My Blog / Podcast
Ready. Set. GO!
New office. New co-workers. New mission.. How do you start as a new Director of Development? Your new boss may have planned orientation, staff meetings, and planning sessions for/with you. Or Someone may say, "There's the coffee maker. There's the bathroom. There's...
Want to connect with donors? Be real.
In my first position as a Director of Communications, every item that went out out in print, email, or online (Social Media would come later.) had to go through a tortuous line of proofers and editors. Every comma, every hyphen was debated. Every image was perfect. We...
What do 5 ripe tomatoes have to do with donors?
What I remember most about my first Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) meeting is the speaker. He was a very successful Director of Development. He raised lots of money, and he shared how he had stopped at a farm stand to buy five ripe tomatoes to take to...
The Power of Feeling Heard
As a Director of Development, I quickly learned that I wasn't asking people for money. I was giving good folks a chance to be part of something that mattered to them. It changed the conversation. When I met with new prospects, we would have a friendly chat. I shared a...
It’s not an “Ask.” It’s an invitation.
You've heard it. "I hate asking people for money!" "I can't stand begging!" "I refuse to ask my friends to give." Maybe it was a board member. Maybe it was one of the leadership team. Oh, I hope it wasn't your Executive Director! Maybe we're getting this response...
Successful Donor Cultivation Events- as easy as 1, 2, 3 – –
12 steps to a successful cultivation event: 1. Think of something fun. Your event can be small – 6-8 people coming for coffee or dinner or to taste three local, craft beers and pick their personal favorite. It can be larger – 20 – 30 friends, who come for cocktails,...
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