I believe our work is to get money from people. Versus, I believe our work is to invite and encourage people to experience the goodness of giving. I believe most people will only do what is in their interests. Versus, I believe most people want to help others. I believe wealthy people are selfish and…
Author: Jason McNeal
I provide leadership, advancement and fundraising consulting services to educational, healthcare, and non-profit organizations.
Effort vs. Consistency
It’s easy to be fooled into believing that effort is the most important variable to our success. If we simply work harder/smarter/more strategically, we will be more successful. The messages are all around us. “There is no substitute for hard work.” “You need to give 110% effort!” “No pain, no gain.” Because of this cultural…
Talking With Courage
When we think of “being courageous,” we tend to think of the social expressions of courage. From small acts to big, we think being courageous is something that happens in the context of other people. The courage to present to an audience. The courage to jump in an help during a catastrophe. The courage to…
Whose Needs Are We Serving?
When we decide to hold our annual donor stewardship event on a day that makes travel inconvenient for a significant portion of our donor base, whose needs are we serving? When we arrive late for a standing prospect management meeting and keep the other gift officers and team members waiting, whose needs are we serving?…
Options
We could conduct our outreach to prospective donors via email or phone. We could invite our alumni via direct mail or social media. We could distribute our impact report digitally or hard copy. One option is not necessarily more or less effective than another. In some circumstances, outreaching via email may the wiser than using…
What’s New?
“What’s happening?” “What’s the latest?” “What’s going on?” “What’s new?” These are the questions, either verbalized or acted upon, that drive a good bit of human interaction and behavior. We greet people with various forms of these questions and, because of that, we act – at least partly – based on the responses. The reality,…
“I’m Glad To Be Here”
The biggest hurdle newer gift officers face is not how to effectively outreach to assigned donors or prospective donors. We have proven strategies and outreach approaches that increase the likelihood that gift officers can get their foot in the door. Instead, the biggest hurdle for most newer gift officers is their mental approach to first…
Capacity Buckets
Yesterday and all the yesterdays of the past are untouchable and unchangeable. We can not unscramble eggs. Tomorrow and all the tomorrows of the future are unknowable and unpromised. We can only guess how thrown dice will land. At least for now, all we have real access to is the present. This moment. This activity. …
Facilitating Without An Answer
In most instances, leadership isn’t about having the answer. Speaking up doesn’t mean we must have the solution. Instead, facilitating the answer or solution is the more helpful way of thinking about good leadership. Who would be most helpful to be in the discussion? Where should the discussion take place? Who should invite those we…
A Life Well-Lived
Today, the family and friends of Cal Stoney will remember and celebrate his life – one that, clearly, was “well-lived.” I’m not sure we pause enough to think deeply about what that phrase should mean for us. But, as I think of Cal’s life, I see suggestions for us all. Seeking purpose and meaning –…