Have you ever looked back on some of your old work? It can be fun to reflect on those memories and special projects. It can also be a humbling experience. I came across some work from over ten years ago and thought, "I wish I knew then what I know today." So what...

"Be mindful of the fact that every time you attempt to communicate more than one thing, you’re splintering the attention of those you’re talking to—whether they’re customers or colleagues. If it’s necessary to deliver multiple messages, find a common theme that...

Did you know halftime is much more important than just giving players time to rest. That’s only part of it. Halftime is a crucial moment for strategizing and making adjustments for the second half. Teams enter the game with a plan, and halftime allows them to...

Summer, Summer, Summertime... "... time to sit back and unwind" is what DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince said in 1991. For nonprofit leaders and fundraisers, it's a real challenge to find time for rest and relaxation. We all know by now how important it is, but...

All the small things. Yes, a classic Blink-182 hit back when we all listened to the latest hits on FM radio. It's also all the seemingly small things that end up making a big difference our work. Some "small things" are one time actions while others are habits that...

Are you in good fundraising-shape? Yes, I know. Dieting is "out". It's short-term thinking, and that's why most diets fail. The motivation behind a diet is important. It's generally someone who wants be healthier and a diet, in their mind, is the action plan to...

Years ago, I was in a meeting with our development committee and heard a member ask, "What does our major gift strategy look like?" As a young development director, I thought, "Major gift strategies are for big nonprofits, universities, and hospital systems"....

How many times per year do have meaningful conversations with major donors without an ask? The most common answer I hear is, "Not as many as we'd like." It's understandable. There are many reasons why it's hard to make this a reality. So why should you stop...

It may seem like April is a strange time to talk about development plans. However, there's never a bad time to work on your fundraising strategies. Whether you need to review your existing plan or need to finally make one, the sooner the better. First, let's...

Spring is finally here and with it comes one of my favorite activities, spring cleaning. Time to roll up your sleeves and re-establish order in your world. However, spring cleaning isn't limited to our closets and garages. It's a great time to organize some of our...

In the sixties, people theorized because of technological advancements and innovation the work week would shrink to 25 hours by the nineties. We could get everything done in a fraction of the time. Some worried there would be a leisure crisis in America. There were...

A recent study found 26% of executive directors and development directors see data management as a current critical issue for their organization. This is up 9% from the year before. I think the real number is a little higher. Regardless of the reason why it's at...

You've likely put a donor list together or seen an organization publish their donors. Some of the most popular places to see a donor list is in an annual report, newsletter, website, and donor appreciation event. There is a long-standing conversation about the...

You may run out and buy a new gadget because you know it can be useful in a variety of ways. As soon as you open the box, you're overwhelmed by the setup, information, choices, useability. Before too long, it's gone. You don't have time all that. Instead, it just...

The Fundraising Effectiveness Project came out with a new report containing some important data. Whether you're a community leader or nonprofit professional, this is information those involved with nonprofit organizations should be paying attention to. First, let's...

Hello friend, A Forbes article from a couple of years ago said 45% of nonprofit employees will seek new jobs within five years. Ten years ago, the Underdeveloped Report by CompassPoint found 50% of development directors planned to leave their current position...

How do you plan, monitor, and track interactions with major donors? For many, putting a good structure and process in place to manage these important relationships is a challenge. I found the process outlined below, which combines some traditional and modern...

Hello Friend, Personalized holiday cards, trinkets, a call from a board member, state of the organization letter, "thank you to our donors" mailing and social media posts. This time of year, you may be trying to figure out how to engage some of your most faithful...

Hello Friend, Early in my career, I noticed something the best fundraisers had in common. They all had extensive knowledge about their organization's mission, strategic plan, strategies, financials, and programs. They were almost an extension of the CEO/Executive...