Monthly Archives: December, 2011
Supporting a Respectful Journey: The Unique Challenges of Hospice Development
Recently, a talented colleague and friend made a comment that really caught my attention. “You know, Chris,” she said, “our fundraising is backwards.” Intrigued, I couldn’t help but say, “Tell me what you mean.” Charities work hard to acquire donors – I was reminded – devoting time, energy, creativity, and budget to get that important [...]
New Year’s Resolutions
Yes, I know, a copout of a blog topic. It’s been a tough year. Nonetheless, what better time to combine a little soul searching and desktop planning? Forgive me for offering, for your consideration, a few possible resolutions for the New Year: 1. Make major gifts a genuine priority of your organization. Support your decision [...]
Five Things You Should Stop Doing
We all engage in some unproductivity activity. Some are guilty pleasures (Angry Birds come to mind), while others are simply sapping precious time and energy. Let’s unload some baggage we would be better off without: 1. Complaining about your Board – Commit to supporting your volunteers with adequate orientation, and respectful but directive engagement. Work [...]
Who Wants To Be A Billionaire?
A recent edition of the ABC news magazine 20/20 included a story on the ten things you should do to become a billionaire. See which ones resonate with you. Here are the 10 success tips shared by four billionaires: 1. Figure out what you’re so passionate about that you’d be happy doing it for 10 [...]
An Exciting Future for AFP
I recently had the pleasure of serving on a panel with Andrew Watt, President of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. The session was hosted by AFP’s Greater Philadelphia Chapter – and co-presented by the Brandywine and New Jersey Southern chapters – at the historic Union League in downtown Philly. In addition to the warm hospitality [...]
Year-End Gifts of Securities
Jackie Franey, Donor Relations Director at the Communities Foundation of Texas, recently reminded us that yet another year of uncertainty surrounding tax law revisions and economic instability makes charitable year-end planning more important than ever. Ongoing market volatility, combined with increasingly unmet community needs, suggests donors remain cautious and selective about their year-end giving. As [...]
