When you are looking for a staff replacement in the nonprofit fundraising profession, it is easy to immediately place an advertisement and hope for a quick match. That usually doesn't happen. Take the time to reflect on the position and person needed for the position as it is needed today, not several years ago when the departing staff member was hired. You now have a new opportunity to make changes based upon the current and future strategic direction of your fundraising program.
The added money to invest in acquisition this year may not be enough to solve all your problems, but if you make it work hard and then show the results of that investment, the challenge to get more may be a bit easier next year, and the year after that.
Allow yourself the essential luxury of thinking longer term. Not day to day — but month by month, year-end and even two to three years out for you and your organization.
Let's talk about how much profit we make from our different fundraising strategies. Let's educate our leaders to think differently about fundraising.
You cannot control leadership transition, but you can control how you deal with it and you can be prepared for it.
This is crucial. Your organization will never grow if your top leader cannot embrace fundraising and understand it's a large part of the job.
Relationships can be magical when nurtured. Be sure that you are focused on the right professional relationships to ensure success for you and the worthy cause you represent!
At the 2014 Bridge Conference, Wounded Warrior Project's Steve Nardizzi took on the charity watchdogs and media, saying nonprofits should manage to their missions, not to misguided assumptions about overhead ratios.
How are you going to approach fundraising? From the Magnificent Side or from the Dark Side?
So many organizations carry volunteers who are burned out, tuned out and left the organization mentally some time ago. You need to say goodbye to them with grace and praise, plus begin to recruit fresh blood ASAP. You also must do everything possible to love your volunteers and know each person well enough to understand each individual's needs and wants.
