Are Nonprofits Hypocritical?
May 11, 2017 at 10:39 am

In every way they can, nonprofits make the "ask." The message is: We help people. We mend the holes in the social safety net. We educate. We feed. We shelter. We care. But do they? Or do they, by the nature of their funding, contribute a bit to the tearing of that net? Nonprofits are notorious for paying low salaries...

The Homeless Donโ€™t Deserve Our Help
May 10, 2017 at 9:33 am

Distance from groups that are unlike ours is more difficult to close. People who are viewed as โ€œtoo differentโ€ from us can completely shut down our ability to connect with them. For most Americans, the homeless fall into this psychological no-manโ€™s land...

Henry 'Hank' Rosso: The Impact of a Legend
April 28, 2017 at 9:56 am

I was thinking of an old friend and colleague, Henry โ€œHankโ€ Rosso, recently when I was doing research on fundraising. I decided to look at Rossoโ€™s obituary. On Feb. 1, 1999, Hank died at the age of 81 in Petaluma, Calif...

Expand Your Horizons
April 26, 2017 at 9:10 am

We are big on not attending the same professional conferences year after year. Take a break from your routine and attend a new conferenceโ€”maybe one outside of your nonprofit sector. This year, Iโ€™m taking a break from AFP to attend a different conference and I plan to be back at AFP next year...

State Farm Made Me Cry (I Bet You Will, Too)
March 21, 2017 at 8:36 am

Motivating everyone to get involved is critical. Last weekโ€™s blog was about cause marketing. This weekโ€™s blog is somewhat similar, but is about a company (hint: the name is in the title of the blog) that is aligning their brand with the idea of community involvement...

A Parentโ€™s Guide to Motivating Fundraisers
February 22, 2017 at 10:17 am

I know that recognition is the most impactful approach for motivating fundraisers as I have worked in peer-to-peer fundraising for over 25 years. I should have known that this would be the key area of impact for my grandson. I just didnโ€™t make the connection until recently...

Indianapolis Club Rewards Perseverance
February 17, 2017 at 10:07 am

Each day we work hard to promote our specific organizations and promote our profession. Without a chance to view other organizational activities, this could lead to tunnel vision and singular focus. If you are fortunate, you will be able to witness concepts in our profession placed in action by other organizations also dedicated to enhancing our profession. I recently took advantage of an invitation to attend a special event, and I am very glad I did...

Fundraising: Itโ€™s a Call to Service
February 10, 2017 at 11:16 am

I truly believe the profession involving fundraising and nonprofit management is a calling. You must be honest, ethical, committed and dedicated to service before yourself. I am proud of being a fund raiser. Just like any profession, there are some members that give the profession a bad name, but they will come and go.

7 Strategies Every Nonprofit Should Master in 2017
January 18, 2017 at 9:24 am

Last year, I gave you five priorities for success in 2016. I called them โ€œDive the Five.โ€ This year, Iโ€™ve expanded my thinking a bit. I give you โ€œSeven is Heaven.โ€ I promise if you focus on these fundamental areas, you will hear the angels begin to sing and your mission will take wing. Some of these areas will seem familiar, but the way you employ them may need to be tweaked in order for you to survive and thrive...