Michele Goodrich

This month, the Donor By Design Team is discussing campaign readiness: the things that (should) happen before you begin a major fundraising campaign.  Today, Michele Goodrich illustrates the benefits of getting a wide team of people involved in the capital planning process.

A nonprofit executive director (ED) has a complex role with myriad demands on their time. As a result, one of the concerns we often hear from them is that they struggle with having adequate time to develop relationships and cultivate donors. It isn’t that they don’t know how important donor cultivation is; it’s just difficult to make it a priority over other equally important responsibilities.

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 cultivate enduring donor love? 

In his book, Good to Great, Jim Collins created a memorable image of a business being a bus with its CEO as the driver. Nothing is more important, according to Collins, than “getting the right people on the bus” if you want to take a company from good to great.

This month, the Donor By Design Team has love and appreciation on our minds… specifically how we “love up” our donors. Today’s topic: seven secrets to successful stewardship!

Bob Dylan’s song, “The Times They Are A-Changin’ ” came out in the mid-1960s when the largest population cohort in history, known as the Baby Boomers, emerged and began to shake up the status-quo. Their attitudes and beliefs were very different from previous generations and their collective influence changed almost every aspect of our culture.

It’s harvest time in many parts of the country. Farmers and backyard gardeners are reaping the fruits of their labor.

Last week I had the opportunity to work with the leaders of a resident camp in the midst of their summer camping season.

A relatively common concern among nonprofit executives and development directors is that their board members are reluctant to ask for money.

Recently, a charity lost two generous annual donors because of a mistake that could have been avoided.