Maybe you think the important work is inviting the gift. Perhaps you believe the important work is relationship building. You may have been told the key to advancement work is visiting with current and prospective donors. You might even believe the most significant aspect of the work is stewardship after
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In this On Demand webinar, we discuss the key steps organizations should perfect if you hope to move donors to make their first gift.
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This On Demand program will help prepare you to make that first major gift ask.
You can invite a donor to increase their giving iteratively, which means they will base the increase of their future giving on what they have given previously. Or, you can invite a donor to increase their giving aspirationally, which means they will base the increase of their future giving on
We can ask Claude to quickly write the language for a pretty compelling major gift proposal. Or, we can ask Claude to take our major gift proposal and offer 3 different versions that highlight the donor’s known interests in 3 distinct ways. We can ask ChatGPT to create a projected
Does it count as truly successful if the initial goal is achieved, but the stretch goal is not? If the stretch goal is met, what further motivation is there to continue to give effort? I’ve never quite understood the concept of stretch goals. From a leadership standpoint, I’ve witnessed first-hand how stretch
We know from research completed back in the 1960s there isn’t a direct line from our bodies to our brains when it comes to feeling physical pain. When we bump our elbow on something hard, for example, we know, instinctively, that if we immediately rub our elbow with our opposite
. . . a development program consistently expand its donor base – year over year for long stretches – without deep and relatively stable solicitation traditions and timelines. . . . a development program raise consistently more from major gifts – year over year for long stretches – without stable,
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In this Gonser Gerber Institute “Quick Bite” program, Dr. James Smith, Gonser Gerber Senior Consultant, will share some immediate steps you can implement to launch a challenge gift at your institution, including establishing how a challenge gift can help where you
Recently, I was with a client discussing their scholarship program – both, awarding scholarships to students as well as raising money for scholarships. The University CFO told me that the University provides institutional financial support for students based on both merit (a blend of high school g.p.a. and standardized test scores) and financial need. Also known as “tuition discounts,” these
I talk with clients a good bit about the time we spend brushing our teeth. I don’t know anything special about dental care, of course. Rather, I bring up that daily habit because it’s one of those everyday moments in which we can briefly be alone with our thoughts, staring at ourselves in a mirror. It’s a time where self-talk
The donor has interests and values she wants to express through her giving. Regardless of how aligned your organization’s mission or fundraising priority is with her interests and values, this donor is only going to giving significantly and with enthusiasm if she trusts the people she is giving to. Trust is interesting because many advancement professionals act as though it
This is a well-worn question we learn as young students in school. It’s also a limiting question. When we ask this question, the assumption is that the only value of education is how it prepares and benefits us for some specific test. Everything else that happens in the educational experience is a waste. This misunderstands the bigger and more important
We talk a lot in advancement about the importance of creating compelling stories for our donors and friends. Stories that personify the impact of giving and volunteering. And stories that encourage others do more of both. We invite donors to respond generously by telling a story of a life saved or changed because of our institution. We invite volunteers to
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Join this On Demand webinar on the Annual Plan for Your Annual Fund, presented by Senior Consultant Pam Spencer, who will share her years of experience with us in leading an annual fund planning process.
If our goal is to raise more money for our cause, a common sentiment expressed is something similar to the following: “We will need new donors to step up!” On it’s face, this sentiment seems to make sense. We absolutely could raise more money if new or lapsed donors respond generously. But, it becomes a mistake to prioritize the work
New leaders at all levels have an often-overlooked, but potentially critical asset at their disposal — the benefit of the doubt. The benefit of the doubt means that when a new leader arrives, her initial progress is viewed in the most positive light, instead of critically. The benefit of the doubt means that when a new leader arrives, a mistake
The central problem arising from giving gifts to donors as a result of their charitable support is far deeper than any “transactional vs. relational” discussion. Yes, we should be promoting a more relational approach to our advancement work with donors. And, yes, we have to be careful with teaching our donors to expect a gift every time they support our
To raise more money, my guess is that you could most likely invite current major gifts more often. You could most likely draft a more compelling case for support. You could most likely recruit Board and volunteer leaders who have more generous giving histories. You could most likely implement a better communications strategy and invite more planned gifts. In fact,
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