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nonprofit organizations

A two-part apologetic for the campaign feasibility study

If the idea of a capital or major gifts campaign hasn’t popped up in a boardroom or staff conversation, wait a day or two and you’re likely to hear it mentioned. Wherever money is tight (and that’s just about everywhere these days), someone is likely to propose a campaign as the financial cure-all. And well it could be. But then again, maybe not. Or at least not at the level proposed.

Before launching head-long into a campaign, it’s a good idea to test your organization’s giving waters with a feasibility study.  Okay, I hear you. The idea of spending money to decide if you can raise money can seem a silly idea for a cash-strapped organization. Isn’t it better simply to get out there and ask?

Again, it could be, but more likely the answer is “no.” At least if you’re concerned about embarrassing yourself and your organization.Read More »A two-part apologetic for the campaign feasibility study

At long last, overhead expenses get some respect

Several times a year, I watch as board members and ministry staff struggle to keep overhead expenses as low as possible. Never mind that most nonprofits have already stripped administrative lines to the bone. Overhead can’t be too lean, or so conventional wisdom tells us.

And if a brave CEO suggests pumping up the budget in pursuit of a growth opportunity, well watch out. The 990 trolls and other guardians of the myth that a dollar spent on infrastructure is a dollar robbed from mission will be all over the organization.  Read More »At long last, overhead expenses get some respect

Join me in stamping out torture by meetings

A study out of the UK tells us the average office worker spends around 16 hours a week in meetings. That’s more than 200 hours a year, or over the course of a career, 9,000 hours and counting spent holed up in a meeting room. I’ve not found similar statistics for the nonprofit sector, but my experience tells me it’s more of the same. Wherever two or three gather, there are meetings. Lots of meetings.

Experience also tells me that a majority of those meetings are poorly run, dreadfully boring, and absent a clear purpose. If you’ve ever wanted to run screaming from the room mid-way into a rambling agenda, welcome to the club. Board members, CEOs, staff, and volunteers, we’ve all experienced torture by meetings.

Enough is enough. It’s time to put a stop to the misery.Read More »Join me in stamping out torture by meetings

Tips for getting your toe in the door

A fundraiser friend of mine is struggling to meet her goal for number of donor visits per week. She’s heard it said often enough to believe she won’t raise money – real money that is – sitting at her desk. My friend is eager to be out and about, meeting with the good folks who support her organization. Unfortunately, not as many of them are eager to meet with her.

“How can I up the percentage of yes’s to my requests for visits?” she asked. “People are polite, but most say it’s not necessary for me to come see them – that I shouldn’t waste my time stopping by. They tell me they’ll continue giving without a visit. What more can I say?”Read More »Tips for getting your toe in the door