Special Events: So Misunderstood

By Natalie Lewis on June 8, 2010

Had a call, today, from a non-profit organization that has never before done a “major” event, but they’ve decided that they really want to do one now. I could probably have transcribed the conversation before we began talking, as it seems like there’s not a week that goes by that I don’t get a similar […]

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GRANT READINESS

By Andrew Grant on June 4, 2010

Grants represent the most effort for the least predictable return. The question, therefore, is to first determine what resources will be needed before an organization contemplates launching a grants program!! Researching grant sources, planning projects, preparing proposals and budgets and managing funded programs all require a lot someone’s time/labor – all of those comprise the […]

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Major Gifts – Ensuring The Future

By Hank Lewis, MA, CFRM on June 1, 2010

The biggest mistake that many non-profits make is their belief that grants from corporations, foundations and government will continue, or (even) increase, over the long-term. Historically, those sources of funding for specific programs either remain the same or decrease – especially during rough economic times (Remember !! … It wasn’t that long ago). While overall […]

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What Is A Special Event?

By Natalie Lewis on May 28, 2010

There used to be hard-and-fast rules as to what was, or wasn’t, a special event. Today, everything gets that label, from a small cocktail reception, to a board lunch, to a Gala Auction for 1,000. Nonprofits think special events are cool and a great way to raise money, but they’re only partially right. Events are […]

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Grants Are Not Gifts

By Andrew Grant on May 25, 2010

That’s an important distinction. The defining characteristic of a gift is that control over its use passes to the recipient the minute the transfer is made. While some donors may restrict a gift to a general purpose — scholarships for example — decisions over the deployment of the funds within that restriction rest entirely with […]

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What Is A Mature Organization?

By Hank Lewis, MA, CFRM on May 21, 2010

(Adapted from an Article on “Founders Syndrome) Written in 2004) In his blog, “Consulting Skills,” dated April 23, Carter McNamara asked, “What is a Mature Organization.” I’d like to try and answer that question from the perspective of a fundraising consultant. I have to base my “answer” on a couple of basic concepts — that […]

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GRANTS: FREE MONEY – NOT QUITE !! (Part Two)

By Hank Lewis, MA, CFRM on May 18, 2010

  In case you haven’t yet been there and done that, applying for and accepting a grant is the equivalent of signing a contract – in some cases there really is a contract. The process is that grantors publish parameters for projects/programs they will fund, and you request funding for a project/program that is within […]

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GRANTS: FREE MONEY – NOT QUITE !! (Part One)

By Hank Lewis, MA, CFRM on May 14, 2010

  Every day, thousands of non-profit organizations, believing that their financial problems are soon to be over, generate/send proposals that receive, at best, a brief reading. Contrary to popular belief and unlike the grants Mr. Question-Mark touts in the TV ads, grants to non-profit organizations are not free-money. Grants come with a variety of obligations. […]

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Hank’s Top Ten Fundraising “Musts" 1-5

By Hank Lewis, MA, CFRM on May 11, 2010

(Be sure to see “Musts” 6-10 in this blog, too) 5. Please, do not — you MUST NOT — write your own fundraising materials. And, if you insist on doing so, pay an experienced fundraising writer to review and comment on your writing. Writing for fundraising is an Art. Most fundraising letters, case statements, grant […]

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Hank’s Top Ten Fundraising ‘”Musts" 6-10

By Hank Lewis, MA, CFRM on May 7, 2010

10. All Board Members, MUST be donors – to the best of their ability. Not all board members are wealthy, but everyone should give at the highest level possible for their circumstances. It is important to be able to say to the public that 100% of your board supports your mission with their dollars. If […]

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