In 2011, Americans spent almost $500 billion on entertainment – sports, movies, games, music, books, internet access, etc. By 2016, that amount is projected to be almost $600 billion. Meanwhile, our friends at Giving USA, tell us that charitable giving totaled just under $300 billion in 2011. What if we saw it as part of…
Author: Jason McNeal
I provide leadership, advancement and fundraising consulting services to educational, healthcare, and non-profit organizations.
Principles Before Practice
Our friends in the engineering fields have a saying: Don’t dig before you know what size shovel you need. Most folks like to do things. They like to get results. It doesn’t really matter what industry or profession you are in, most good folk want to make something positive happen. Engineers may want to start…
The Real Value of Technology
Canada’s Athabasca University is a world leader in providing on-line education. Because they are a comprehensive university specializing in distance learning, technology plays a large role in their teaching, research, and day-to-day operations. Most everyone associated with AU is comfortable with a range of technologies and computer applications. It’s a neat place. Advanced technology oozes from…
Telling the Truth
What is the truth at your institution? Is it what you believe about your institution and its work? Or is it what your donors and constituents believe about your institution? If you are like many advancement pros, you spend a good amount of time and energy strategizing on how best to tell your institution’s story….
Be the Giving Example
The end of the calendar year is approaching. The season of giving is almost here. You are preparing year-end appeals. You are making visits with donors who typically give during this time of year. You are preparing a number of follow-up strategies to finish the calendar year strong. You will ask lybunts to continue their…
“I’m Getting Ready To. . .”
If your aim is to “get yourself organized” before you call on donors, don’t. If you believe you need a case statement or more materials before you can set up a prospective donor visit, you’re wrong. If you are spending hours running or reading reports on the donors in your portfolio, you are wasting time….
Re-Thinking the Phone Call Before the Discovery Visit
The sense among many development officers is that the primary purpose of calling a new major gift prospect is to get a visit. The initial research on the prospect’s capacity has been completed and the next logical step, the conventional wisdom says, is to get the visit. But in this day of doing more with…
Capping the Charitable Gift Deduction
With all the ego, all the cross-talking, and aggressive posturing during the debates, you may find it surprising that both our presidential candidates agree on at least one thing – capping the charitable gift deduction is a good idea. As one might guess, non-profit groups – armed with studies that highlight how injurious such legislation would…
Talking Missional and Relational But Walking Transactional
Most advancement leaders talk a good game. Most can tell you that the primary driver behind giving is the donor’s interest in the institution’s mission and vision. They can tell you that building meaningful relationships with donors whose values and interests align with the mission and vision of the institution is the most effective way…
The Value of Random Acts of Stewardship
At the very least, most advancement leaders give lip service to the notion that donor stewardship is important. Thanking donors and recognizing them as appropriate are the baseline activities of solid advancement programs. Expressing gratitude to our donors is the right thing to do ethically and tactically. As the old saying goes, “Stewardship of the…