Strategic Planning

The term “cult of personality” tends to conjure dramatic images of political or religious leaders influencing the masses. It seems grandiose and powerful. Cult of personality has varied definitions, but they all basically boil down to this: The situation that arises when an individual person gains intense loyalty from a group of people from the sheer force of his or her personality...

We watched in horror as Charlottesville, Va., erupted into violence this past week. Otis graduated from the University of Virginia (UVA) in 1979. There, he met the Dalai Lama, he met students of diverse backgrounds, he played basketball on a diverse team and he became a Buddhist…

“Fundraising is both a science and an art,” says M. Gasby Brown of Bridge Philanthropic Consulting, one of the nation’s foremost fundraising firms. “It is great to give strategy,” adds her partner, Dwayne Ashley, “but an organization needs money coming in the door. If you don’t drive that result, nothing else matters.” Before Brown and…

Your organization has no cute kids, puppies or people that you regularly serve. But you keep hearing that you’re supposed to share those “mission moments” about real people to engage your community. How does sharing powerful stories work for you?...

Thyngs, the mobile proximity platform, has added PayPal to its payment options for charities taking cashless mobile donations via its platform. PayPal will be added as a new core payment method for charities using its tap-and-scan cashless donation solutions on items, such as collecting boxes and direct mail, and in-person. The integration will streamline donation…

A strong social media strategy can be a fantastic tool to enhance a nonprofit’s online presence. Authenticity is critical when using this platform, because social media is about connecting donors and prospects with the organization’s mission. Nonprofits need to humanize their social media message, so the audience can effectively connect with your organization...

We’ve had this conversation before. The nonprofit sector is changing, and it’s more important than ever to understand how it’s changing and why it’s changing. We’re adopting a more digital mindset when it comes to our “business” strategies—it’s how we acquire donors, build relationships with them and get them to donate to our organizations...

It’s no secret that volunteers are one of the most important components to the success of your nonprofit and its ability to achieve goals. If volunteers engage in a positive experience with your nonprofit organization, they can fill multiple opportunities of need and take part in your fundraising campaigns. The truth of the matter is that providing an outstanding experience for your volunteers starts from the first communication you have with them...

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — When nonprofit organizations launch fundraising campaigns, it’s not as simple as ready, set and go; hitting that target goal isn’t a one-two punch. Whether it’s for raising funds, acquisition, retention or whatever, fundraising campaigns can be much like for-profit marketing campaigns...

Generous givers inspire me! This past weekend, I had the privilege of attending the fraternity convention of Phi Kappa Theta. I have the honor of serving as chairman of the fraternity’s foundation and was interacting with many generous donors over the weekend...