Posts Tagged ‘professional skill building’
Be Kind, Even When They Say No
If the first rule of fundraising is to ask, the second is to be kind about it. An organization should develop a true conviction of its worth and the services provided to others. Fundraisers should never solicit “hat in hand.” However, they should also never presume that a prospective donor has any obligation to give.…
Read MoreLeading on the Frontlines with a Coach on the Sidelines
Both for-profit and non-profit worlds are changing more rapidly today than ever. With daily advances in technology the pace will only increase. Competition is fierce. There are more non-profit organizations scrambling for limited resources. Each management team is required to do more—with less people. Boards want better results with the same budgets and staff.
Read MoreHow to Balance Nonprofit Needs and Resources
Nonprofit organizations invariably suffer from limited resources and a small staff trying to do the work of many. The resulting workload, as well as the personal connection many executives feel toward the group’s mission, can cause staff members to focus their attention within distinct boundaries. True objectivity can be clouded by fierce loyalty and passion…
Read MoreEffective Volunteer Management in a Campaign Setting
Effective volunteer management is at the core of a successful fundraising campaign. Volunteers represent a critical element for a variety of reasons. No one can tell the organization’s story better than a volunteer. They are often someone who has benefited from the organization, and can speak first-hand about the need filled by the group. They…
Read MoreBuying Locally Doesn’t Always Pay
Development directors for non-profit organizations are often laden with the responsibility to determine how to raise greater and greater amounts of money to help balance their organizations’ ever-growing budget. The most popular and traditional means employed is to increase the goal of the annual appeal. For a number of reasons—the economy, reduced governmental funding, weak…
Read MoreCapital Campaign and Fundraising Leadership: Developing A Personal Vision
IntroductionAre you a visionary? Or do you prefer to spend your time in the here and now, solving problems and getting on with things? Achieving a balance between ‘dreaming’ about a desired future state and living in the current state is difficult. Many of us have a strong inclination towards one or the other…very few…
Read MoreFundraising Solicitation: Dealing with Call Reluctance
Editor’s Note: This article was prepared for in-house training of our CDS Campaign Directors, but the subject matter (anxiety about making phone calls is prevalent in so many areas of sales, fundraising and life) is universal and so is the helpful advice contained herein. Thus, we present this for your consumption as fundraising professionals, as one of…
Read MoreSetting Realistic Goals in Your Fundraising
It is vital to establish realistic fundraising goals based on sound research and thorough planning. Realistic goals reflect both the organization’s understanding of its financial structure and its capability to challenge existing and prospective donors. To learn more about financial goal setting for your campaign, check out our related article. Setting Realistic Fundraising Goals Start…
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