Posts by David Phillips
The Big Gift — The Impossible Dream, or Is It?
Non-profit organizations spend most of their time responding to immediate pressures and crises, focusing a great deal on the short term. It seems as though time spent dreaming about huge contributions is a luxury many development professionals cannot afford. Nonetheless, focusing on the day-to-day needs of the organization should not prevent you from planning for…
Read MoreThe Benefits of Bringing an Outsider Inside Your World
There are any number of reasons why a not-for-profit organization should retain fundraising counsel for their capital campaign. Having an experienced resident director guide you through the pitfalls of capital fundraising can be the secret to success. A decision to not get additional help can place your campaign, and therefore the growth of your organization,…
Read MoreThe Ask — There is a Way to Ask, and then there is a RIGHT WAY to Ask
Perhaps the most critical part of a capital campaign is ‘‘the ask’’ing process, especially with major gifts. Each solicitation is an opportunity to close another great gift, but it is also possible to make some critical errors. We have all made the mistake of low-balling a potential prospect with an “ask” that was too easy…
Read MoreThe 5.4 Percent Solution
How much should foundations have to give to charity? More than they do.
Read MoreThanking Donors – Once Is Never Enough
I came across an old Chinese custom once that said you should thank someone seven times when they give you a gift. As a fundraiser, I thought this was a great standard to which we should hold our efforts. In our business, there are few things more important than recognizing our donors.
Read MoreThanking Corporations
Few things are more important in development than recognizing and thanking donors. Proper donor recognition paves the way for successive, larger contributions. Good stewardship fosters a stronger relationship between the organization and the donor. It is also just the right thing to do. Non-profit organizations rely on charitable gifts for the completion of their missions,…
Read MoreTell It to Them Straight
As non-profit professionals, we rely on volunteers to complete our work, and the mission of our organization. Individuals who give their time and energy—above and beyond their financial commitment—are the lifeblood of charitable groups. Volunteers come in many forms. People may be long-term volunteers as a member of the board, they may be short-term volunteers…
Read MoreA Major Fundraising Capital Campaign –Take Your Marks, Get Set, and Go!
Preparing for a major fundraising campaign can be a momentous process in the life of a non-profit organization. Board members, executives, and professionals are excited and probably more than a little anxious as they consider how best to begin the complicated and important process of raising major capital commitments. The objective viewpoint of experienced campaign…
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