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Blog
BEFORE YOU ASK FOR HELP
DARE TO LEAD
ECONOMIC REALITIES
SUDDENLY IT HAPPENED
UNDERPROMISE AND OVERSERVE
SLOW AND STEADY
CULTIVATING CURIOSITY
Friday Thoughts
Building a High Performance Development Team
9 WAYS TO GET STARTED AS A FUNDRAISER
WELL DONE FAITHFUL SERVANT
CHILL SUMMER
1 + 1 = 3
THE "-ANCE" IN YOUR PLANS
FOCUS ON THE DESTINATION
CREATING A PLACE TO HEAL
EXERCISING GRATITUDE
NEEDY VS WORTHY
FROM NUMBERS TO NAMES
CONQUERING CONFERENCES
ENERGIZING MAJOR GIFTS
A STRONG FOUNDATION
THE PAIN IN YOUR ASK
KNOW VS KNEW
SEEING IS BELIEVING
FUNDRAISING MUSCLE MEMORY
CROSSING THE FINISH LINE
BE PREPARED
THE QUESTIONS AFTER THE ANSWER
INFORMATION VS AFFIRMATION
ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS
TELL ME EVERYTHING
DEVELOPING A STRATEGIC BOARD
COMMUNITY IS A VERB
LESSONS FROM 2008
NEW YEAR'S GUESTS
THE QUINTESSENTIAL FUNDRAISING MOVIE
YEAR-END SHOUT OUTS
END OF YEAR FUNDRAISING STRATEGIES
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
DEVELOPING YOUR CASE FOR SUPPORT
TAX LAW CHANGES – BE PREPARED FOR YEAR END
THE MAKINGS OF A GREAT LEADER
STEP UP YOUR GAME
BACK-BUCKET LIST
BE A LEADER, NOT A LID
WHAT A FOOL BELIEVES
END OF SUMMER SHOUT OUTS
A CULTURE OF HOSPITALITY
TALKING IN 3D
A LEADER PEOPLE WANT TO FOLLOW
BURNING QUESTIONS: WHAT’S THE LATEST GIMMICK?
BURNING QUESTIONS: I’M AFRAID TO ASK
BURNING QUESTIONS: FEASIBILITY STUDY READINESS
SUMMER BOOK CLUB: GENERATION IMPACT
SUMMER BOOK CLUB: MAN’S SEARCH FOR MEANING
SUMMER BOOK CLUB: TOXIC CHARITY
SUMMER BOOK CLUB: GRIT – THE POWER OF PASSION AND PERSEVERANCE
THE ONCE-A-YEAR MYTH
VOLUNTEER CHURN
GUTSY NOMINATING COMMITTEES
UNINTENDED VOLUNTEERS
RELUCTANT LEADERS
FUNDRAISING FOOLISHNESS
DON’T GO IT ALONE
FACTS TELL, BUT STORIES SELL
RECRUITING THE RIGHT LEADERS
WHO SHOULD LEAD?
WHO REALLY CARES?
PRIVILEGE OF PURPOSE
ARE YOUR LEADERS READY TO TELL YOUR STORY?
THE ANTI-DECIDER
WHAT COMES BEFORE THE CAMPAIGN?
FEBRUARY SHOUT OUTS
HOW TO ASK
TELLING (AND LISTENING) YOUR BETTER STORY
CAN I GET A BURGER REFILL?
PREPARING FOR THE ASK
TRUST YOUR DONORS
JANUARY SHOUT OUTS
RESOLUTION: PERMISSION TO SAY NO
RESOLUTION: BECOME RICHER, SMARTER AND MORE EMOTIONALLY INTELLIGENT
RESOLUTION: TRUST YOUR VOLUNTEERS
WHAT TAX LAWS CHANGE… AND WHAT THEY DON’T
RESOLUTION: FIX IT BEFORE IT BREAKS
RESOLUTION: 1 – 2 – 3!
RESOLUTION: BE GRATEFUL
RESOLUTION: BE A MENTOR
RESOLUTION: GET PERSONAL
DECEMBER SHOUT OUTS
BRINGING PEACE
YOU’VE GOT WHAT IT TAKES. GRIT.
A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE
THANKING FAMILY
OCTOBER SHOUT OUTS
THE COSTS OF CHANGE
CLOSE ENOUGH TO SMELL THE SMOKE
AT THE END OF YOUR ROPE
COAT AND TIE
EMERGENCY VS URGENCY
SEPTEMBER SHOUT OUTS
GET CLOSE
THE 3 E’S OF A GOOD CASE
IF YOU ARE, I AM
BEING INTENTIONAL ABOUT BOARD DEVELOPMENT
FROM 80/20 TO ONE ON ONE
AUGUST CHALLENGE
TURNING MEMORIES INTO LEGACY
AGAINST THE ODDS
MISSION-DRIVEN GOALS
REVERSE MENTORS
TELL ME YOUR STORY
SEEING YOURSELF IN THE STORY
ENDURING DONOR LOVE
AUTHENTIC AND PERSONAL
MORE THAN A VACATION
KEEPING YOUR BALANCE
REBOOTING ENDOWMENT DEVELOPMENT
THREE KEYS TO STRONGER DONOR RELATIONSHIPS
THE HEART OF A GIVER
IT’S NOT ABOUT THE PICKLES
BUZZ VS HONEY
TOP OF MIND
STAYING IN TOUCH
FILLING THE BUS
IS AN INVOICE YOUR STEWARDSHIP PLAN?
DO YOU HAVE ENOUGH FRIENDS?
SHOW AND TELL
LESSONS FROM UNITED AIRLINES
STANDING ON THE ICEBERG
A BIAS FOR ACTION
THE LESSONS OF FAILURE
GETTING OUT OF THE SPECIAL EVENTS BUSINESS
THE SPECIAL EVENTS BUSINESS
BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS
BRASS TACKS VS 30,000 FEET
HOW I LEARNED TO LOVE FUNDRAISING
ASKING FOR PERMISSION
A TSUNAMI IS ON THE WAY
THE PURSUIT OF PERFECTION
RETHINKING DEBT REDUCTION
SEVEN SECRETS OF SUCCESSFUL STEWARDS
DOES SHE REALLY DISLIKE VALENTINE’S DAY?
BEHIND THE SMILE
DONOR LOVE LANGUAGES
TAKING ACTION
BUILDING A WINNING TEAM
TEACHING GIVING
SMALL BUT MIGHTY
FOCUS
JUST DO IT
MOMENTUM
GIFT-WRAPPED
BEST OF DBD 2016: STEWARDSHIP
BEST OF DBD 2016: CASE
BEST OF DBD 2016: ASKING
BEST OF DBD 2016: LEADERSHIP
THE TIMES ARE A-CHANGIN’
DO GOOD ANYWAY
IN A SNAP
PASSING THE BATON, PART 2
PASSING THE BATON
THE POWER OF A GRANDER VISION
CHANGING CULTURE
INDIVIDUALS VS TEAMS
DROP THE MASK
OWNERSHIP
HOW TO FACE DOWN A MONSTER
A CHILLING TALE
DON’T SCARE THEM
ENTERING THE UNKNOWN
HARVEST TIME
WHERE THERE’S A WILL…
HOW TO TREAT A FRIEND
A BLESSING IN DISGUISE
THE FOURTH QUARTER
BET ON THE JOCKEY
BLUE FLAME CASE
EXECUTION’S BEST FRIENDS
THE KIND TRUTH
THE LONG HAUL
THE BEST PREDICTOR OF FUTURE GIVING
EARNING THE RIGHT TO ASK
VALUING THE MILLENNIAL PROFESSIONAL
LEADERSHIP IS EVERYTHING
A BUG’S EYE VIEW
WHY TRUMPS WHAT
RE-READING THE LESSONS
WHAT HASN’T CHANGED
DON’T SETTLE
A TALE OF TWO LETTERS
REINVIGORATING VOLUNTEER TEAMS
WHAT NOT TO STOP
THE 30-MINUTE MEETING
OWN IT
THREE LESSONS FROM THE DEATH OF AN ICON
GRIT
WAITING ON LIGHTNING
THE MEETING BEFORE THE MEETING
CHECKBOOKS AND CALENDARS
THE MYTH OF THE BIGGER SLICE
WHAT’S YOUR WHY?
MAXIMIZING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
WHO ARE YOUR BEST FRIENDS?
IS YOUR VISION BIG ENOUGH?
ARE YOU LISTENING?
HIDDEN AGENDAS
POWERING THROUGH THE DIP
SEEKING ADVICE
VISION LEAKS
PROCEED WITH CAUTION
HAVE YOU EVER FAILED?
SHED A LITTLE LIGHT
SILOS VS. CHANNELS
WILLING TO WAIT
RESOLUTION: DEFINE SUCCESS
RESOLUTION: THINK LIKE A DONOR
RESOLUTION: DREAM BIGGER
RESOLUTION: READ
RESOLUTION: UNPLUG AND GET CONNECTED
RESOLUTION: FEAR NOT!
RESOLUTION: MAKE IT MATTER
THANKS BUT NO THANKS
GRATITUDE WITH EVERY STEP
HOW CAN I HELP?
MORE THAN JUST FILLING SEATS
ANNUAL ALWAYS WINS
“HOW DO I FIND A GOOD DEVELOPMENT OFFICER?”
MORE THAN A JOB
THE VALUE OF TIME
“YOU CAN’T RAISE MONEY TO ELIMINATE DEBT.” WANNA BET?
FOUR INGREDIENTS FOR POWERFUL BOARDS
SUCCESS STARTS AT THE TOP
WHAT DATA REALLY IS
THE POWER OF A HANDWRITTEN NOTE
ROOKIE SMARTS
EINSTEIN, PING PONG AND GRANDMA’S BASEMENT
WHAT TO DO WITH A NO
PRICELESS VISITS
THE SMARTEST PEOPLE I KNOW
CONNECTING PAST AND FUTURE
SEASONS
A GREAT WORKFORCE
CHANGE THE REQUEST
RETHINKING COMPETITION
MAKING LEADERSHIP LESS LONELY
PERKS OF THE JOB
WHAT’S YOUR STORY?
THE KIND OF PERSON
SOWING SEEDS, PART II
SUMMERTIME IS ONE-ON-ONE TIME
BITE-SIZED PIECES
SABOTAGING YOUR CULTURE OF PHILANTHROPY
CLIMBING OUT
MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE
FOUR STEPS TO BETTER MEETINGS
IT JUST LOOKS EASY
A CLEAR YES
SHIFTING SANDS
UNLOCKING YOUR CASE(S) FOR SUPPORT
ARE YOU COACHABLE?
GETTING TO THE STARTING LINE
8 ITEMS OR LESS
SPRING CLEANING
THE BEST STORYTELLERS AREN’T BORN, THEY’RE MADE
THE VALUE OF STEWARDSHIP
BRIDGING THE GAP
FOUNDATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
LOOK FOR THE SEAMS
5 MYTHS ABOUT ENDOWMENT
SOWING SEEDS
TURNOVER: NOT JUST DESSERTS
IS YOUR BOARD A TEAM?
DONATE NOW – HOW?
COMMON GROUND
RETHINKING DOWNTIME
THE KIND TRUTH
EARNING THE RIGHT
THE BACK BURNER
THE FIRST STEP
YOUR ACE IN THE HOLE
NINE YEAR-END STRATEGIES
DBD AXIOMS: DONOR CHAMPAGNE GLASS
THE IRS IS NOT A CHARITY
BUILDING A SHARED VISION
DAVID SCHMIDT
JIM MELLOR
BE CAREFUL WHEN PROTECTING
AMBIVERTS
DBD AXIOMS: BOARDS CAN’T HEAL THEMSELVES
DBD AXIOMS: INTEREST AND CAPACITY
ANATOMY OF A THANK YOU, PART 2
ANATOMY OF A THANK YOU, PART 1
ANATOMY OF A THANK YOU, PART 3
REMEMBERING A LEADER
THE GIFT OF GIVING
TURNING THE CORNER
LESSONS FROM A RELUCTANT ASKER
SIX WORD STORY
MAKE YOUR OWN LUCK
ROOM FOR HOPE: A CASE STUDY
DON’T WATER THE ROCKS
ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENTS
ROBIN JORDAN-REPOKIS
IT’S NOT ABOUT THE BUILDING
UNLOCKING POTENTIAL
CRUCIAL CONVERSATIONS
WALKING TOWARD THE DANGER
ONE SWEET CASE
UNLEASHING GENEROSITY
KIM HINRICHS
IT’S NOT ABOUT THE BALLOONS
DRIVING LEADERS
DON’T NEGLECT YOUR FAMILY
TRASHY LEADERSHIP
UNCOMPLICATED PROBLEMS
PRUDENT PRUNING
STOP TALKING
FINE PRINT
SIMPLE BUT NOT EASY
DOES MY GIFT MATTER?
SUPRISE PARTIES VS CELEBRATIONS
PAUSE, STOP, RELAUNCH: PART II
PAUSE, STOP, RELAUNCH: PART I
CARING IS SHARING
A FACE TO THE CASE
CAN I SHOW YOU AROUND? 13 TIPS FOR A GREAT DONOR VISIT
WHO LOVES YOU? SIX WAYS TO IDENTIFY TOP PROSPECTS
YOUR TIMELINE IS NOT OUR CRISIS
UNSUNG HEROES
EXPRESSIONS OF GRATITUDE
JASON FRY
THE OVERLOOKED VOLUNTEER
WHAT DOES LOVE LOOK LIKE?
BRUCE BERGLUND
PEGGY VINSON
RESOLUTIONS: TAKING THE FIRST STEP
JON SIMONS
RESOLUTIONS: WHAT TO STOP
LORA DOW
MICHAEL BUSSEY
DANIELLE MANN
MICHELE GOODRICH
RESOLUTIONS: GRATITUDE
SARA LUKE
THOM PETERS
RESOLUTIONS: DOES YOUR DOG BITE?
DAN MAIER
JAN BROGDON
RESOLUTIONS: CHANGING THINKING, CHANGING BEHAVIORS
ROBYN FURNESS-FALLIN
RESOLUTIONS PART III: KEEP CALM
RESOLUTIONS PART II: BULLETS BEFORE CANNONBALLS
RESOLUTIONS PART I: THE 20 MILE MARCH
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