Capital Campaigns — Dream the Impossible Dream
Through our work as capital campaign consultants and a fundraising consulting firm, the members of Custom Development Solutions (CDS) are, at any given time, talking with representatives of dozens of non-profit organizations across the US and Canada. Serving as the hub for that much dialogue allows us to make observations and draw conclusions about the…
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 MoreDon’t Let Life Pass You By – Seize the Moment
Most of Custom Development Solution’s work revolves around the planning and resident direction of capital campaigns, which is a very intensive hands-on service. Frequently the first step I take with a potential client is to sit and listen to them describe their organization from their history and origins to their vision for the future and…
Read MoreConsistent, Methodical Work
By: David Phillips “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.…
Read MoreFundraising: Donor Discovery Visits Find ‘Treasure’
What’s the most effective way to raise money? Special events, direct mail, phone calls? The reality that many board members of nonprofit organizations often find difficult to confront is that face-to-face visits remain the most effective strategy for fundraising, far outpacing special events, direct mail and telephone calls. Personal visits for fundraising fall into three…
Read MoreCommunicate Effectively
We’ve all been on one side or the other of a big communication blunder, whether you received the same email twice from two different people, or someone gave you the wrong address for an 8AM meeting so now you’re late.
Read More6 Parts of an Effective Fundraising Offer
In his video, 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 on all…
Read More6 Signs Your Non Profit Needs a New Website
Are you getting that sinking feeling that your nonprofit’s website isn’t helping your mission as much as it could? Having an effective website is an important step to achieving your goals. Look for these six signs that your nonprofit needs a new website, and find tools and tips to better assess how your current site…
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