In much of his writing, Paul G. Schervish, professor of sociology and director of the Center on Wealth and Philanthropy at Boston College, offers a psycho-social perspective on giving and how people carry out their lives. In a recent article he wrote, “One of the most unexpected findings is the satisfaction and pleasure that donors… Read more »
At the Giving Institute’s April conference, we had a presentation by Dr. Paul Light, Goddard professor of public service at New York University and senior fellow and founding director of the Center for Public Service for Brookings Institution. According to Light, during the recession and now into the economic recovery, nonprofits have been battered by… Read more »
A new study by Foundation Source reports that the number and size of grants of less than $1 million increased by 15 percent in 2009. The firm, which provides services for small and medium-size philanthropies, based its findings on data collected by processing grants from nearly 700 client foundations. This runs counter to the trend… Read more »
Three times in the last month I’ve been asked this question by nonprofit board members and leaders: Can we bring on a fundraising consultant and pay him or her a percentage of what’s raised? To someone in the business world, this results-based compensation approach may make sense. But in the world of fundraising, it’s highly unethical…. Read more »
Has your nonprofit taken part in the Pepsi Refresh project, Sears’ More Green Across America, eBay Fundraising Tournament for the Environment, or other voting-based funding competitions? This seems to be a growing trend among corporations. But if, for instance, you’ve waded through the six-point type on the seven pages of Pepsi Refresh guidelines, you’ll quickly… Read more »
Here’s our final (for now) tip on how you can remain a giving priority with philanthropists during this time of economic recovery: Invest in philanthropy. Today’s major-gift donors need to be certain that their gifts will be managed properly. They consider their giving to be an investment in a nonprofit’s future, so it’s vital to… Read more »
At the AFP International Conference last week, Archbishop Desmond Tutu reminded the fundraising crowd of their vocation, their calling, their noble profession, and that the word philanthropy meant “love of humankind.” While preparing to lead a board retreat earlier this week, I was reminded that what we are all really trying to do is give… Read more »
While at the AFP International Conference in Baltimore last week, we met the founders of EdBoard, a new online forum where nonprofit professionals can easily and efficiently obtain, request, post, or share information. Check it out.
Draft a development plan and stick to it. Engage your volunteers in creating the plan. This is our ninth tip to remain a priority with philanthropists during the economic recovery. If you’ve engaged your board members and development committee in creating the plan, everyone should be in agreement on your fundraising goals, strategies, and tactics…. Read more »
At the AFP International Conference earlier this week, Wendy and I spoke to a development director of a retirement community who is trying to raise $9 million for a new facility. Her board discussed doing a campaign planning study and then decided that instead of contracting with an outside firm, they would have their development… Read more »
