Category: Admissions

Advancement folk talk a lot about serving donors.  We talk less about delighting them. Both verbs seem helpful and positive, but the idea of serving donors brings with it a focus on us.  Our mindset.  Our plans.  Our behaviors and actions. On the other hand, the idea of delighting donors brings with it a focus…

This phrase can feel unacceptable for advancement folks. We care (or should) about the mission, about those we serve, about our colleagues, about impact and results, etc. We might think, “we should always care.” But, here are some times when holding an, “I don’t care,” attitude actually works for good. “I don’t care if you…

“If it doesn’t work, we’ll try something else.” Here are 3 reasons why this statement (or, generally, this mindset), is the most problematic and unproductive approach when it comes to planning advancement events, appeals, and other significant advancement activities: First, it downgrades the importance of the planning process.  When we take this type of dismissive…

Our future with A.I. is being touted as everything from a life-giving tool that will supercharge human innovation and creativity to a menacing, globally-connected machine that will learn how to master and subdue humanity.  At this point, we don’t have a clear view of which path we find ourselves. People holding the more pessimistic view…

You are presenting a new idea, a fresh approach, or a novel strategy. Perhaps it’s as “blue-sky,” as planning a small gathering of your best donors and inviting them to informally dream with the CEO on ways your organization can enhance its service to participants. Or, perhaps it’s as operational as a new way to…

Recently, I had a head of school ask me a question about paying a fundraiser a percentage of what they might raise for the school.  “My board is filled with business people and they think this is the best way to motivate someone to fundraise more.” I shared with him the fact that every significant…

If we believe our job is to delight all donors we will end up frustrated, disappointed, and burned out. Not only is delighting all donors an impossible goal, it’s also the wrong goal. While we know from research and practice that most donors give because of a belief in the goodness of our institutional mission,…

Two kinds of luxury worth considering: First, is the kind of luxury offered to us by marketers.  This luxury is perceived as exclusive, upscale, and usually expensive.  It’s also mostly for our benefit or pleasure.  Any item or experience can be luxurious – from towels, to automobiles, to hotels and vacations.  We can call this,…

Less effective gift officers ask for gifts. When we ask a donor for a gift we don’t position ourselves (nor our missions) in the most attractive light. We may even feel bad about asking because we don’t want to be a bother.  Asking reinforces a sense of “haves and have nots,” that reduces our influence…

If you are involved in facilitating an advancement-related advisory group for your organization, the following 5 questions are critical to getting the most out of their engagement:  What is the topic on which you are seeking their advice, perspective, feedback?  Having a specific topic-focused theme for each advisory group meeting is an essential starting point. …