Financial stability is important before entering a capital campaign, particularly to leadership donors. No one wants to fund a “sinking ship.” If your organization is in a weak financial position, you will need to stabilize it. You’ll need to have sufficient reserves to cover...

For many people new to the whole concept of the nonprofit sector, there is a great deal of misunderstanding of what it means to be a nonprofit. Some think it means the organization can’t operate in the black, because it then becomes a “for profit.” Many people think that...

Before we begin to do an in-depth assessment to determine whether your organization has the infrastructure in place to run a campaign, as well as the community awareness needed to generate excitement about your campaign, let’s look at some basic planning data.

Although it is often said that...

One of the best pieces of advice for any nonprofit organization may be to get rid of your nominating committee. For most organizations, the nominating committee has two primary functions: to fill vacant board seats and to elect officers of the board. In most cases, this committee is an ad hoc...

We continue with the explanation of the qualities it takes to be a successful fundraiser.

Ability to Motivate

 The ability to motivate donors, volunteers, and staff is a critical key for success. Motivating donors goes back to the integrity section. Putting the donor's interest first and...

Many nonprofits have difficulty attracting business leaders to serve on their boards. When they are successful, they often lose those leaders within the first year. Ever wonder why?

If you want these individuals to serve, you have to know what will make them comfortable and interested as well as...

Many nonprofits have difficulty attracting business leaders to serve on their boards. When they are successful, they often lose those leaders within the first year. Ever wonder why?

If you want these individuals to serve, you have to know what will make them comfortable and interested as well as...

In most cases, you will want to do a planning study (sometimes called a feasibility study) before you decide to proceed with a campaign. The study should be done by a consultant to ensure that the people being interviewed feel comfortable talking about their perceptions of your organization. An...

Concern for People

Again, this may seem like an innate quality that one either has or doesn’t, but there are some things you can do to cultivate concern. First, working for an organization about which you care deeply is one way that you can feel concern for the organization’s clients....

Is it important, even necessary, for your board members to contribute to your organization’s annual appeal?

Yes, for several reasons:

• It increases the level of “ownership” the board members feel towards your organization.
• It shows others that your board members are good...

Contrary to popular opinion, capital campaigns are not generally the best way to reach new donors, although often a donor will be inspired by the larger vision of your organization. In reality, most donations for your campaign will come from donors who already support your organization. However,...