Here’s a fundraising secret that will relieve a great amount of angst: resources flow. Resources like time, creativity, networks, ideas, passion and money.  These resources are ours to leverage. Unfortunately, they can get stuck and stalled, in large part, because of the barriers we erect around them.  And the bossiest of barriers: our problematic relationship [...]

Guest blog by philanthropist Jeffrey C Walker Start today and make your fundraising events more productive (And yes, let’s get something other than money out of them!) I have long gone on the record disliking large fundraisers. You know the drill: sitting at a table of ten people, talking to two people on each side [...]

I’m thrilled to announce that registration is formally open for the 2013 Course in Exponential Fundraising at Harvard. Please go to http://www.hks.harvard.edu/hauser/cef/  for a more detailed description of the program. The Course in Exponential Fundraising is a year-long engagement during where we work with 20 visionary leaders from the nonprofit sector who want to both dramatically improve [...]

Let’s say you’re a Pittsburgh Steelers fan all wrapped in black and gold at Heinz Field playing the loathed Patriots  (confession: I’ll spend the Fall with a Terrible Towel in my kitchen). Wait, better yet, let’s say you have money on the Steelers. As you sit watching your wager waver, you’d want your QB, Big [...]

Most would agree that successful fundraising is all about harnessing resources. Well, my blogger red flag goes up whenever I hear “most would agree.” So here’s why “most” end up leaving resources on the table. Harnessing resources is good, yes, But it’s the natural after effect when you focus on the most important aspect of [...]

Urgency is a time-tested technique for fundraising. Turning the urgency dial to “Hot” in times of crises is entirely appropriate and necessary.  After the earthquake in Haiti or the tsunami in Japan, after scores of similar natural disasters, there is critical need for quick, decisive action and resource mobilization. A curious thing about this urgency business, [...]

In four separate meetings over the past week I was in the audience as speakers leaned heavily on PowerPoint presentations. Each presentation consisted of slide after slide of bulleted text copy. They used this copy as a talking point guide. One presenter just stood and read each slide as if the audience was either blind or illiterate. [...]

Celebration builds community. I don’t mean just celebrating the end of a campaign or a transformational gift.  I’m talking about frequent celebrations with your whole team – your board, your philanthropic partners, your colleagues. Celebrations are a way for members of your community to come together to honor what you’ve done and where you are [...]

Recently, an Executive Director asked me if he should bring his Chief Development Officer, an accomplished, seasoned fundraiser, with him on first visits with new prospective partners or wait until he’s established a relationship first and then introduce her. He said he sees the pros and cons to both approaches. My answer, while perhaps not [...]