Executive Issues

Although the outcomes of any given fundraising effort cannot be known with absolute certainty, assessing the probability of success isn't entirely guesswork, either.

How can you understand the communication experience your donors are having if you don't have it all written down?

We believe that managers actually need to manage their major-gifts officers. Sadly, the state of management in the nonprofit sector is sorely lacking. It's just very rare to come across a good manager who really knows how to develop people.

Stopping a downward spiral is doable — but not without investing time and effort, and enduring some short-term pain.

It takes an investment of time and money and a commitment of focus to achieve transformational fundraising results. But isn't that  what your mission deserves?

Ted Hart speaks with organizational development, fundraising, evaluation and strategic planning teacher and consultant Reid A. Zimmerman about his seven deadly sayings from his new book, "The Seven Deadly Sayings of Nonprofit Leaders: Avoiding Them in Your Organization," on his Nonprofit Coach radio show.

Consistent fundraising success doesn't just happen. It takes serious work and commitment. And many organizations have a hard time getting it right.

Do you have a written operational plan to follow for you and your team? Having a plan helps you see and evaluate the current road map already in place. A plan review helps you determine what resources your organization needs and helps you set goals and objectives for the future. Having said this, you must be experienced with plans and have a vision for what the "master" plan should be, or you may be missing the boat. In this case, mentors, peers or consultants can provide templates for you to use.

If you are struggling with an employee or a board member and your gut says to move him or her along, then make a plan and do it!

The next time you're tempted to say "I'm not interested," I highly recommend you break that down and understand what is really holding you back.