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

By Cheryl P. Rose and Margaret Battistelli

Many disease-specific organizations battle the problem of establishing relationships with donors outside of the patient/family/friends circle, but Kelly says MJFF has a number of six- and seven-figure donors who give simply because they're impressed with the organization's "purity of motive."

Simply put, MJFF is the fund raising powerhouse that it is because it's tightly focused and able to clearly state its objectives and show results — something organizations of every size and mission can aspire to and attain.