Professional Fundraising

Community foundations develop funds as well as make grants. They bring together people who care about their communities, they help donors achieve their charitable goals, and they invest in their communities by making effective and timely grants. But how they do this and the balance between these different things varies from place to place. Even…

What attracts us to some leaders, and makes us avoid others? I once knew a leader who could hold a room full of crusty, hard-nosed manufacturing managers spellbound for hours. People flocked to hear him speak. Even in the cold of winter, at -30C, they would leave hearth and home, and brave the elements to…

Charity auctions have been a part of the nonprofit world for a long time and for good reason. They are enjoyable for attendees, they add some excitement before dinner galas, and they have the potential to raise a great deal of much needed revenue for an organization. So, what are nonprofits doing differently now that…

Philanthropy in communities of color has historically gone unrecognized. In fact, many assume the relationship between philanthropists and ethnic communities is one of giving to people of color by people who are not. The majority of studies about philanthropy in America have focused on elite philanthropy, that is, the philanthropy of affluent white donors. These…

Best selling author and clinical psychologist, Mary Pipher writes and speaks about our culture “that has fallen apart” and our communities that “no longer exist.” “Community is an abstract idea like the wilderness,” she says. “It has become more desirable as it becomes more extinct.”

While the personal touch of a hand written message or a telephone call is always to be desired, in this day of instantaneous electronic communication e-mail is a fact of life. This being the case, please consider the following ways to make your business e-mail communications polite, personal and friendly. Your communications, in whatever form,…