It struck me today as we presented our first Curtis Group-sponsored webinar to over 100 individuals from South Carolina all the way to New York and as far west as Indiana, about the ever-changing world in which we live. I began working as a fundraising consultant over 25 years ago and founded The Curtis Group… Read more »
Back in May we wrote a post on leadership being “The Key to Successful Fundraising.” Last month, a survey of nonprofit executive directors entitled, “Daring to Lead,” honed in on the importance of strong nonprofit boards in not only supporting and sustaining executive directors but creating sustainable organizations. Weak board performance was cited among respondents… Read more »
Earlier this week we participated in a Giving Institute-sponsored webinar, entitled “Engaging Millennials Now For the Future Prosperity of Your Development Program.” The webinar cited a lot of interesting research from a recently published survey of millennial donors. We thought we’d share some of the highlights: Giving/Motivations for Giving: 93% of Millennials surveyed gave to nonprofit… Read more »
Online giving challenges are a growing trend among corporations these days and it’s easy to see why. It’s a great way for corporate entities to not only fulfill their philanthropic obligations but heavily market their brand while they’re at it. From a nonprofit’s standpoint this can certainly be an enticing opportunity; after all, how difficult… Read more »
If you’ve visited our Facebook page lately you’ve seen some of our takeaways from the Giving Institute’s recent Summer Symposium. The annual event, co-chaired this year by Keith, drew a diverse crowd of Giving Institute board members, senior managers from member and guest firms, as well as distinguished practitioners from across the country. After four… Read more »
The Curtis Group enjoyed being a sponsor of and participating in VOLUNTEER Hampton Roads’ 2011 Funders Forum. The morning began with a panel of five, local foundation representatives responding to and sharing conversation over various questions. I enjoyed hearing the responses to this question: How do you determine what makes a nonprofit effective? The first panelist… Read more »
For years, Wendy and I have conducted board training workshops and presented “The Role of the Board in Fundraising” to clients and nonprofit leaders. The one thing we try to emphasize: effective fundraising boards don’t just happen; they are built and developed – strategically. A major philanthropist once told me, “an organization’s nominating committee is the… Read more »
I have recently had the pleasure to work with a fairly young organization that has been named the recipient of many, generous bequests. Younger organizations should not underestimate legacy gifts. If your donors are connected and feel passionate about your organization and its mission, they may be legacy gift prospects. Wills, living trusts, retirement plans… Read more »
With only eight months left to participate in the IRA charitable rollover provision (unless Congress extends it), now is the time to be talking to your donors and prospects who are age 70-1/2 and older. Neal Brodsky, an attorney with LeClairRyan, and Nan Edgerton, vice president of development for the Hampton Roads Community Foundation, recently… Read more »
Representatives from Wachovia Wells Fargo recently presented to the Hampton Roads Gift Planning Council. Part of their presentation honed in on women in philanthropy and the fact that women are a distinct piece of the “philanthropic puzzle.” This is largely due to the growing amount of wealth controlled by women in the American economy. One… Read more »
