Special event mania! This article below from the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) is a good read about galas and some tips for success. Seems today that a majority of nonprofits rely heavily on the success of special events as a primary fundraising vehicle – hoping to bring in enough funds for programs and services,
Continue ReadingIt is certainly easy now and then to get comfortable in your surroundings, especially when you are relaxing for your birthday weekend in Seaside, FL – sun, fun, family and great food abound. While reflecting on the last 49 years this past weekend, education came to mind many times. I know I wouldn’t have
Continue ReadingRecently, I was asked to contribute a piece on leadership for our Leadership Tallahassee (LT) community. It was an honor to do so and I am super grateful to Barbara Boone (LT Executive Director), the LT staff and volunteers, and the LT experience over the years – their efforts make our community better in so
Continue ReadingIt’s Halloween, of course, and we just couldn’t let an analogy with development work pass us by without a discussion about one of the worst things a fundraiser (development person in any industry really) can do when it comes to donor relations – “Trick or Treat” a donor/client in order to get initial cultivation appointments.
Continue ReadingWe all remember the game Whack-A-Mole, right? High paced game, expecting the player to quickly identify a mole popping from his hole in time to hit it on the head before it escapes back into the hole. Miss it or hit it, the player then had to refocus their attention to where the next mole
Continue ReadingMuch more to Hurricane Michael! According to Tallahassee’s Mayor Gillum this morning, this is the largest hurricane to hit our area in over a century! We wish everyone the best as this huge storm approaches. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, your families and the communities in its path. Much gratitude goes out to
Continue ReadingMy 30th high school reunion is this coming weekend – NSB Barracudas class of 1988! During a bike ride last week, I pondered on the similarities of relationship dynamics in high school and our places of work. Being a part of a team, in school or at work, provides a chance to build lasting relationships
Continue ReadingIn the article here http://www.afpnet.org/ResourceCenter/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=50009, details a small percentage increase overall from 2016 and an improvement in the donor retention rate from 2016, but the retention rate is still hovering around 45%. Retention is one of the hottest topics in fundraising, and it should be. So what can we do about it? Fundraising success is
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