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...
Jeff Jowdy
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...
An annual giving program is the foundation of a successful fundraising program and for establishing a culture of philanthropy. Even a small nonprofit should have an annual giving program, providing donors an opportunity each year to invest in your mission and endorse the difference you are making through their gift...
The truth is that every member of the executive committee—all nonprofit board members—has a fiduciary responsibility to call for full disclosure to the board...
“Tell me about the pig.” That was the unexpected request that I got from a client’s board member at a gala event. I paused, and then it hit me...
Consider an nonprofit advisory board or boards if you do not have them. Be sure that you have clear roles and systems in place to support the members. And provide a stellar experience...
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Barbara Bush leaves a void in the American political scene. She was a woman of class, and, when your husband and son became president, a woman of fortitude. She was fiercely loyal to her family, as she should be. Regardless of your political views, the true character of this woman is reflected in the deep affection that the Obama and Clinton families have for her...
One lasting and successful quality of a nonprofit leader—I believe any leader—is being genuine, transparent and having a strong moral compass. Being genuine means being authentic and real. What you see is what you get. This is a leader who doesn’t have a public persona, and then one that his or her staff and family must deal with...
One of the benefits of having a fundraising plan—from a major campaign, to an annual campaign, to overall advancement—is that systems are in place to deepen donor relationships...
Too often, we see campaign strategy and development plans that are cookie-cutter. There are proven best practices in fundraising, as well as new and innovative strategies in communication and technology. We have formats for various plans with many variables and update these continually after every client engagement and through concentrated work groups comprised of our team members on a regular basis...
