In today’s advancement world, the function of “stewardship” is constrained (typically and artificially) to those activities and responses the institution makes once a gift has been made. For instance, we steward a donor through our public recognition programs and how we extend thanks based on their giving level, etc. But this constrained view of stewardship…
Category: Leadership
Translations
The primary role of your case statement is to translate the funding priorities of your institution into messages prospective donors will embrace with enthusiasm. This translation occurs in two fundamental ways: First, your case needs to do the practical work of translating all of your “institutional speak” into everyday language that regular folk understand. Acronyms,…
Indirect Skills
A list of skills not directly related to advancement but all of which will make you better as an advancement professional (with some linked resources to become better): How not to take things personally; Building strong connections with others; How to ask better; Failing well. Building more trust in teams. Enjoy!
Taking Notice
It’s easy to take notice of the mass happenings. The red news banner on the bottom scroll of your television visibly blaring the phrase, “Breaking News.” The homerun in the 9th inning of a tied world series game that has everyone in the stadium on the edge of their seats. The Netflix show that everyone…
Systems Of Care
“We’re sorry to hear of your loss of Mamie, and our hearts go out to you. We know this time is tough, and we’re always here if you need anything. Love, Jair, Chewy.com” With the recent passing of our family pet, one of the chores we had to complete was ending the autoship arrangement we…
Working Large
All advancement programs have finite resources, both human and financial. The idea that you can spend whatever you wish to accomplish your goals and aims is not reality. Sure, advancement budgets at some institutions are larger than at others, but there is always a limit. And, over the last few years – regardless of the…
3 Leadership Statements That Build Team Trust
One version of leadership posits the leader as a know-it-all. This is the supremely confident individual who has most all the answers and always knows a direction for future growth. The strongman (or woman) model. However, under this form of leadership, team trust is rarely optimized, which means that team effectiveness is rarely optimized. In…
Blah, Better, Best
Ineffective gift officers will (perhaps) spend time with prospective donors; Better gift officers will spend time with prospective donors. And they, also, will invite the gift; The best gift officers will spend time with prospective donors. They, also, will invite the gift. And they will utilize the influence of others to increase the chances that…
Time and Money
Most every institutional and advancement leader will say they want to raise more money in the future. In fact, most will say adamantly that they need to raise more money in the future. However, many leaders will also say in the very next breath, “but we don’t have money to add a new gift officer…
Winging It And Authenticity
Some gift officers chafe at the idea that Prospect Discovery visits should be purposefully planned with specific questions prepared to ask. “It feels too staged. . . too inauthentic. . .to probe with specific, planned questions,” they respond when presented with questions they could ask the prospect. “I just let the conversation emerge organically and…