Acquisition
December 17, 2015 at 9:00 am
Mia and spoke last week regarding her organization’s donor acquisition program for 2016. Mia is the development director for an environmental organization in the Northwest. As she reviewed her plans, two words kept ringing in my head: “advocacy” and “fundraising.” What struck me was how she seemed to be conflating the two...
December 16, 2015 at 9:50 am
A recent survey shows retention has increased over the past few years. But many fundraising professionals view the report differently. They use it to reinforce their opinions that the industry has a retention problem. Yes, it continues to be a huge issue, but I’m not convinced the problem is any more significant than it always has been...
November 12, 2015 at 8:45 am
Peter’s Achilles is he cares for his supporters and would-be donors too much. You read it right. He just wants everyone to take his message to heart. He wants everyone to be on board. That’s simply not possible. It never will be, no matter how important, how urgent, how worthy. It just won’t. Not converting everyone to give is a failure. Expect to fail...
October 30, 2015 at 9:53 am
How many development employees does it take to staff a nonprofit effectively? The answer: Most nonprofits aren't sure. "There is no comprehensive data set on the size of the organization and development staff, and that is for a very good reason—organizations and development needs vary widely depending on the circumstances," said Kyle Caldwell, executive director…
September 10, 2015 at 9:55 am
Ever since it was launched from the temple-like headquarters of the National Geographic Society in Washington in 1888, National Geographic magazine has illuminated the world’s hidden places and revealed its natural wonders. On Wednesday, the iconic yellow-bordered magazine, beset by financial issues, entered its own uncharted territory. In an effort to stave off further decline,…
August 28, 2015 at 10:10 am
Duke University set a fundraising record last school year, pulling in $478 million in philanthropic gifts and contributions during the 2014-15 year. This marks a third consecutive record year for Duke. It also bests UNC-Chapel Hill, which also set a record last year, but raised $31 million less than Duke. Fundraising at the two universities…
August 14, 2015 at 1:34 pm
Reston, Virginia-based FrontStream Holdings, a provider of philanthropy solutions for nonprofits and corporations, has acquired BiddingForGood, Cambridge, Mass. This move is the latest in a series of strategic moves made by FrontStream Holdings, and is consistent with its commitment to the development of a completely comprehensive platform for nonprofits and corporations...
July 16, 2015 at 8:50 am
I had the opportunity to speak with the marketing director of a federated health-related charity in Australia last week. Claire reached out to me to ask about jumpstarting donor acquisition in her organization. She told me of recent changes in her national organization. A number of individual local chapters were recently combined in a federated arrangement under a national umbrella...
June 8, 2015 at 1:36 pm
Health insurance giant Blue Shield of California is facing more questions over its loss of tax-exempt status as it tries to win state approval of a $1.2-billion acquisition. A former Blue Shield executive is accusing the San Francisco insurer of giving contradictory answers to state officials about its corporate structure. And consumer advocates are calling…
May 27, 2015
We have to be out there—identifying, cultivating, engaging and asking prospective donors. The best way to ensure that this is being done is to set goals and to measure activity and success.
