The Michael J. Fox Foundation's unconvential path to fundraising success

By Cheryl P. Rose and Margaret Battistelli

"We start at zero each year, and 87 percent of what is raised is allocated [to research programs] that year," she explains. "Because of our aggressive model, [donors] understand our approach and believe strongly in accountability.

"We are highly transparent," she adds. "Our donors know exactly what we're doing with their money, and that's why we try to get in front of them as often as possible — because that's where we see the most success."