Giving is Good
A math student takes an exam and ends up with the right answer to a particular problem. However, the professor notices that the student made a small mistake in his calculations to solve the problem. Regardless of the student’s natural aptitude toward math, will the professor be more or less forgiving of the miscalculation if…
“What I really need are funds that have no strings attached. What would really help us generate more impact through our programs is unrestricted money.” If you sit with nonprofit leaders of any stripe and type and ask them what they really need, this response will almost surely be in their top 2-3, if not…
Your case statement isn’t designed to delight every prospect. Your proposal isn’t crafted to appeal to every donor. Your website can’t be created to attract every visitor. Your direct mail solicitation isn’t written to enthrall every reader. You shouldn’t be seeking to connect with everyone. That’s a fool’s errand. Far too wide and too broad…
In 2 days, over 2 billion people worldwide (or about 1/3 of the world’s population) will celebrate the Christmas holiday. Whether folks celebrate Christmas as a religious or cultural event, a primary component of the holiday is the act of “gift giving.” During the Christmas season, people give gifts to friends. They give gifts to…
If you provide leadership to an individual or team, you have 5 responsibilities: Goals – With their input, agree to the 4-6 most meaningful goals to their role or function that should be achieved over the next year. These goals should be specific, quantifiable or timebound; Plan – Help them (as needed) prepare and present…
No phrase in professional life is met with more frustration. It is almost always wholly unsatisfactory as a response, hints at passive aggression, and underlies a stubborn unwillingness to change. However, “that is how we’ve always done it,” is also a helpful reminder for leaders. When that phrase is used, we tend to focus on…
Leaders regularly engage with different groups to advance the enterprise in various ways. In many instances, though, we don’t address well the fundamental questions those groups have about our expectations for their service. Here is a handy chart that provides some language to help clarify the role and purpose for 5 key groups who are…
In stark and startling-fast fashion, Americans are choosing to be alone more than ever before. According to various reports, by 2021, adults in the U.S. were spending 58% less time with family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers, than they were in 2014. Meanwhile, the amount of time spent completely alone has increased at a similar pace…
For a number of years now, the four members of our family have annually used this month to identify charitable organizations we feel are doing good work and, then, have made a gift to each. Each child, my wife, and I have each chosen our own organizations to support. It’s been a rewarding, educational, and…
your social media efforts are working? your gift officers are effective? your annual giving program is growing sustainably? your stewardship program is engaging? your database is healthier? your constituent relations program is expanding? By the way, “I will know because we are raising more money!” is a horrible response to all of these questions. Gift…