The importance of keeping the lights on
I shudder when I hear fundraisers declare with gospel fervor that raising money for ongoing support is a lost cause — which means I shudder… Read More »The importance of keeping the lights on
infrastructure
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
4 tips for minimizing risk when selecting a donor management system
Infrastructure. For most folks, the topic is about as exciting as underwear. No one wants to talk about infrastructure, let alone pay for it. But ignore infrastructure, and you doom your best laid plans for fundraising success to failure.
Topping the list of infrastructure essentials – just after budget and staff – is your donor management system. By this I mean something other than a stack of index cards stuffed in a development officer’s shirt pocket or purse. Or more than an excel spreadsheet – as cutting-edge as that technology seemed a few decades back. I’m referring to a software package or web-based product designed specifically to help fundraisers raise more funds.
Read More »4 tips for minimizing risk when selecting a donor management system