"Why do you go to work?"
It’s as if there were a wall. And on one side of the wall is this belief that not-for-profits and government exist for public service, and that they’re fundamentally altruistic, that they have a deeper purpose, and they’re doing good in the world, and they have pure motives. On the other side of the wall are corporations. And they’re just selfish and greedy. They have no purpose other than to make money.
Direct Mail Appeals
What is it? An appeal letter is a letter you send to donors to ask for money. When to do it: Quarterly or yearly around December. You’ll need: sense of timing, successful letter samples, two pairs of fresh eyes on your letter, an up-to-date donor database, and solid systems of cultivation and stewardship. What to […]
Lean Fundraising
What is it? Lean Development is the practice of applying corporate waste-elimination strategies to the nonprofit development processes. When to do it: Every day, take 15 minutes and ask, “What went well today? What could have gone better?” Every week, examine your processes. Could something go faster? Could another thing eliminate waste? You’ll need: A […]
Major Gifts
What is it? Asking someone for money in person. In-Person Asks are usually Major Gift asks. That means a larger sum of money than people normally give to your organization. When to do it: All year round. You’ll need: A major gifts program, with moves management to track donors. A relationship with your major donors. […]
Grantwriting
What is it? Grantwriting is kind of what people think of when they think of development. This is only a small part of what development professionals do. Grantwriting includes researching grants, finding the best prospects, writing a letter of intent, connecting with the foundation, and if approved, writing a proposal and attaching the necessary documentation. […]
10 tips for running an efficient nonprofit
We’d all like to do more with less, especially now. How can you make your nonprofit more efficient? Ask yourself and those around you these questions. 1. What does your nonprofit spend the most money on? 2. What does your nonprofit waste the most money on? 3. How many people have been hired and fired […]