Blog

Five Thought Provoking Questions to Ask a Potential New Hire

Need a magic cure for nonprofit fundraising blues? Hire fundraising staff. Ah…. if only that were the case. In this column we offer five questions to ask during the interview process. A candidate’s responses can provide insights to help you determine who is best qualified

How to Transform Fundraising Challenges to Success

The foundation now hosts a sell-out gala that is nothing short of spectacular. How did it get started? By a board member! We used the gala specifically as a way to challenge and change the business community’s and donor community’s public perception of us.

Unlock the Reasons for Starting a Capital Campaign

Is your executive director – or college president – seeking to leave a legacy by launching a capital campaign? Our question – will she or he launch a campaign or successfully complete the campaign? There is a slight difference, one that usually reveals itself when the books are presented to the incoming executive.

Women and philanthropy

Its women’s history month and time to highlight women’s role as philanthropists and fundraisers. We are the grandmother putting money in her granddaughter’s pocket as she heads off to college. We are presidents and CEOs of regional and national foundations. We give as individuals, and we give collectively through women’s foundations and giving circles…

The Psychology of No: How it affects your determination

Fundraising for the arts can be a challenge. It’s one thing to create a show, it’s another thing to secure the resources required to produce it. That’s where Brown’s vision and determined optimism made a difference. After getting his 75th “no” he didn’t give up. Number 76 was…

First time fundraising effort raises $75,000

The results? “Requesting donations in the way of services, we quickly landed a sponsorship from Hyatt who made a donation in the form of “discounted” room prices; and in the world of expensive hotel rates of downtown Manhattan, this was a big win. Now, the price of lodging during the concert event was more within reasonable reach for our average choir member”