomplete. A good caterer should also be a guide to all of the different […]
By Natalie Lewis on December 10, 2014
QuestIon: Should I do a tasting even if I have worked with this caterer before? Answer: Absolutely. Question: Should I hire a caterer and then do a tasting? Answer: Absolutely NOT. In the past, people who were frequent event attendees tended to have great expectations, except when it came to food. There was a constant […]
By Hank Lewis, MA, CFRM on October 22, 2014
October 29: Six Goals For A Direct Mail Letter by Jonathan Howard …six key elements for every fundraising letter – standards to use to review and rewrite a draft appeal until it can’t be improved further. November 5: Remind Your Donors to Give Stocks and Mutual Funds by John Elbare Stocks and mutual funds make […]
By Two Blog Contributors on April 30, 2014
1. Who Are Your Planned Gift Prospects? – Part I by John Elbare, CFP Before you get started with planned giving, you need to identify your most likely planned gift prospects. Planned giving works best when you target your efforts toward a segment of donors who are most inclined to consider a planned gift. Avoid […]
By Two Blog Contributors on April 23, 2014
1. Keeping Your Bucket Full … With Direct Mail by Jonathan Howard Think of your current donor file as a leaky bucket you want to fill. This poses two separate challenges. You need to reduce leaks and add new water at the same time. If you stop doing either task, your water level will sink […]
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 ...]