Category: Branding

The most knowledgeable mechanical engineer may have very little to say about the complex dynamics of intimate human relationships. The most advanced scholar in the humanities may have very little to offer when the topic of agriculture technology comes up. The most gifted and successful surgeon may be of very little help when it comes…

Our institution needs more money . . . “we need to hold a gala!” Our major donors aren’t giving as generously as they could . . . “we need more donor relations staff!” Our Board members don’t engage meaningfully with fundraising . . . “we are a working Board!” The fundamental problem with the most…

When we think about our work, it’s easy to get caught up in the pieces.  For instance: the specific steps we have to complete to get the next direct mail package to the printer; or, the tasks we agreed to implement to plan our next special event; or, the visits we need to confirm to…

When most marketing professionals, academic leaders, presidents, board members, and others think about marketing institutional distinctive advantages, they focus almost exclusively on programs and quantitative data.  For instance, 88% of our pre-med graduates go on to medical school, or; 93% of of our education graduates pass the state teaching licensure exam, or; 100% of our…

We can hold one of two divergent beliefs about the purpose of our lives: First, we can order our lives with the belief that our purpose is to seek comfort, ease, luxury, or convenience for ourselves.  Or, second, we can order our lives with the belief that our purpose is to seek meaning, significance, and consequence…

Few people will disagree with the notion that their advancement team could be more productive in some way(s). “I know we need to, and could, raise more money,” they will say.  Or, “I agree that our donor communications and stewardship could be more consistent,” they will acquiesce. But, most people resoundingly disagree with the notion…

My son’s high school basketball team regularly finds themselves at our house.  They come over after practice.  They come over to watch film.  They come over between school ending and their game that night.  They are around a lot. We enjoy having the them in our home – even with the noise, the mess, and…

Around the time of each Martin Luther King, Jr., holiday in the U.S., I pause to re-read, “Letter From Birmingham Jail,” written by King to Christian and Jewish clergy in April of 1963. I encourage you to read it if you haven’t recently.  It only takes me 10 minutes and I’m not a super-fast reader….

Easily, one of the most unhelpful questions to ask someone in development, especially during a position interview. In many instances: The money received today was actually raised months, years, even decades ago; Even if the money received today was raised today, there were, most likely, other people and diverse motivations encouraging the donor to give;…

It’s not about benefits, access, trinkets, or tchotchkes.  It’s not even about impact, reports, recognition, or gratitude. It’s about the donor’s feelings. Before deciding to implement any particular donor stewardship activity or initiative, simply ask yourself this question: “If I were the donor on the receiving end of this experience, how would I feel about…