I hear it all the time from institutional leaders: “We need to identify what makes us distinctive.” “Our strategic plan/viewbook/brochure/website/direct mail letter/(you name it) should highlight the distinctive aspects of our programs.” “Our institution has to show how it is different from every other institution out there.” It seems that most institutional and advancement leaders…
Author: Jason McNeal
I provide leadership, advancement and fundraising consulting services to educational, healthcare, and non-profit organizations.
Fundraising Principles For The New Universe: The Practice of Immersion
So far I’ve identified four principles which I believe are keys to fundraising success as a result of the 2008 recession. The principles (Income Stream Diversity, Database Depth, Bench Depth, and Big Value Communication) highlight new thinking based on the economic realities in which institutions (and their donors) now find themselves. The final principle is…
Fundraising Principles For The New Universe: Big Value Communication
Since the Great Recession, fundraising has changed fundamentally – especially major gift fundraising. In recent posts, I’ve identified three principles (Income Stream Diversity, Database Depth, and Bench Depth) that are keys to institutional success in today’s fundraising environment. The fourth principle for successful fundraising in The New Universe is Big Value Communication. Big Value Communication…
Fundraising Principles For The New Universe: Bench Depth
The nature of fundraising has changed. Thus far, I have proposed two principles (Income Stream Diversity and Database Depth), which, if implemented regularly and effectively, will provide your institution with an approach that leads to transformational outcomes. The third principle for fundraising in The New Universe is Bench Depth. Bench Depth refers to the capacity…
Fundraising Principles For The New Universe: Database Depth
Institutions today are faced with a series of issues that fundamentally have changed our fundraising environment – it is a New Universe. In my last article, I suggested that development offices need to diversify their institution’s income streams. Today, I am offering the second principle that I believe is important if institutions are to thrive…
Fundraising Principles For The New Universe: Income Stream Diversity
Our universe has changed – dramatically. And, the old universe ain’t coming back anytime soon. So, I have posited a set of principles which, when implemented, will provide our institutions with opportunities for success in this new environment. Principle number 1 is: Income Stream Diversity. Income stream diversity refers to expanding the sources of income…
Fundraising Success In The New Universe
Our known universe has changed. Savings rates for individuals are trending up. Philanthropy is down. The mega-gifts that fueled campaigns (and fundraising totals) over the past few decades are decreasing. The housing market is still tanking in many areas so people are feeling much “less rich.” And unemployment remains stubbornly high. Most everything we’ve understood…
My Best Wish
As we steam toward another year end, full-tilt in the “Season of Giving,” it’s easy to let the busy-ness of development work become all-consuming. So much to be done. And, all on a deadline of December 31. During this hectic time, my hope is that you and the members of your team will take time…
Challenging Or Different?
People say the financial environment is difficult and that raising money today is tougher than ever. Yes, there are challenges. But there are always challenges. Raising money never seems easy when we are doing it – only in hindsight does it appear to have been effortless. Tara Loader Wilkinson, a reporter for the Financial News…
IRA Rollover Passes for 2010 and 2011
Our friends at Crescendo Interactive have offered up the following guidance regarding IRA rollovers – good stuff! On the afternoon of December 17, 2010, the President signed into law The Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010. This bill restores the IRA Charitable Rollover for 2010 and permits its use in…