Posts Tagged ‘major gifts’
The Big Gift — The Impossible Dream, or Is It?
Non-profit organizations spend most of their time responding to immediate pressures and crises, focusing a great deal on the short term. It seems as though time spent dreaming about huge contributions is a luxury many development professionals cannot afford. Nonetheless, focusing on the day-to-day needs of the organization should not prevent you from planning for…
Read MoreThanking Corporations
Few things are more important in development than recognizing and thanking donors. Proper donor recognition paves the way for successive, larger contributions. Good stewardship fosters a stronger relationship between the organization and the donor. It is also just the right thing to do. Non-profit organizations rely on charitable gifts for the completion of their missions,…
Read MoreSubmitting New Proposals to Foundations: Letter, Inquiry or Proposal?
We have all heard it before when planning for a major capital fund drive: “We’ll get lots of money from foundations and grants!” Of course, there are varying degrees of truth in that declaration. While they can make some substantial gifts, foundations in general account for less than 10% of all charitable giving in America.…
Read MoreSpecial Events — A Recipe For Success
Bring up the idea of staging a new special event at your next staff or board meeting, and chances are you will be met with shrieks of horror, glazed expressions and incoherent mumbling. Rare indeed is the nonprofit organization that approaches a sit-down dinner or a Las Vegas night with glee.
Read MoreReturn on Investment in Philanthropy
Many Boards and non-profits spend unprofitable time agonizing about return on investment in fundraising. The cost per dollar raised can range on average from 10 cents to 90 cents. Yet, the IRS is disturbed that 25% of all non-profits filing 990s, and reporting contributions of $500,000 or more annually, report $0 (Yes, that’s “Zero!”) on…
Read MorePledge Redemption – The Final Step to a Successful Capital Campaign
Whew! The campaign is finally over! We surpassed our goal in pledges and all we have to do now is sit back, watch the money come flowing in and plan the groundbreaking, right? Wrong.
Read MoreDeferring a Gift
Asking for a major gift is only half of the equation.
Read MoreFundraisers Think Like a Plant Manager
Similarities between a non-profit major gifts office and a manufacturing plant.
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