The Importance of Self-Assessment
October 22, 2021 at 8:10 am

Employees who self-evaluate are typically happier, more committed, more productive, and more loyal to the organizations they serve. A tool that can be used for self-analysis is a SWOT Analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats).

The New Peer-to-Peer Landscape: A Shift From Hosting Events to Building Communities
October 19, 2021 at 12:59 pm

Instead of getting great at running events, we should have been systematizing and improving methods that foster community. Providing peer-to-peer participants with a way to communicate with each other is key. We have been shouting at constituents instead of building ways for them to talk to each other.

Who Are the Quiet Leaders in Sustainer Giving?
October 18, 2021 at 11:21 am

What’s the first nonprofit you think of with a huge sustainer program? Did you guess your local public broadcasting station? Probably not. But yet, most public TV and radio stations are leading the pact when it comes to sustainer giving. They started asking for monthly gifts many years ago.

How To Confuse Your Major Donor
October 11, 2021 at 1:13 am

I hear too many speeches, sit in too many meetings, and receive too many communications (written and electronic) where the author starts off by building the case and then finally gets to the reason for building it. This tactic will confuse your major donor.

The Spirit of Giving Time, Talent and Treasure
October 8, 2021 at 1:16 pm

The spirit of giving time, talent and treasure is important to the long-term success of nonprofits. Happy volunteers and donors will encourage others to follow suit...

Do You Know Your Donor?
October 4, 2021 at 9:49 am

You and I have a desire to be connected to others and when that other person shows you that they know you, that connection strengthens. Even when you may not know the other person that well, a personal touch will immediately strengthen that relationship...

Don’t Ever Give Up on Monthly Giving Programs!
October 4, 2021 at 9:36 am

The theme of the exhibits at the Wright Brothers National Memorial visitor center focused on several wonderful motivational messages, which helped to motivate the Wright brothers. But those are also oh so true when it comes to monthly giving...

How Can You Boost Year-End Giving? Part 2
October 1, 2021 at 11:44 am

Can you believe the final quarter of the calendar year is here? For everyone in the nonprofit universe, it is go-time for year-end giving! The pace of work is faster and the urgency to succeed is greater...

Create a Magical Experience To Grow Recurring Donors
September 27, 2021 at 11:47 am

I especially like the magical approach that the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children took instead of referring to the donor newsletter. It’s funny how something as simple as this can get the creative juices flowing. You indeed can create some magical experiences for your recurring donors...

Your Major Gift Work Is Not About the Money
September 27, 2021 at 11:43 am

As a major gifts officer, the primary question asked is, essentially, “How’s the money coming in?” The finance office needs to know because it can't pay the bills with air. The goal you made also set an expectation that a certain amount of money would come in. So, it is a fair question...