Blogs and Vlogs


Pros and Cons of Special Event Web Sites

Special Events, Software, and Committee Confusion I could see by the focused look on everyone’s face that this special event meeting was a serious one! Soon, the cause was evident: The committee thought they wanted a “website” when they meant … read more

Did You Intend to Fund That?

This blog originally ran in the Savannah Morning News on Oct. 9, 2018. For most of us, donating hard-earned dollars to a charitable cause is a matter of the heart…and the purse. Here’s the purse part: The US Census Bureau … read more

It Pays to Mine Your Mission

Growing up in Harlan County, Ky. meant coal mining, which meant one of two things: strip mining or deep mining. Both my grandfathers and one great-grandfather were deep miners. Pappy Miracle rarely saw much light of day, going down before … read more

Maximize Every Moment with Major Donors

Have you ever left a major donor appreciation event with the vague feeling that something was missing? When we host get-togethers without setting aside time to formally say thank you and educate our donors, we leave them wondering, “What was … read more

Stewardship Really Means Planned Gratitude

If you’ve been fundraising for very long, you’ve heard this common refrain: “The only time I ever hear from that organization is when they’re asking for money.” A formal stewardship plan is a highfalutin strategy to ensure our donors know … read more

Spontaneous Risks That Made a Difference

Fundraising for both board members and staff is a learned-by-doing job — a skill forged in the fire of rejection, rebuttal and risk-taking, all for the joy of hearing Yes! It was October 2000. The ballroom was full. The “spotters” … read more