Jon Simons

It’s happened to all of us over the last year while on a video conference: you want to express a thought, respond to a question or offer an opinion and you’re the only one who can hear you talking. You’re on mute! With technology, an easy fix is just a click or two away.

While the technology of today highlights our moments of silence, being on mute is certainly not a new phenomenon. 

Fundraising is a lot like yoga. If it hurts, you are probably doing it wrong.

Recently, I met with a client to prepare for a feasibility study. We were reviewing a list of potential key community leaders to interview as part of the study. As we assessed each of the potential study participants (rating them based on their potential interest, access, influence and affluence), it became clear that each person identified was a big fan of the organization and most had also been recent donors. Great, right?

Speaking at the Global Leadership Summit this summer, Craig Groeschel, co-founder and senior pastor of Life Church summarized the need for (and power of) delegation with one challenging statement: “Don’t become the lid to your organization.”

Considering you are reading this it’s likely we agree that charitable giving is a good and powerful tool to make the world a better place. And like me, you may also have dedicated much of your professional career to fundraising, witnessing the life-changing impacts of charity on both the donor and recipient.

This month, the Donor By Design Team is discussing campaign readiness: the things that (should) happen before you begin a major fundraising campaign.  Today, Jon poses an important question as you identify prospects for your capital campaign.

This January, the DBD Team is making resolutions to help us be better. Today Jon gives us a short and sweet reminder to stay focused and have greater impact in the new year.  

In the spirit of my overarching goal to simplify in 2018, I have set an intention that I hope will be both impactful and achievable.

As a consulting firm focused on fund development, we field calls daily from organizations seeking advice and counsel on how to raise money for lots of reasons: annual sustaining, endowment, disaster relief, education and awareness, and of course capital campaigns.

This summer, the Donor By Design Team is considering new ways grow the relationship with our donors… moving beyond the thank you note to a deeper connection. Today’s topic: how do you help a donor see themselves in the story? 

One of the most dangerous words in the English language is the word “perfect.” While the concept feels good and worthy of pursuit, it is – in the end – a fool’s errand. I can only imagine the number of unfulfilled goals and dreams that die on the unreachable alter of perfection.