Magic fundraisers are why we can’t have nice things. I’m writing this on Labor Day. Maybe that’s fitting. Because while our work can feel like a labor of love, too often, expectations far exceed what one human can do. Magic fundraisers do not exist. Recently, I saw a job posting. I’m not looking, but I […]
The case of the hidden development staff
Have you ever felt your organization’s development staff were hidden away? Maybe on a different plane of existence? Doing strange work normal people wouldn’t understand? I feel strongly about this: development staff must be accessible. Internally and externally. Your work might be specialized, but it’s integral to your organization’s success. (Unless you are fully funded […]
How you can make a culture of philanthropy work
Make a culture of philanthropy work? By now, you’ve probably heard about a culture of philanthropy. You’ve read about how important it is that you have one. You understand that this culture of philanthropy is a reflection of the key role fundraising plays, not just in income, but in the health of an organization. And […]
What one brilliant arts organization can teach us about fundraising
One of the most popular posts I’ve published is about fundraising for an arts organization. That’s why I want to share some remarkable pieces I found on Medium. Then I want to talk about how this may have implications for fundraising in a broader sense – not just for arts organizations. My discovery started with […]
Need a culture of philanthropy? 8 ideas to cultivate one
By now, everyone has heard about how important a culture of philanthropy is to our organizations. But how many are really building one? First, let’s be clear about what a culture of philanthropy means. Philanthropy is “love for humankind”. Well, isn’t that what we’re doing every day? Isn’t that the point? Culture has many definitions, ranging […]