I’m writing this article earlier in the week than usual because I am heading out of town for a few days. No, it’s not vacation—it’s continuing education. Like you, I don’t have time to attend training. I don’t have money to waste on training that doesn’t teach me anything new. And yes, I admit my main incentive for signing up for this training was the tri-annual renewal of my CFRE credentials...
How often do you try to connect with someone at another organization? Sometimes you need an opportunity to call on others without seeming too aggressive. If you have an opportunity to make a positive impression, do it.
I have been very fortunate to have mentors throughout my life. I have always been drawn to the wisdom of those older than me.
You've got good cash flow and a typical mix of donors by giving-capacity. You're getting good outcomes. You've got stable financials. Giving moves toward your all-time annual high of $5 million. It's poised to go over. Then it stalls or drops.
A big part of life—as we know from our profession—is continually giving and continually learning. Continue to associate with great folks and be part of a cause larger than yourself. Don't make leading or giving a "season of life." Make it a lifelong habit and commitment.
Statistically, more than one-third of all charitable dollars given annually in the United States is directed to religion, and research indicates that faith practitioners are the country's most generous donors.
Food and hunger nonprofits City Harvest and Philabundance utilize the "brown paper bag" outer envelope technique in these direct-mail fundraising campaigns. In this video, I show viewers how each of these nonprofits gets donors engaged in the packages in different ways. For access to more mailings like the ones seen here, visit www.whosmailingwhat.com.
As a special thank-you to St. Baldrick's for participating in our conference and for all the great work the organization does, in addition to the personal nature of cancer organizations, I volunteered to start a fundraising campaign for St. Baldrick's … and participate in shaving my head for the cause.
Actor RJ Mitte, the keynote speaker at Blackbaud's annual bbcon conference, isn't just a celebrity face for a nonprofit. He truly lives the cause of Shriners Hospitals for Children.
I suggest you establish a mentoring program where you could mentor a young professional year-round whose desire is to make a career in the nonprofit world. What have you done to promote the concept and spirit of philanthropy with the next generation?
