“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.
Fundraising is far from begging and yet that is the message too many of us have internalized. We hesitate to ask others to give to nonprofits we believe in. We think of ourselves as “beggars” and unconsciously teach our children that fundraising is begging.
Six things you can do between now and the next board meeting to energize yourself and your fellow board members. Choose one or more that sounds like fun to you. Each can help engage new supporters, increase awareness and raise money. These tips work if you are involved with university, a grassroots organization, or any size nonprofit in-between.
We listened as our acquaintance shared his experience of institutions that report campaign success but don’t have the money needed to implement projects laid out as campaign priorities.
A major benefit of conducting a comprehensive campaign is that it focuses an organization’s energies into one campaign with multiple goals and revenue sources. It reduces confusion amongst prospective donors, allows them to make a one-time decision on how to support your diverse needs, and reduces duplication of efforts on the part of the nonprofit.
Sometimes alumni fundraising efforts are coordinated, sometimes haphazard, other times there is overt conflict between alumni and their alma mater. We have witnessed the good, the bad and the ugly. Four suggestions for how to grow your alumni association’s fundraising program.
