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...
18 Steps to Maximize Year-End Giving
Over the next three months nonprofits will raise over 30% of their annual revenue. Some of you might even raise as much as 50% of your budget between now and...
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...
5 Culture Problems That Can Kill Your Fundraising
If you missed Culture Problem #1: We don't own it, be sure to check it out! Here's #2: We don't master it... Ask any nonprofit employer & they'll tell you...
5 Culture Problems That Can Kill Your Fundraising
I was in Dallas, TX last week for the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions annual convention. While there, I had the honor to co-host a two-day development and leadership workshop...