A recent article by Chase Behringer warned the nonprofit sector to change or go bankrupt. That’s certainly a stark choice. I think it’s an important piece to read and think about. But I wanted to address a few problems with it. Here they are: We are not the for-profit sector Comparisons to the for-profit sector […]
Is gratitude really hurting our sector?
Too much gratitude? A few weeks ago, my friend Vu Le posted another of his thought-provoking pieces, Is there such a thing as too much gratitude? Yes, and it’s been harmful to our work. I want to be clear: I mean both friend and thought-provoking with zero snark. I think Vu is a treasure! But… […]
How to help people feel connected now
We’re zooming, we’re calling, we’re writing… but are we connecting? Here are some ideas to help people feel connected now. I read an article recently in Psychology Today about the importance of feeling understood. In fact, the title was: Feeling understood more important than feeling loved. Whoa. Maybe this is a good time to look […]
Emergency fundraising: plan now for later.
We don’t always plan for emergencies. Of course, that’s what an emergency is – something important, but not normal. So how can you plan for emergency fundraising? If your organization finds itself struggling with the impact of coronavirus – whether in increased expenses and/or increased need for your services – you need to be able […]
After the ask: why donor engagement matters
Donor engagement is critical. How are you doing? You’ve probably seen donor retention numbers over the last several years. Over the last five years, donor retention rates have been between 44% and 46%. That’s not good. And acquiring new donors has only gotten harder and more expensive. (But don’t stop trying!) So, what are you […]