Professional Skill Building
Facebook 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 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…
Read MoreDream, Plan & Deliver — Three Steps to Successful Fundraising
Are you the one that everyone looks to as the star fundraiser in your organization? Do you provide the leadership and create the excitement for which your advancement or development office is searching? If so, great! Keep up the good work and send us some of your success stories so that we can include them…
Read MoreConsistent, Methodical Work
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” – 2 Timothy 4:7 Why do some people seem to achieve the greatest heights? What do they do differently than most people? Are they more intelligent, physically stronger or more gifted or talented? I think not. They are…
Read More6 Parts of an Effective Fundraising Offer
In his video from 2015, Jeff Brooks from TrueSense Marketing explores the 40/40/20 rule of direct marketing and its role in fundraising. The 40/40/20 rule suggests that 40% of the success of a direct marketing campaign comes from the quality of your list, 40% from your request, and 20% from the creative. The video touches…
Read MoreHow to make A Difference? Your Development Office Sending Handwritten Notes
Effective, personal communication is a critical aspect of any career. This is certainly true in fundraising. As technology grows, the quantity of communication going on—cell phones, e-mail, laptops, personal data assistants—keeps going up. Quantity is certainly important, as the wider our network of friends the more we can do to help our organization. There is…
Read MoreThe Development Officer’s Challenge
Staying Connected as We Approach our ‘Next Normal’ Over the past year, we have all been encouraged to keep our social lives to our immediate family. We long for the connection of a handshake or a hug with an old friend. I always remind new clients that development and stewardship should not really be called…
Read MoreSeven Ways to Grow Your Network
In order to grow your network, it’s important to create great relationships and expand the influence and reach of your organization. But this process doesn’t just happen; you have to make a consistent effort at it. You need to be with the people who can help to shift the power balance in favor of your…
Read More