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Category: Uncategorized

Blah, Better, Best

Posted on September 6, 2022September 5, 2022 by Jason McNeal

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…

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Us vs. Them

Posted on March 7, 2022March 7, 2022 by Jason McNeal

It works to make us feel better in the moment.  It works to help us not examine our own possibilities, problems, or opportunities.  It works to deflect responsibility. But it only works for so long. In time, “us vs. them” thinking crashes under its own weight of fear, insecurities, doubt, self-absorption, non-factual biases, and too…

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Invited To The Dance

Posted on December 16, 2021December 15, 2021 by Jason McNeal

Being invited to the dance is not the same as being invited to dance.  But we often treat them similarly. For instance, we may wonder why an alumni event (either in-person or virtual) doesn’t draw as many people as we had hoped.  “They were invited to the event,” we grouse. Or, we might question why…

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Now What?

Posted on November 26, 2021November 25, 2021 by Jason McNeal

In the U.S. yesterday Thanksgiving was celebrated. Most people paused the routines of regular life to reflect on their good fortunes, to express appreciation and show gratitude, and generally, to give thanks. Now what? For most, it’s back to routines.  Or, for others, it’s on to Black Friday, the official start of the holiday shopping…

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Building a Bird Nest

Posted on August 3, 2021 by Jason McNeal

It takes birds – depending on species, materials used, construction type, etc. – between 2 days and 2 weeks to construct a nest. Most people, though, don’t pay much attention to the nest building process.  Instead, we walk by a tree in our yard or in the park and are surprised when we find a…

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Believing and Knowing

Posted on August 2, 2021August 2, 2021 by Jason McNeal

That beliefs drive human decision-making has never been evidenced any more dramatically than we currently are witnessing in the United States – and elsewhere around the world – with respect to COVID-19 vaccine uptake. Reading stories about people who would rather be hospitalized (or worse) than receive a vaccine suggests that something different than knowledge…

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Strategy vs. Enthusiasm

Posted on December 3, 2020 by Jason McNeal

How should we go about inviting Mrs. Howard to make the lead gift? You might be inclined to respond to this strategy question by seeking to know more about Mrs. Howard as a person and as a donor.  You would probably want to know more about her history with your institution, her financial capacity, the…

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The 3 Questions Major Gift Officers Confuse

Posted on October 1, 2020September 27, 2020 by Jason McNeal

“What amount could this donor give if she was enthusiastic about this request and our institution was her number 1 charitable giving priority?” “What amount am I going to invite her to give?” “What amount do I think she will give?” Far too often, major gift officers either do not know or are vague in…

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“How Do You Know. . .?”

Posted on August 3, 2020August 7, 2020 by Jason McNeal

When it comes right down to it, you are, at heart and in practice, an educator. You educate donors regarding the needs of those you serve and how your institution can better fulfill those needs with the help of their support.  You educate new donors or “not yet” donor prospects on why their consistent, year-in-year-out…

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A Brighter Light

Posted on July 13, 2020August 7, 2020 by Jason McNeal

  We often work in dim light.  There are questions to every problem we are working on for which we don’t yet have clarity.  Sometimes important questions.  And sometimes the problems themselves are important. You may be finalizing a direct mail piece.  How many segments of that solicitation should you employ to get the highest…

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