We live in an era when anyone can announce anything to everyone. You’d think that would be a good thing. In most cases, it’s not. Most of the time it’s a race for cheap attention. For nonprofits seeking the unearned notice of followers on social media, it’s quickly turned into a race to the bottom...
Larry C Johnson
Fundraising is a value-for-value proposition. But it’s not the value you’re probably thinking of. It’s not trinkets bought at auctions, dusty trophies or cheesy "thank you" notes. It’s definitely not the momentary feel-good after agreeing to “give a dollar to..." in the check-out lane. So what is it?...
It starts with the best of intentions. Your organization is focused on helping others — some in serious need.
When we decide to give someone a gift, we usually try really hard to get a gift that is meaningful to the person we’re giving it to.
When we’re trying to grow a business or an organization, there are several ways we can do it.
The only way to get things done is to take control of the situation and move forward. Success may be incremental.
When you’re building a fundraising program, it’s never a good idea simply to go with the grain.
We live in an age where people measure themselves against how “busy” they are.
When you ask a nonprofit leader or executive what they need most, the response is almost always “more money.”
No amount of “projections,” predictions based on past experience, can give you any assurance with a revenue-generating event.
We’ve all made needless mistakes in our lives. Mistakes, even outright failures, can be building blocks for eventual success.
Both bowling and tennis are competitive sports. Just ask anyone who’s serious about either. The question is: When you’re fundraising, which are you playing, bowling or tennis? It’s one or the other...
When you were in fifth grade, everything was planned. Safe. Secure. You’ve been in school a few years now. You get the drill. You’ve mastered the playground. The challenges of adolescence aren’t even on the horizon...
When you ask someone to invest in your cause, what’s the first question that pops into their mind? What’s the one real hurdle you’ll need to vault to get to “yes”?...
Since you think you’ve heard all of the objections to holding your annual gala and you believe you’ve answered all of them, I challenge you to work around this one! It’s the granddaddy of strategic fundraising truisms...
