How Do You Give?

“What I really need are funds that have no strings attached.  What would really help us generate more impact through our programs is unrestricted money.” If you sit with nonprofit leaders of any stripe and type and ask them what they really need, this response will almost surely be in their top 2-3, if not…

Some People

Your case statement isn’t designed to delight every prospect. Your proposal isn’t crafted to appeal to every donor. Your website can’t be created to attract every visitor. Your direct mail solicitation isn’t written to enthrall every reader. You shouldn’t be seeking to connect with everyone.  That’s a fool’s errand. Far too wide and too broad a…

5 Fundamental Leadership Responsibilities

If you provide leadership to an individual or team, you have 5 responsibilities: Goals – With their input, agree to the 4-6 most meaningful goals to their role or function that should be achieved over the next year.  These goals should be specific, quantifiable or timebound; Plan – Help them (as needed) prepare and present their annual…

“That is how we’ve always done it”

No phrase in professional life is met with more frustration.  It is almost always wholly unsatisfactory as a response, hints at passive aggression, and underlies a stubborn unwillingness to change. However, “that is how we’ve always done it,” is also a helpful reminder for leaders. When that phrase is used, we tend to focus on…

Giving And The Loneliness Epidemic

In stark and startling-fast fashion, Americans are choosing to be alone more than ever before. According to various reports, by 2021, adults in the U.S. were spending 58% less time with family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers, than they were in 2014.  Meanwhile, the amount of time spent completely alone has increased at a similar pace…

How Do You Know. . .

your social media efforts are working? your gift officers are effective? your annual giving program is growing sustainably? your stewardship program is engaging? your database is healthier? your constituent relations program is expanding? By the way, “I will know because we are raising more money!” is a horrible response to all of these questions. Gift…