A few examples of business decisions that contribute to a lack of investment in nonprofits: fail to articulate your niche, accept a gift for a specific purpose and use it for another, be slow in sending out thank you letters
Do you really need to issue an RFP? Isn’t it just a lot of extra work? Learn the benefits of issuing an RFP.
When you have an effective and supportive partner fundraising can transform from an obligation into a fun challenge. You set a financial goal and work together to figure out how to reach it.
“As a new graduate, we encourage you to “pay it forward.” Here are three suggestions to transform you from a graduate into a major donor. You can follow these steps even if you graduated years ago: it’s never too late to make a difference.
“One of the unexpected joys is the renewed sense of brotherhood. …The word has spread around town that African American men in Richmond are coming together to give money to causes that they want to support.
“The Ujima Legacy Fund grew out of a series of conversations that we had in a barbershop. We did research on black male philanthropy and decided that we needed to form an African American male giving circle.” Reginald Gordon.
Does anyone even read the fundraising reports you produce? Producing fundraising reports can consume valuable time for a small, emerging or under-resourced nonprofit. Yet these reports are vital to the fundraising and oversight responsibilities of a board. The challenges and frustrations that arise when producing or reviewing reports can reflect an organization’s fundraising capacity and infrastructure.
We made goal, but all gifts are restricted” and other things development professionals say that drive executive directors and college presidents crazy.
Do you wonder why you can’t keep development staff? Maybe it is “their fault.” Or maybe your expectations have people running for the door. “Have you asked the board members for their gifts?” Statements like these drive development professionals crazy, contributing to high turnover.
Two truths about business cards and fundraising: a card can’t open a door if its sitting in a pile on your desk. Your development person can’t turn a pile of cards into relationships. The two of you need to work together, be creative, and follow up.
