It Didn’t Work

“It didn’t work, so we aren’t planning to do it again.” I’ve heard this statement from advancement professionals after phonathons, direct mail solicitations, donor surveys, and even, social media-focused giving days. But, when probing just a bit further, there are almost always two separate misunderstandings that are driving this statement. First, there usually is low…

What The Donor Wants

The practice of donor-centrism has morphed into a wholly-disconnected concept from its original intent. Gone is the admonition that donors and philanthropy should be embraced and celebrated as an important thread making up the fabric of an institution’s culture – that institutions should actually care about donors.  In it’s place is the widespread misunderstanding that…

The Intelligent Donor. . .

. . . seeks to learn more about your institution’s strategic plan. . . . asks if a 5-year pledge schedule is acceptable. . . . expects to sign a pledge document or gift agreement. . . . asks how many other donors are giving at the level they are. . . . asks how…

Confusing Brand With Effectiveness

You may work at a prestigious and nationally (or even internationally) known educational, healthcare, or social service nonprofit. Or, you may work at a local, small organization without a lot of general brand recognition. Neither of those settings help predict the effectiveness or sophistication of your advancement program. Institutions with strong brand recognition, larger teams…

The Test Invitation

Scenario:  A major gift officer has set up a Discovery visit with a prospective major gift donor.  This prospect either has never given to your institution or she has given infrequently and modestly to annual appeals or giving days (i.e. all gifts well under $1,000). During the Discovery visit, the gift officer realizes that the…

Funding Found!

On Demand Program
Register Here
Join Gonser Gerber Partner Chad Jolly and members of the Advancement staff from Columbia College (Columbia, MO) as they discuss the College’s step by step endowed and restricted fund audit process and how this project brought immediate relief to the annual operating budget, changed the College’s scholarship program, and how endowed fund agreements were written going forward.