Recently I enjoyed lunch with two friends who also happen to be my mentors. One is a former manufacturing operations guru who, for decades, has enjoyed success in human resources. The other is the former CEO of a Fortune 500 company. The focus of the conversation ended up on a vital nonprofit and fundraising topic: succession planning...
Jeff Jowdy
If you’re looking at a major campaign in the next few years, the time is now to ensure that your nonprofit CEO is 100% committed to its success. If you’re a CEO, it’s time for a gut check and a commitment. If you’re a board chair, or incoming chair, you need to have a serious conversation with the CEO...
It’s always good to have that outside perspective. That voice of experience. Those fresh eyes. The wisdom of someone trained in your area. That is the role of a good consultant—not only to be that objective voice that can speak to you and others, but to bring needed expertise and experience...
Fundraising urgency is really a way of life. It doesn’t mean panic. Panic happens often when you have not been moving with urgency, and you have to catch up. Think of the duck, calmly moving ahead on the surface with feet moving rapidly below. Set your goals and then make them happen...
Be fully present in your work and be alert to opportunities and roadblocks. Listen and observe. Know the data. Ask questions. Pay attention to the surroundings. Use your skills and genuine understanding to deepen relationships at all levels for your organization. A key is to always be aware of your circumstances...
In fundraising communications, it is important to tailor your message as much as possible to the recipient. This can mean segmentation on a larger scale or individual personalization on a smaller scale. The same is true about fundraising relationships.
Years ago, when we were crafting our firm’s mission statement, there was a lot of discussion over one word: respect. Our mission statement says that we “partner with respected nonprofit organizations.” Unfortunately, organizations sometimes stray, and honesty and integrity are compromised...
For many nonprofits, the final quarter of the year—especially November and December—will determine their fundraising success. With the demands of year-end giving and a plethora of events and activities around the holidays, the final weeks of the year will be a blur. But it is time to close your door and do a quick check on these important points...
Last week I made a quick trip to New York City for the memorial service for fundraising legend Jerry Panas. I am sure that Jerry was smiling down on the gathering at the Century Club. Seeing Felicity, Jerry and others was heartwarming. It was a pleasure meeting new friends and learning nonprofit lessons from a fundraising leader...
Donor retention is vital. To us, it has been a core strategy and priority for nearly two decades. Too often, an organization approaches us and shares that they need help with donor acquisition. Then we discern that their priority should be donor retention...
A dynamic annual giving program is important to building a pipeline of future donors—including major donors. It is also important at helping you to fulfill your worthy mission and in providing donors with an incredible giving experience...
Early in my career, I inherited a campaign. It had long been stalled and was poorly planned, with no nonprofit feasibility and planning study. It should have been quietly closed out, but we had to cross the finish line. It was a struggle...
Without research, any fundraising project becomes shoot-from-the-hip and cookie-cutter. With research, you are able to really achieve your potential—and ensure fundraising campaign success. It comes as no surprise that we are huge advocates for conducting campaign feasibility and planning studies.
The fundraising world carries a heavy heart. We have lost an icon. There was only one Jerold Panas, and there never will be another. His legacy will inspire professionals for generations to come...
It's time to declare our independence from poor fundraising. Americans—and others around the world—are remarkably generous. According to Giving USA, charitable gifts in the U.S. topped $400 billion for the first time last year...
