Accounting for Fundraising: Recording the Gift/Expense

By Christine Manor on August 30, 2011

Not long ago, we received an email with a “programs-vs-finance” question…. “Finance is telling me that once a grant is approved it should be listed in the GL immediately, because it becomes a liability not to do so. “We have always waited for the grant award letter to be returned before actually marking the grant “approved,” in case a […]

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Developing Strong Win-Themes For Your Gov’t Grants

By Jayme Sokolow on August 23, 2011

Good government grant proposals tell a compelling story. To tell a compelling story you must have strong Win-Themes because they help reviewers understand why you can provide the best solution to the problem identified in the grant guidelines. When you start your proposal, first create your Win-Themes. Developing compelling Win-Themes for your government grant proposal […]

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Are Major Gifts Annual Gifts ??

By Hank Lewis, MA, CFRM on August 16, 2011

An email raised the question as to whether “Major Gifts” should be counted in the total for the “Annual Fund.” I can’t help it. I have to say it, “I really hate the term, ‘Annual Fund.’” (See: The Annual Fund Is Obsolete.) OK, now that I’ve gotten that off my chest…. By a literal definition, […]

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Online Giving: Audit Your Own Website (Part 2)

By Rick Christ on August 9, 2011

Hints On How To Make Giving To You A Lot Easier a: Always have a prominent “Where the need is greatest” choice – many people will trust you to allocate their gift as you need to, and unrestricted gifts are the primary goal of every client we’ve ever had. b: Give people the chance to […]

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Special Events: Cost Per Dollar Raised

By Natalie Lewis on August 2, 2011

A recent email asked: “Do you have an article or statement on what is the standard “special event fundraising equation” used to determine financial success? Obviously, one would set a goal, and if that goal is set, you have been successful. Raising awareness and “making friends” is priceless. But, is there a basic non-profit formula […]

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Another Director of Development Who Isn’t

By Hank Lewis, MA, CFRM on July 26, 2011

Had a “wrong number” phone call recently from a “Director of Development” of an organization based in my area who was trying to reach a totally different business. Even though I was not the intended recipient of the call, when the caller learned that I was a fundraising consultant, she thought that it was “kismet” […]

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The CFC is the Most Donor Friendly Means of Giving

By Carter McNamara on July 19, 2011

In a CFC campaign, each Federal employee gets a pledge card with a long list of charitable organizations, and many folks check the boxes of more than one. Most donations are by designation to specific non-profits, and most donations are made by payroll deductions. CFC campaigns are in the fall, payroll deductions begin in January, […]

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Donor Centric Grantsmanship

By Lynn deLearie on July 12, 2011

It’s Not About Me; It’s About You, Really !! Relationships are at the heart of all fundraising activities, and grants are no exception. Just like dating, the nonprofit grantee needs to find a compatible match in a prospective grantor. But, unlike a good date, the grantee/grantor relationship is very one-sided. It REALLY is all about […]

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Fundraising for New Nonprofits

By Hank Lewis, MA, CFRM on July 7, 2011

An email asked: “What advice is there for new nonprofits without a funding history? So many groups with a lot of potential just don’t know where to begin.” ============= The biggest mistake most new NPOs make is the assumption/belief that, because they want to do wonderful things, everyone (read: gov’t, corporations, foundations and “rich people”) […]

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Start your Gov’t Grant Proposal with a Great Kick-Off Meeting

By Jayme Sokolow on June 30, 2011

The best way to begin a government grant proposal is with a great kick-off meeting. If the meeting goes well, you will inform, motivate, and focus the grant proposal team on the task ahead. The proposal team is comprised of the people who will be working on the grant application. They should include the Proposal […]

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