Change Versus Stability: 10 Steps to Consider
By Bill Crouch and Mike Carter Development professionals are often confronted with a series of questions when evaluating fund raising strategies. “Do we keep just doing what we have been doing, since it has generated some success?” “Do we need to change or add new techniques and activities to our calendar?” “Have we become too […]
Organizational Speed Bumps: A Call to Innovation and Creativity
By Bill Crouch and Mike Carter THE CHALLENGE As fundraisers, how many times have we seen organizations suffer from a lack of vision, energy, and creativity? It’s not uncommon for this apathy or lack of passion to stem from staff members, other organization leaders, and even the donor base. Frequently, we’ve heard that our donors […]
Community College Fundraising: We Are Determined to Work Where Real Change Happens Daily.
By Bill Crouch and Mike Carter Since March 2020 the world has changed. In addition to the continuing global pandemic, local business leaders struggle to find qualified workers, and a newly inspired call for social justice in the U.S. reminds us inequities need tangible solutions. Well-positioned to help answer the most compelling questions of our […]
If Operationalizing a Successful Calendar is Important, Why is it so Difficult to Enact and Follow?
By Bill Crouch and Mike Carter Operationalizing a successful calendar is important for building relationships with donors for fundraising efforts. Here is why it’s difficult to enact and what you can do to follow through at each stage of the process. Fostering Relationships with Donors Successful development and advancement offices are known for their ability […]
The Importance of Successful Capital Campaigns for Community Colleges
Community colleges offer an essential solution in a skills-oriented job market, but they also face significant fundraising challenges. Here’s how you can set up your capital campaign for success. Today’s college students face a conundrum: go into debt for a degree they can’t afford or go for a cheaper option in the hope they’ll get […]
GOLF LESSONS FOR FUNDRAISERS
In 2000 I came up with a crazy idea to try to play the top 100 golf courses in the world before I died. I told Jan that she could go with me and we could spend the next 30 years on this journey. Now, she is not a golfer, but she loves to travel. […]
8 Ways to Inspire Your Board to Fundraise
Your board of directors is your hub of leadership. But as a fundraiser, you’re staring down the barrel of a difficult problem: you can’t seem to motivate your board. The good news is that even the most difficult board can be inspired to fundraise with the right tools. Here are eight ways to get your […]
Importance of Emotional Intelligence with Your Board and Major Gift Officers
While fundraising strategies get a lot of attention, the truth is that emotional intelligence is what shapes the success of your board. Here’s why it’s time to prioritize emotional intelligence. If there’s one thing your whole board agrees on, it’s donations. The problem, of course, is that getting them is much easier said than done. […]
7 Ways to Land Major Donor Meetings
Landing major donor meetings can often feel like landing your great white whale. Here are seven ways to make it possible. “Let’s meet.” These are the two magic words that start any great donor connection. Unfortunately, they’re also easier said than done. Donor meetings drive your organization forward, and landing them is all about building […]
