Giving is Good
When it comes to fundraising results, the first, easiest, and most misguided focus is on speed: “How quickly can the money be raised for the new building?” “I needed more unrestricted gifts yesterday!” “When will we reach the campaign goal?” Instead, the healthier, more accommodative focus should always be on direction: “In our community, who…
When you are the hiring decision-maker, you are wise to seek and receive input on the final candidates for the position from a variety of sources: people who will be colleagues with the new team member, people who will report to the new team member, donors who are close to your institution, etc. Worth keeping…
Inviting gifts via direct mail is “not dead.” In fact, it is a vital, effective channel to invite gifts from all prospective donors, including younger prospects. Like direct mail, using the phone to effectively invite gifts is “not dead.” In fact, when we create a fun, engaging, high-energy event, we can gather groups of people…
The primary problem with position searches is that institutions view them as episodic and discrete activities. When a position becomes open, the response is to conduct a search. This doesn’t match a reality in which there are so many opportunities and benefits that employers are willing to offer and so few capable people. These opportunities/benefits…
The best advancement teams are an integration of role-specific professionals. From advancement services, to development, to constituent relations, to communications, high-functioning teams recognize both the specific functional roles of each team member as well as the integration among all those roles and members. On the other hand, focusing all team members, regardless of role, on…
Generous charitable support is consistently motivated by: being invited to give by someone the giver admires; believing in or having been personally impacted by the institution’s mission; trusting in the institution’s leaders to deliver on their vision for the future; having a personal connection with the institution today; believing that making this gift will be…
When he unveiled the original iMac computer in 1998, Steve Jobs told us that the “i” in Apple products stood for “internet.” However, as the spate of new “i” products from Apple emerged, one could also define the “i” as a stand-in for “individual” as well. The iPhone, iPad, iTunes, etc., have provided individuals with…
In today’s social media soaked world, almost everyone is amplifying something. Whether we are liking or following or commenting or pausing to read, all of us are signaling and boosting particular themes, memes, and narratives. It wasn’t that long ago that only giant media companies had the reach and resources to amplify and promote to…
Organizational charts matter. They aren’t the final answer to the question of “how effective are we?” But they are an important component of that answer. When we don’t communicate based on the organizational chart, we risk problems. Take, for instance, a Dean of a college engaging the Foundation CEO regularly instead of her gift officer….
In August of 2009, Usain Bolt became the fastest human to ever cover 100 meters under their own power. He ran the distance in 9.58 seconds, easily besting his previous record of 9.69. It was an astonishing feat of speed, power, and coordination. He was superhuman that night. Not long after, I remember reading an…