Do you know Dan Shephard, The Frontline Fundraiser? Check out this episode of Rainmaker Fundraising Podcast where Roy Jones and I talk with Dan about his 4 Decisions framework for...
Eat your broccoli. It might not taste good, but it’s good for you!
If you want your nonprofit to be a healthy, thriving organization, sometimes you have to do things you might not personally like. That's not my opinion -- it's reality. Last...
I hope your direct mail program fails
Does that headline tick you off? Does it irritate you knowing how much budget is allocated to direct mail every year? Does this make you wonder how, as a direct...
The Power of Questions in Sales
I found an interesting tidbit in a recent HBR article titled The Surprising Power of Questions. This article looked at the power and value of asking strategic questions in business....
Have You Read: The War For Fundraising Talent?
Jason Lewis has struck a deep nerve in our industry with The War For Fundraising Talent. The book challenges conventional wisdom, and is a critical read for boards and nonprofit...
What does acquisition have to do with Major Gifts?
The success of your major gift program depends first and foremost on the quality of your donor acquisition program. I know right now there are major gift officers all over...
Stop looking for fundraising silver bullets
I recently had the chance to chat with my good friend Greg Warner on MarketSmart's Engagement Fundraising podcast. Greg and I share a similar point of view on fundraising and...
Why McDonald’s Doesn’t Sell Big Macs to Vegans
Have you ever seen a McDonald's ad campaign focused on convincing vegans to buy a Big Mac? That's crazy, right? Makes no sense. I mean, maybe there are a handful...
Does your nonprofit need a strategic agency partner?
In the nonprofit sector we often hear board members, CEO’s, and even development officers argue that they shouldn’t invest in fundraising agency partners, and instead should just “go it alone”...
The 4 Myths that keep homeless service organizations from major gift success
Working with over 200 organizations that focus on serving people who are homeless, hungry, and living in poverty, I've come to conclude that there are 4 myths that keep organizations...