Anyone who intends to support your organization will understand that every dollar you have to spend on coffee, breakfast, lunch or dinner in order to meet with them is one less dollar available for your organization to spend on your mission. Don’t get caught holding the bag.
Read MoreEvery organization needs a case statement for support, especially if you are exploring a Capital Campaign. But the utility of a case statement, written well and updated often, can carry you through many routine fundraising activities during the year.
Read MoreAround Board tables, we sometimes hear about big gifts from previously unknown donors or million-dollar galas or large grants from foundations - all to other nonprofit groups - and someone invariably says, “Wow! How did they get so lucky?” We need to ask, “Was it just luck?”
Read MoreA cost of fundraising between 10 and 25% of your campaign goal is reasonable in terms of the metrics most funders apply to campaign fundraising. Hiring a feasibility study and – if needed – an internal readiness study will make sure that your investment is well-considered.
Read MoreAll donors, especially major donors, want to plan ahead for their biggest gifts. Here are a few things you can do fairly quickly to develop your donors’ expectations.
Read MoreIf you are an executive director new to fundraising, a professional new to major gifts fundraising, or joining a Board or Capital Campaign committee, it can be very helpful to consider what the donor may be thinking when you meet with them to ask for a gift.
Read MoreThe planning phase for most campaigns is 2 to 3 years, and there’s no shame in taking even longer. Taking the near-term pressure off is very helpful to clear thinking.
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