Posts by David Phillips
Special Events — Good Times, Great Fundraisers
Special Events: those two words are like a physician’s reflex mallet with Development professionals and non-profit executives. And I’ve just struck the collective knee. As soon as you read ‘special events’ your brain reached deep down into its ancient mammalian part where instinct rules. Did it instantly send you an image of a cheesy low-rent…
Read MoreWhy People Say No
Soliciting major gifts is a difficult process, fraught with potential landmines. It requires a great deal of experience, knowledge, and wisdom to chart a path through this course. If a non-profit organization hopes to execute a successful fundraising effort, they must first identify some of the missteps that can lead prospective donors to say “no.”
Read MoreSpecial Events — A Recipe For Success
Bring up the idea of staging a new special event at your next staff or board meeting, and chances are you will be met with shrieks of horror, glazed expressions and incoherent mumbling. Rare indeed is the nonprofit organization that approaches a sit-down dinner or a Las Vegas night with glee.
Read MoreWhy People Give
Of all the critical elements to a major gift solicitation, perhaps none is greater than the idea of preparation. The ideal goal is to learn enough about your prospect so that you can predict their response and have a ready answer for all of their questions and concerns. If you can eliminate all, or most,…
Read MoreWhom Do We Serve – Do You Really Know Your Constituents?
Do you like to watch people? Are you, like so many people, completely happy sitting in your organization’s lobby, snack shop, cafeteria or other common area watching the people come and go? Do you ever wonder to yourself, who are these people, where do they live, work, and play? To which political party do they…
Read MoreWho Asks Whom and for How Much?
In the beginning of any campaign, there are many important decisions to make, but none is more important than who is asked first, and for how much money. Those of you involved in classic major gifts fundraising know that it is crucial to start with the largest gifts first, before moving gradually through medium sized…
Read MoreWhat’s in Your Organization’s Wallet?
What’s in your wallet is a familiar credit card marketing line, but what’s in your organization’s wallet is a question all non-profit organizations should consider if they are thinking of doing a capital campaign. Probably the most valuable asset in your organization’s “wallet” is your board of trustees.
Read MoreWhat’s the Difference Between Being PRESENT and Being PRESIDENT – Your ID!
By one distinction, there are two kinds of people in the world: those who get ahead, and those who just get by. Determining the characteristics that allow us to bridge that gap can bring a great deal of success and satisfaction. And yet, for most people, it seems to be enough to simply glide through…
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