Most nonprofits I've ever encountered (I've worked with well over 500 now, of all shapes and sizes, and across multiple countries) have one thing in common. They are like the...
Rainmaker Fundraising Podcast (Ep3)
In our third episode of the Rainmaker Fundraising Podcast, co-hosts Andrew Olsen, CFRE (SVP, Newport ONE) and Roy Jones, CFRE (VP of Development, Mercy Ships) interview Newport ONE’s own Collin...
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....
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...
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...
5 Culture Problems That Can Kill Your Fundraising
If you haven't checked out my first and second posts in the series of 5 Culture Problems That Can Kill Your Fundraising, check those out now! This series is adapted...
If your fundraising agency does this, fire them.
Yesterday I was advising a friend who is Executive Director at an organization I'm very fond of. I was shocked at a recommendation she received from her fundraising agency. It...
The success of middle and major donor direct response campaigns
I've just reviewed results from three middle/major donor integrated direct response fundraising campaigns that my teams managed for various social service organizations over the last year. The numbers are astonishing!...