Some number of your major gift donors are what I would term “durable.” They are the ones who continue to give (often generously) regardless of their own personal and financial circumstances; they are the ones who are deeply committed to your mission; they are the ones who show up when you need it most; and…
Author: Jason McNeal
I provide leadership, advancement and fundraising consulting services to educational, healthcare, and non-profit organizations.
5 “Alternative Facts” for Advancement Professionals
Recently, a U.S. political figure who shall remain nameless (only because it would be too embarrassing for her to be named) used the phrase, “alternative facts,” during a heated exchange with a reporter. And since a fact is, by definition, well, “a fact,” I have no idea what the phrase “alternative facts,” is intended to…
What Is The Work?
What if the purpose of your campaign is not to raise extraordinary amounts of gift income, but instead is to educate potential givers on the need(s) being met by your institution? What if the purpose of your alumni relations event is not to ensure that people have an enjoyable experience, but instead is to remind them…
From “Why?” to “What?”
“Why?” isn’t the thing. It’s not the building project. Nor the endowment fund. It’s not the new program. Nor whatever the gifts might support. “Why?” is what will happen once you successfully build that building, or grow that endowed fund, or start that new program. “Why?” is how the money supports your mission and helps…
3 Often-Overlooked Principles for Effective Volunteer Engagement
Effectively engaging volunteers – be they Board members, campaign leaders, special event volunteers, advisory council members, or others – can be a tricky proposition. On the one hand, influential volunteers have an ability to open doors, leverage personal relationships, and tell the story of your institution with an authenticity that can be unmatched by those…
One Simple Way To Make Your Meetings More Productive
Workplace meetings are important. Studies show that collaboration in the workplace (meaning, when two or more people communicate to share ideas and achieve common goals) leads to all types of beneficial and excellent outcomes. From increased staff member retention to coming-up with more effective decisions, plans, and solutions, collaboration works. And while collaboration can happen…
The Most Important Resolution
About half of Americans state a specific New Year’s resolution. Most of these resolutions are focused, as one might imagine, or enhancing health or well being, gaining more education, or increasing one’s financial situation. And while all those resolutions are fine and good, I do wonder if focusing on resolutions that endeavor to make ourselves better…
The Real Reason Your Annual Fund Matters
Tactically, and even strategically-speaking, the Annual Fund for most non-profit organizations is credited with serving 2 purposes. The Annual Fund: Provides important (often-times budget relieving) annual gift income to fund current organizational priorities, and; Serves as a (hopefully expanding) pool of future major donor prospects for the organization. While these purposes are important, they are…
Don’t Forget To Invite These Donors to Give Before December 31
Over the next 3 weeks, donors will be making far more charitable gifts than at any other time during the year. It is the season of giving – and donors respond. As you implement plans to encourage and remind donors to support your mission during this period of generosity, there is a group of donors…
The 5 Questions You Should Be Answering In Prospect Management Meetings
Prospect Management Team (PMT) meetings are often under-utilized as a major gifts program management tool and, sometimes, completely misunderstood. The purpose of PMT meetings is rather straightforward: to ensure that all major gift prospect managers within a unit, division, or institution are aware of the prospects with whom other prospect managers will soon be engaging….