General Articles
Boosting Your Campaign’s Annual Support
Have you recently found yourself in charge of running or developing your organization’s annual fund campaign? Are you looking at ways to bolster your annual support? Do you ever wonder if your organization is pursuing the most effective path to raising annual support? No matter which stage or circumstance you find yourself in, taking a…
Read MoreAn Ounce of Prevention Is Worth a Pound of Cure
I work with many of non-profit organizations, and one thing I cannot help but fret is the lack of proper training and understanding in how to use computers and technology. Since so many non-profit organizations are terribly small, they usually have very tightly limited budgets. Unfortunately, this causes them to be “penny wise and pound…
Read MoreStructuring Your Capital Campaign Leadership
Inspirational leadership is imperative for any fundraising campaign! This leadership is not confined to one person, nor one campaign role. It is needed from at least three, or perhaps more, positions within a typical campaign organization. Read on to learn more about the different roles of capital campaign leadership and how their time, effort, energy,…
Read MoreWhat to Do When You Really Disagree with a Board Decision
Have you ever been in a situation where the board has made a decision that you think is very, very wrong, and will have severe negative consequences for the organization? Or where you think an important decision has been railroaded through? As a board member myself and something of a contrarian, I’ve found myself in…
Read MoreHow to Cultivate Stronger Relationships
Good friendships get better with time, especially if you put in the work to nurture them. Likewise, to achieve success for your organization, it’s vital both to cultivate new potential connections and strengthen your existing ones. Read on to learn how to cultivate stronger relationships with your board members, donors, volunteers, and other stakeholders. Spark…
Read MoreMajor Giving for Arts & Culture
Cultural enrichment is important for every community. Larger cities have many nonprofits that serve to grow the interest in arts and culture: art museums, botanical gardens, community parks, chorales, symphonies, operas, historical museums, zoos and other cultural enrichment organizations. The question then becomes, what financial support do these organizations have, since many could be competing…
Read MoreLocal Spotlight: Avery Research Center presents ISMs
CDS is proud of our colleauges who donate their time and talent in the community. Bridget Stahl, CDS Campaign Associate, is no exception. Bridget came to CDS through her work with RosaLuz, a children’s charity she established to work with underprivileged and at risk youth both locally right here in Charleston, SC where she calls home…
Read MoreLife Is About Connections
Part I: Prologue Roughly a year ago, my desk was piled high with drafts and revisions for an application to the National Community Stabilization Trust (NCST) so that a client, Jumpstart Prison Ministry could be approved to receive low-income designated, affordable housing. Jumpstart is a group dedicated to preparing inmates to reenter society with the…
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