
Your Work as a Nonprofit Leader is So Very Important-Thank You!
Inspiration, Nonprofit leadership Do you have any idea how important your work is as a nonprofit leader? You are making it happen day after day, my friend. All fundraisers are stalwart nonprofit leaders. Whatever your role in your organization, you are doing such important…

Board Members: Some Ideas About Fundraising That Might Surprise You!
Board Development, Board Members and Fundraising, Inspiration, Motivating Board MembersIf you are a nonprofit board member, does this sound familiar? Your organization needs more financial resources. And you are not sure which path to take: Should you: Help launch another fundraising event? Invite your friends people…

Call for Revolution at #AFPFC Last Week
Fundraising Strategy, Inspiration, Nonprofit leadershipThere was a surprising theme rolling around the AFP International Conference last week: It was a passionate call for greater action and even revolution. https://twitter.com/Whitehead_Dave/status/711982946639421441 And this inspirational…

39 Ideas From AFPFC That Will Make You A Smarter Fundraiser in 2016
Fundraising Strategy, InspirationThe AFP International Conference is always a huge highlight of the year. And this year, I have to say that I thought it was the BEST ever! Provocative and challenging ideas, smart presenters, and an appreciative, enthusiastic audience who…

What Keeps 1200 Fundraisers Up at Night?
Fundraising Strategy, Inspiration, Nonprofit leadershipMy recent Opinion Survey of Nonprofit Leaders came back with some rather shocking – or concerning – results. People who work in our nonprofit sector clearly have too much on their plates. I know – you are probably saying – “I’ve…

Holiday Survival Guide: 5 Tips for Surviving and Enjoying the Holidays
Inspiration, Year-End Fundraising StrategiesYes, the holidays can be wild! So very much to do! Here are my own favorite tips for not only surviving but really enjoying the holidays. Your #1 Job is to Protect Your OWN Good Energy YOU are the most important person of all during…

How to Secure the Major Gift: 10 Priceless Tips from Jerry Panas
Asking for Donations, Fundraising Strategy, Inspiration, Major GiftsJerry Panas is clearly one of our industry’s greats. I’ve learned so much from him over the years, and I hope you have studied his advice too. Today, I’m celebrating the fact that he’s joining us for Tuesday’s amazing Telesummit…

Five Clues Your Fundraising is Headed Downhill
Board Members and Fundraising, Fundraising Strategy, Inspiration, Nonprofit leadershipDon’t we all want fundraising that provides reliable, consistent, revenue? Money we can count on year after year? But that kind of reliable success doesn't just happen. It takes serious work and commitment. And many organizations…

How Major Gift Fundraising is Like Being Mother of the Bride
Fundraising Strategy, Inspiration, Major GiftsBeing mother of the bride has been an experience in "letting go." And it reminds me of how I have had to "let go" with some major donor prospects. Because they just wouldn't, wouldn't focus on what I wanted them to fund! Let me tell you…

Two Things Smart Fundraisers Always Do
Inspiration, Nonprofit leadershipFundraising can be a lonely business. You know it. And I know it. There we are – facing doubtful board members and CEO’s who think they know better than we do. And there we are -- trying to convince decision makers to follow smart…

How to Screw Up Your Fundraising – Easy Steps to Financial Ruin
Board Development, Board Members and Fundraising, Fundraising Strategy, InspirationCould the greatest challenges to fundraising success be coming from INSIDE your organization? The nonprofit world has been abuzz recently about a disturbing report detailing many internal challenges facing many nonprofit fundraising programs. The…

How to Unleash Your Board Members’ Energy for Fundraising
Board Development, Board Members and Fundraising, Inspiration, Motivating Board MembersI had the pleasure of talking to the very smart and wonderful Michael Chatman yesterday on his popular live radio “Giving Show.” We were talking about my favorite subject – how to get board members fired up and active in fundraising. You…

Five Tips for Overcoming Fundraising Fears
Annual Giving, Inspiration, Motivating Board MembersOk, we've all been there. You know what you need to be doing. . . but you just -- you just -- you just -- manage to find something else to focus on that's lots more interesting and certainly less dreadful. There's that moment…