Posts Tagged ‘major gifts’
Building External Constituencies and Departmental Fundraising
University departmental isolationism is a thing of the past. The watchword of twenty-first century academe is engagement. University Deans have seen the terms advancement, development, and fund raising added to their job description. Now department heads are being presented with the same challenge.
Read MoreBuilding an Annual Campaign
This is the second article in a two-part series on starting and building annual giving programs. Many of the methods used for annual giving are the same as those used for major gift solicitations, just on a different scale. Development is all about building friendships.
Read MoreCreating a Culture of Fundraising in Your Organization
In my work with organizations around the country, I find that one of the biggest obstacles to fundraising success is groups’ inability to mobilize diverse people in the organization to participate in fundraising activities. Staff and board members come to trainings to learn the skills and strategies, but only a handful of people end up…
Read MoreHow long should an Endowment Campaign Run?
There comes a time in an endowment campaign when the initial urgency of the need inherent in the campaign’s case for support begins to fade. The excitement of the kickoff, anticipation of success as the personal solicitations begin, the first promising results — can go for naught if the campaign goes on too long. As…
Read MoreThe Power of a Positive Suggestion for a Fundraising Gift
Asking for money is, for many people, one of the most difficult things to do. For those of us involved with not-for-profit organizations, however, it is a critical task. We have to continually work to identify and assess new prospects. We must also hone our skills as solicitors. Even the most experienced fundraiser needs to…
Read MoreThe Major Gift Visit – Firing for Effect
Major gifts are the key to successful fund-raising. Major gifts take many forms, often depending on the needs, the goal and the method of solicitation. For the purposes of this discussion, major gifts are the top gifts in a capital campaign that comprise at least 60% of the funds raised. Typically, major gifts in a…
Read MoreProfessional Fees
There are not many barriers to entry to the fundraising consulting profession. New people hang out a shingle every day. Some have considerable experience, yet many do not. All you need is a phone, and/or a website, a laptop and voila, you are and expert—perhaps working in the neighborhood Starbucks as your office. That is…
Read MoreThe Future of Planned Giving – Seniors and the Online Revolution
Almost 80% of the wealth in the U.S. is in the hands of older Americans. The Depression/World War II generation controls over $43 trillion, which it will transfer to families, the government and those charities who can get their messages through. The median net worth of older households in 1993, the latest year for which…
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