AFP

The future of fundraising belongs to those organizations that refuse to stagnate, that opt for evolution over revolution, and are willing to embrace the shift. A shift in the fundraising paradigm that fine-tunes your efforts and your attitudes.

As fundraisers, we can get caught up with the strategic planning for our programs and achieving our quarterly goals — so much so that we neglect any intentional effort to manage our own careers. We still grow and get recognition, but it may be more haphazard because we couldn’t find enough time to develop a plan for our own career. If you’re stuck in that whirlpool, here are some non-time-consuming ways to manage your career and, therefore, impact your future.

If you are eager to build on your Association of Fundraising Professionals International Conference on Fundraising experience, or if you were unable to attend and travel to Philadelphia in two weeks is viable, let me encourage you to take advantage of another learning opportunity. FundRaising Success' Engage Conference is April 10. This is a small, interactive, case-study approach to fundraising with a direct-response focus. Last year's inaugural event was one of the best I have ever attended — check it out today!

During their session at the Association of Fundraising Professionals 51st International Conference on Fundraising in San Antonio, "How to Hang on to Your Donors: Successful Donor-Retention Strategies," Amnesty International Canada's Rosemary Oliver and Harvey McKinnon, president of Harvey McKinnon Associates, said the very best way to keep donors is to sign them up for monthly giving.

Some early tweets from #AFPICON, starting today in San Antonio.

Eileen Heisman, ACFRE, whose leadership as president and CEO of National Philanthropic Trust (NPT) has transformed it into the largest, independent provider of donor-advised funds in the U.S., has been named the 2014 Outstanding Fundraising Professional by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP).

The award is presented to the fundraiser who has practiced his or her profession in an exemplary manner for at least 15 years while generating significant revenue for his or her organizations.

I recently listened in on an interview between Gail Perry and Jay Love of Bloomerang. Do you know even know what percentage of donors you’re retaining? According to Love, less than 5 percent of fundraising offices know this answer! So you’re not alone. But you can do better.

Knowing your retention rate enables you to move it to something better. Did you know that a 10 percent increase in donor retention can increase the lifetime value (in dollars) of your donors by as much as 200 percent?

Recently, the Indiana Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals sponsored a "Speed Networking With an Experienced Fundraiser" event. This concept matched 22 senior-level professionals with a combined 600 years experience with 22 younger professionals.

Welcome to a new year and many challenges. Before you jump on the treadmill, take a deep breath and determine areas of personal focus for the upcoming year. Here is a blueprint for you, though each personal SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis differs. It is always wise to evaluate personal progress as we grow in our career paths. Look in the mirror, and create your own template.

At the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Philadelphia Chapter's National Philanthropy Day Awards luncheon, three fundraising pros discussed making the dreams of donors and volunteers come true.