Blog

Like all of us, I was stunned and saddened by the news out of Paris Friday night. Coming shortly on the heels of a similar attack in Beirut just hours before, the on-going refugee migration, and violence throughout the world and in our own country, it’s easy to be overwhelmed.

Many of our clients across the country are preparing for the start of their annual or year-end giving campaigns. Among one of the most important “to-do’s” is to get the right campaign volunteers in place before a single dollar is raised.

There is a dangerous fallacy in the world of financial development: The idea that running a capital campaign will mean a decrease (or worse a stoppage) in your annual campaign. There is no competition between capital and annual fundraising. You know why?

This is a question I often get in my travels and days spent with clients. Of course, the ideal answer to this question is, “you develop a good development officer.” Some of the very best that I have worked with through my years have been homegrown. But that’s not always possible. So what is the key? Fit.

Oftentimes our blogs lift up the power of volunteers, and make no mistake, the not-for-profit sector could not achieve our missions without them. But as we approach the holidays and pause to reflect and give thanks for the numerous things in our personal and professional lives, I feel compelled to acknowledge the people who work in this sector.

I recently spent some time with a non-profit CEO who spoke about the importance of volunteers to an organization. He said that of all the things someone can give you — time, talent or treasure — time is the one thing that cannot be replenished.

The “Great Recession” hit everyone – especially those with too much debt. Debt is not necessarily evil, but when it’s a touch too much, it can be devastating.

Years ago, I attended one of my first YMCA training events, held at the Calhoun Beach Hotel in Minneapolis. The day’s featured presentation on board development was of very little interest to me.

When it comes to Annual Campaigns, the success of your campaign is directly affected by the success of your volunteer leaders. And you, as a nonprofit executive, can have a great impact on their success.

Recently, someone I know received an annual campaign appeal from an organization that he has had a long and deep relationship with. His family has made major gifts to the organization, and they’ve made the organization a planned giving beneficiary. In this particular appeal, he and his wife were misidentified with an incorrect first name and salutation. At the same time, three other letters, with different names but listing his address, also appeared at his door.