Accountability

On Monday, Consumer Reports released its "Best and Worst Charities For Your Donations" list. By no means as comprehensive as the magazine's robust coverage and hands-on reviews of cars, appliances and electronics, the list is intended as a snapshot for would-be donors, offering tips for avoiding charity scams and more. There's some sound advice in there, but the list itself leaves us with some questions...

I was in a meeting recently with some managers when overhead came up. You would think we had just moved into the ring of a major boxing match. Goodness. Some managers were defensive. Others quietly retreated into their spreadsheets. Still, others moved into some language about “we’re doing the best we can to keep costs down.” So, I stepped into this swamp with the following question: “What do you think donors think about overhead?”...

We tirelessly work at our jobs each day. Most of us never have a chance to smell the roses or think about the impact we make upon our institutions. We are all bridge builders who build upon the foundation laid before us and provide a base for future support. Have you ever thought about the impact you make on the institution you serve?...

You plan and strategize, check everything (at least) twice, and follow your schedule to the minute, but mistakes happen. There’s a typo; the mailer misses your drop date; the data is wrong; the insert is overlooked; the salutation says, “Dear [Name];” the link to the landing page is broken; or any number of other possible “oops!” moments. You can be sure that sometime in 2016, you will experience some problem in your fundraising program. So be prepared, and keep these things in mind...

To give is to gain a heap of grief if you're a mega-rich donor these days. In recent months, a hedge fund billionaire was denounced for his $400 million gift to the already wealthy Harvard University, David Geffen took flak for gifts that plaster his name on a Manhattan concert hall and a Los Angeles…

Hunger Free Vermont, a nonprofit advocacy and education group that works to reduce malnutrition across Vermont, said it suspects a former employee stole significant sums of money from the charity. "We never thought it would be us," said Marissa Parisi, the organization's executive director. "I think this is one of the hardest things Hunger Free…

I was walking down stairs, thinking of a project and carrying three different large items. Then, I slipped and tumbled. Stupidly, I still flew to a board retreat the next day, then drove 10 hours to present a campaign study report a few days later. All of that walking did not help what was diagnosed as a broken ankle. Then there was surgery to install a plate, and now I’m paying for not addressing a situation by having a slower and more painful recovery. Here are my five big lessons learned...

President Barack Obama’s speech to the nation Sunday night was only his third from the Oval Office. The need was there to use everything at hand, including any impressive props he could access, to be heard through the din of terror mongering by elected officials and candidates alike. It’s no longer exactly a stretch to feel…

Fran was a major gifts officer (MGO) who had great relationships with his donors. Then, in October 2008, a disaster struck for a donor he greatly respected that left the donor unable to make his usual gift. Many MGOs might have given up on this donor and moved on. But Fran was adamant about not giving up this donor. In fact, Fran did the opposite...

Parking fines aren't usually the stuff of holiday cheer. But a few cities around the country are turning them into an opportunity to promote giving, letting drivers cover part or all of their fines with food donations. Lexington, Ky., first adopted the program, called "Food for Fines," during the 2014 holiday season. There, 10 cans…