The #ALSIceBucketChallenge has been a tremendous success no matter how one might define the term. The challenge began in July and, within the last month, the awareness of ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease as it is still known, is sky high. In addition, ALS is now reporting that the challenge has raised almost $80 million dollars…
Month: August 2014
On Fundraising Attitudes and Aptitudes
Being an advancement leader brings with it the responsibility to “teach up.” Whether you work with a Dean, a Chancellor, a President, a CEO, or a Board member, getting the best possible results means working with and through others. In many instances, donors will respond more generously when an institutional leader plays a meaningful role…
The Value of Art and Donor Appreciation
Refrigerator artwork is deeply personal and meaningful to the owner but, to the outside world, may not hold much value. The value of the crayon-colored rainbow scribbled on a piece of paper flows from the little person who drew it and their relationship to you, the owner of the refrigerator. On the other hand, we…
Why Prospects Don’t Respond
Recently, I served as a faculty member during a Gonser Gerber Institute webinar entitled, “Five Effective Strategies to Secure Visits.” This was a webinar I had long wanted to present as the issue of securing visits can, in many instances, be the most challenging facet of prospect engagement. I know many advancement officers – beginning…