Adventures in Fundraising
Blog
A Nonprofit Fairytale: The Big Shot Fundraiser
Well done! You’ve nurtured and grown your nonprofit so well that you’re ready to hire a staff fundraiser. You’re determined to find someone who will launch your organization into fundraising superstardom. You’re not nervous about finding just the right person, because...
Five Success Milestones For The New And Needy Nonprofit
There’s nothing more exciting to a non-profit founder than cutting the figurative ribbon on the 501(c)3 status. Shiny new founders are wildly passionate for the cause they represent and are dedicated to making a difference. Securing a 501c3 brings them legitimacy....
Is Your Nonprofit’s Vibe Creating Scarcity or Abundance?
The phrase vibe attracts tribe is a tenet of the personal development movement, rhyming shorthand for the concept of being authentic in life to attract the right people, energy and future. Old-school moms prefer just be yourself and people will like you, but that...
Fundraising Is An Adventure
Fundraising is the lifeblood of any nonprofit. Without funds, programs fail, services wither away, and mission impact is thwarted. Unfortunately, the prospect of fundraising makes most nonprofit leaders as squeamish as the sight of blood. I’m a fundraising consultant,...
Why I Never Work for a Percentage and Why You Shouldn’t Offer
In my work as fundraising counsel, I am often approached with curious questions about how I am paid for the work I do. Sometimes folks ask directly, "So... do you just take a cut from the grant award?" or, it may come out during conversation. For example, this past...
Events with Benefits Podcast with Janeal Ford
Events with Benefits Podcast It was a pleasure to be selected as a speaker on the weekly podcast series, Events with Benefits! This weekly series provides nonprofit staff, volunteers, event planners, PTOs and more with cutting-edge insights and proven best practices...
Unleash Your Inner Philanthropist
San Diego has been named fourth in the nation for charity performance by Charity Navigator’s 2016 Metro Market Study, and is home to many outstanding philanthropists. To honor and celebrate their commitment, this Wednesday, November 16, 2016, the San Diego Chapter of...
Three Ways Nonprofits Scare Away Development Directors
Having heard donors refer to it as the “development director shuffle,” it is widely known that the development director position is a revolving door for nonprofit organizations. A recent national study indicates more than 50% of development directors will leave their...
What is a Strategic Fund Plan and Why You Need It
Boards and Executive Directors take months to develop a strategic plan, outlining at a high level what they will be doing in future years to stay relevant and address community needs. They dedicate hundreds of hours to committee meetings with help from consultants who...