The last quarter of the year always feels different. The calendar is heavier, expectations loom larger, and every ask seems more urgent than the one before. But here’s what I’ve learned: leadership in Q4 isn’t about pushing harder. It's about how you show up.
When you walk into a room at year-end, donors and staff alike are watching. They notice your tone, your posture, your clarity — or lack thereof. That’s where leadership lives.
Topics: Leadership, Learning, Donor Stewardship, Fundraising, Leadership Development, Big L Leaders, Annual Fundraising, Fundraising Management, Board Management, Inspiration, Board Leadership, Fund Development, Year-End, Communication, Attitude, CEO Coaching
Those of you who love high-brow films most certainly didn’t miss the 2006 Adam Sandler classic, “Click.” In it, a workaholic husband and father finds a universal TV remote that allows him to fast forward and rewind parts of his life. Complications ensue.
While I admit I enjoyed the movie, it was the premise that captured my interest. What if we could reset our lives with the click of a button (complications not included)?
Topics: Learning, Fundraising, Case For Support, Positioning Campaign, Change, Nonprofit Leadership, Strategy, Board Leadership, Planning, Campaign Planning, Attitude, Ideas, Covid
By Bruce Berglund and Jan Brogdon
Too often, major gift efforts are confined to the framework of a campaign. We ask for these gifts when we have a goal, but we really don’t work to cultivate those major gift donors between and before campaigns. In a time where capital campaigns were slowed or even stopped, some organizations used 2020 to grow a deeper connection with major gift donors. How can the learnings from their experiences, and yours, shape the way you move forward from here?
Any of you that have worked with us know that we believe Case, Leadership, Prospects and a Plan are the key elements of successful fundraising. Consider how you can use this structure as you analyze your own situation.
Topics: Leadership, Learning, Donation, Major Gifts, Case For Support, Asking, Goals, Nonprofit Leadership, Case Statement, Fundraising Campaign, Gift Of Giving, Covid
Central to our team values is the concept that we can never stop learning, reading, connecting and sharing. This month, we will share books that have impacted us personally and/or professionally. Perhaps one of our “book reports” will inspire you to join us in our quest for continuous learning. (Although we suspect you are already there.)
Those of you familiar with our work know how fond we are of Seth Godin’s “The Dip.” His concept of the dip – the place where all the energy and excitement of our exciting new project or campaign starts to fade – is relevant in all sorts of endeavors, including:
Topics: Learning, Professional Development, NAYDO