Professional Fundraising
3 Necessities to Consider When Soliciting a Gift
In everyday life, asking for financial support is something many of us struggle with. When confronting someone with such delicate requests, we ask ourselves questions like: The truth is, asking for financial support is challenging in any context, and in many cases, the answers to these questions vary greatly. Here at Custom Development Solutions, our…
Read MoreAdvocacy 101: Where to start
This week, I’ll be attending Habitat for Humanity’s Habitat on the Hill event in Washington, DC. I started attending years ago, when I worked for a local affiliate in Tennessee, and it remains one of my favorite events of the year. We’ll be celebrating the successes of Habitat affiliates around the country who have enhanced the…
Read MoreCampaign Meetings with Sizzle . . . and Efficiency
The first questions potential campaign volunteers pose often focus on time. Typical time commitments include prospect communication such as calling to set appointments, writing door-opener and follow-up letters, and actually making visits. These are time-consuming activities, and volunteers usually understand that they are essential and that only they can perform these duties.
Read MoreWhat is the Importance of Campaign Report Meetings?
Capital campaigns are extraordinary undertakings requiring extraordinary effort from those involved. “Those involved” include the fundraising professionals responsible for designing and implementing the campaign, professional staff of the organization, the donors and volunteers. The purpose of this article is to focus on one element in the implementation of the campaign plan that requires the active…
Read MorePreparing for a Campaign Feasibility and Planning Study 2nd Edition
With each year, more and more non-profit organizations are preparing to enter into capital campaigns to construct or update facilities, build endowments, supplement operations and pursue other worthy financial goals. The more successful of these organizations will hire consulting firms to conduct Campaign Feasibility and Planning Studies. Identifying the best possible consulting firm for your…
Read MoreFacebook Events: Why do they matter to your nonprofit?
At CDS we’re somewhat contrary when it comes to events as fundraisers because of the time and energy they can take to organize. However, they’re great friend-raisers and serve as a platform for you to build awareness in the community you serve beyond your core supporters.
Read More5 Steps for Building a Nonprofit Board That Works
Like Robert’s Rules of Orders that governs parliamentary procedures, or the Agendas and Minutes that move boards through the process of good management and top-notch record keeping, structure around board development can be a safeguard against the unimaginable. The viability of your organization depends on these basics of best practices in non-profit management. A Nominating…
Read MoreEighteen Lessons on Leadership
Every one of us has leadership roles to assume. Wherever we are leaders, the position, by its very name, demands we provide the best influence possible for others. But how do we learn to be a leader? General Colin Powell has written eloquently on his view of leadership in “A Leadership Primer.” While his views…
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