Fundraiser Education

Nonprofit Equity: More Than Just Diversity and Inclusion
November 14, 2018 at 12:17 pm

In today’s changing climate, it’s important for nonprofits to consider equity, to not only improve the nonprofit on how they serve their community, but to promote that the nonprofit understands it, as well. But here’s a thought: It’s more than just diversity and inclusion...

You Must Listen Well to Succeed in the Nonprofit Sector
November 2, 2018 at 1:29 pm

I had a meeting the other day with a board member. My assignment was to ask for a pledge/gift to a fundraising effort we were undertaking. I did not know this individual well. He had a unique personality and communication style. I immediately realized that I would have to give 100 percent attention on literally…

Professional Reflections From My Birthday
October 19, 2018 at 12:42 pm

The older I get, the deeper and more intense my reflections become as I look in the mirror. I want share my professional reflections with you from this birthday, as I believe this process is important to one’s growth and development in the nonprofit sector...

What’s the Question?
October 18, 2018 at 12:12 pm

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”?...

What Brett Kavanaugh Can Teach Nonprofits
October 3, 2018 at 1:05 pm

Social norms provide the context for situations that typically account for 70 percent or more of the behaviors we see from constituents. In order to move our supporters, it’s important to understand them...

Seeing with a Beginner’s Mind
September 27, 2018 at 1:09 pm

Seeing problems or opportunities is a choice, but acknowledging reality is necessary for survival. You may see obstacles and limitations. Leave behind assumptions and look with the beginner's mind. We find what we look for and expect. Our experience colors our perspective...

10 Lessons Learned From a Decade of Investing in Senior Care
September 26, 2018 at 1:25 pm

Advocating for the causes we believe in is important to us, which is why we formed the Vital Life Foundation—to support organizations and programs that provide meaning and vitality in the lives of residents and staff members living and working in senior care...

Do You Have a Philanthropic Heart?
September 21, 2018 at 12:09 pm

When I was 11 years old, I played little league baseball and was a boy scout. I was also involved with Moose Lodge activities and other nonprofit organizations. In each of these cases, there were fundraising activities and events I was involved with in a variety of ways. I wanted to generate time, talent and treasure at an early age and had a philanthropic heart...

The Importance of Nonprofit Time Management
September 14, 2018 at 12:55 pm

Like all of us with management and fundraising responsibilities, we seek to maximize the amount of time doing the most important and productive functions at work. We know it is all about generating time, talent and treasure. But I was wondering if I was effectively employing the concept of time management. What is nonprofit time management?...

What We Can Learn From a Color Wheel
September 11, 2018 at 11:28 am

GraphicSprings created an infographic of colors from a color wheel with definitions that represent the colors of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, white and black. I will relate career experiences based upon the color cited...