Giving is Good
The big ask captivates us. “If she would only give us the $1.5 million. . . ” “If that company would only be our event’s title sponsor. . . ” The big ask is so captivating, in fact, that it’s tempting to start there. “Let’s go ask and see what they say!” is the trill…
“What are you going to say, ‘no’ to?” I asked this question of a client when their alumni relations team was looking at their annual planning calendar and it was clear they had more great ideas than they could implement. I posed the question not only to get them to think about prioritizing their list…
“If we are going to have success in this next campaign, we will need to find new major donors.” Almost certainly you have heard a board member, a president, or someone else state something similar. Or, perhaps, you have said something similar! While there are a variety of issues related to this type of statement,…
When we attempt a new task, most of us usually aren’t that good at it. It can feel awkward the first time we attempt to ice skate. Presenting for the first time in front of a group can create anxiety. Baking a cake for the first time can be a messy (and, perhaps, a less…
This past Friday night, my teenaged son and I traveled to Nashville, TN, to see the University of Tennessee Volunteers play football against the University of Virginia. We stayed at a Hilton hotels property that night and, upon check-in, the front desk attendant asked if she could have my mobile phone number to put on…
Positive thinking, or maintaining a positive attitude even in difficult circumstances, has been shown to have various tangible personal benefits. From workplace productivity to stress reduction to higher brain functioning, working on seeing the good in people and situations is smart. Negative thought patterns, on the other hand, are correlated with a number of less-than-helpful…
People, businesses, and foundations make charitable gifts to your institution every day. Comprehensive (unrestricted) gifts, restricted gifts, and, gifts of all amounts. The motivations behind each of these gifts are almost as numerous as the number of gifts themselves. Important to keep in mind, though, that donors are motivated to make major gifts to your…
Advancement leaders consistently talk about the need for volunteer leaders to be enthusiastic advocates for the institution. However, Advancement leaders rarely help their volunteer leaders develop the courage to advocate on behalf of the institution when faced with concerns, critiques, criticisms, and disapprovals from donors and other constitutes. For instance: A major donor shares privately…
When it comes to fundraising, we regularly plan our actions and activities. Maybe we’re going to: finalize the Run of Show for our upcoming giving day create the next direct mail solicitation package plan the next special event design the annual impact report ask the donor to make a gift Or maybe it’s a hundred…
You’ve invited one of your best prospective major donors to make a significant gift to help construct an exciting new facility. You know that the donor is generous and has made other significant gifts in the past. You know that the donor values your mission. You know that the donor agrees that constructing this facility…