Skip to content

Jason's Blog

Giving is Good

Menu
  • About Jason
  • Consulting
  • Engage
  • Learn
Menu

Just Something Special

Posted on September 25, 2023September 25, 2023 by Jason McNeal

Go to any college or university and interview alumni who are proud of their school. “There is just something special about this place,” you will hear over and over in various forms. The reality, though, is that there isn’t that much truly special (or different) about the place. It’s an institution of higher education (like,…

Follow and share Jason's Blog:
fb-share-icon
Tweet
Read more

Big Change

Posted on September 22, 2023September 18, 2023 by Jason McNeal

Every year, every decade, every generation brings with it societal-level questions that are complicated and unsettling legally, socially, politically, morally, and ethically.  The U.S. has had to confront some of its thorniest and deeply disquieting societal issues and questions since its founding. For instance. . . From 1787 until 1865 and the passage of the…

Follow and share Jason's Blog:
fb-share-icon
Tweet
Read more

“I Don’t Know. . .”

Posted on September 20, 2023September 17, 2023 by Jason McNeal

“I don’t know how we will reach the goal. . .” “I don’t know where the next major gift is coming from. . .” “I don’t know who is willing to lead this campaign. . .” After we establish a goal, create a fundraising plan, or design a campaign, our advancement work is filled with…

Follow and share Jason's Blog:
fb-share-icon
Tweet
Read more

The Formula

Posted on September 18, 2023September 17, 2023 by Jason McNeal

The big ask captivates us. “If she would only give us the $1.5 million. . . ” “If that company would only be our event’s title sponsor. . . ” The big ask is so captivating, in fact, that it’s tempting to start there.  “Let’s go ask and see what they say!” is the trill…

Follow and share Jason's Blog:
fb-share-icon
Tweet
Read more

A Not-To-Do List

Posted on September 13, 2023 by Jason McNeal

“What are you going to say, ‘no’ to?” I asked this question of a client when their alumni relations team was looking at their annual planning calendar and it was clear they had more great ideas than they could implement. I posed the question not only to get them to think about prioritizing their list…

Follow and share Jason's Blog:
fb-share-icon
Tweet
Read more

More New Major Donors

Posted on September 11, 2023 by Jason McNeal

“If we are going to have success in this next campaign, we will need to find new major donors.” Almost certainly you have heard a board member, a president, or someone else state something similar.  Or, perhaps, you have said something similar! While there are a variety of issues related to this type of statement,…

Follow and share Jason's Blog:
fb-share-icon
Tweet
Read more

When We Start

Posted on September 8, 2023September 8, 2023 by Jason McNeal

When we attempt a new task, most of us usually aren’t that good at it. It can feel awkward the first time we attempt to ice skate.  Presenting for the first time in front of a group can create anxiety. Baking a cake for the first time can be a messy (and, perhaps, a less…

Follow and share Jason's Blog:
fb-share-icon
Tweet
Read more

A Better Response. . . And A Better Question

Posted on September 4, 2023 by Jason McNeal

This past Friday night, my teenaged son and I traveled to Nashville, TN, to see the University of Tennessee Volunteers play football against the University of Virginia. We stayed at a Hilton hotels property that night and, upon check-in, the front desk attendant asked if she could have my mobile phone number to put on…

Follow and share Jason's Blog:
fb-share-icon
Tweet
Read more

Leadership and Negative Thoughts

Posted on September 1, 2023 by Jason McNeal

Positive thinking, or maintaining a positive attitude even in difficult circumstances, has been shown to have various tangible personal benefits.  From workplace productivity to stress reduction to higher brain functioning, working on seeing the good in people and situations is smart. Negative thought patterns, on the other hand, are correlated with a number of less-than-helpful…

Follow and share Jason's Blog:
fb-share-icon
Tweet
Read more

Trust

Posted on August 30, 2023August 30, 2023 by Jason McNeal

People, businesses, and foundations make charitable gifts to your institution every day.  Comprehensive (unrestricted) gifts, restricted gifts, and, gifts of all amounts.  The motivations behind each of these gifts are almost as numerous as the number of gifts themselves. Important to keep in mind, though, that donors are motivated to make major gifts to your…

Follow and share Jason's Blog:
fb-share-icon
Tweet
Read more
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • …
  • 76
  • Next
Get updates from Jason's Blog via email:

Share Jason’s Blog

RSS
Facebook
fb-share-icon
Twitter
Tweet
LinkedIn
Share
© 2023 Jason's Blog | Powered by Minimalist Blog WordPress Theme