Yes, Fanatical Prospecting is a sales book. And, yes, there is some debate within the non-profit space about whether fundraising shops should try to function like for-profit sales operations. I'm not really interested in that debate—not today anyway. The disciplines are similar enough. And we're smart people. Smart people are always able to take principles, ideas, and frameworks from other fields and use them to inform their own work. So … [Read more...] about Fanatical Prospecting by Jeb Blount
Your Next Campaign: Laying the Foundation
In my last post, I made the case for big, bold fundraising campaigns and why you need to be in one. The main reason, of course, is to maximize your organization's philanthropic potential and do something big to advance your mission. Beyond that, however, a campaign can catalyze other benefits, including increased awareness, new relationships, an elevated culture of philanthropy, and energized stakeholders. So, revisit that post for the … [Read more...] about Your Next Campaign: Laying the Foundation
The Culture Code by Dan Coyle
Dan Coyle’s The Culture Code explores the key traits of high-functioning teams. It's no surprise that the best teams in any endeavor become greater than the sum of their parts. Or as Dan describes it, they make 2 + 2 = 10. We’re talking about more than the intelligence, work ethic, or experience of the individual members here. According to Coyle, the not-so-secret ingredients are 1) Belonging, 2) Vulnerability, and 3) Purpose. For … [Read more...] about The Culture Code by Dan Coyle
You Need to Be in a Campaign
It's true. Your non-profit really should be in a capital campaign right now. If you aren't in a campaign currently, that’s OK. Just make sure you're getting ready for your next one! Why? The obvious answer is that capital campaigns help you do big, mission-critical things—the kind of stuff that your annual fund, or your golf tournament just can’t do for you. Whether it's building buildings, adding programs, or … [Read more...] about You Need to Be in a Campaign
Major Gifts Systems
Let’s face it: big gifts move the needle. Direct mail is fine, and yes, every gift is meaningful. But think about truly advancing the mission of your organization. Do $100 checks have the power to take you to a new, better place? How much time and money do you spend pursuing $100 checks? And are you as intentional and systematic when it comes to your major gifts program? You can be. Because it’s one thing to get a major gift from … [Read more...] about Major Gifts Systems