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Let’s Get Engaged, Honey
Let’s just say it: engagement is a buzzword. I spent a few years in the educational publishing business, and it was a word I saw trotted out again and again, to describe every latest and every greatest. Engaging resources. Engage your students with this product. It’s all about engagement. After...
Don’t Give Me Gobbledegook …
With thanks to Hildy Gotlieb, I’d like to share this wonderful video. A good reminder to everyone who writes in the nonprofit arena. Social Bookmarking
8 Biggest Grant Proposal Mistakes
1. Have you followed the grant application guidelines? When I worked for a grant-making foundation, you wouldn’t believe how many times my colleagues and I would look at each other with dropped jaws: “Did they even BOTHER to read the guidelines?” we would wonder. It’s truly...
My Theme for 2010 … Three Words?
Every year, I evaluate the year just passed. Did I meet my career goals? My health and fitness goals? Did I stick to my resolutions of the previous year? While, yes, I stuck to my fitness plan (for me that’s a no brainer. Exercise has been an integral part of my life for 20something years), ...
KISS – Keep it Simple Sweetheart … with Swipe Files!
“Imitation is the highest form of flattery.” -Coco Chanel Regular readers of my newsletter, The Grow Report, know that I am a huge fan of the online fundraising resource SOFII. SOFII showcases exhibits from the best fundraisers in the businesses – people like Mal Warwick, Ken Burnett, Tom...
Sometimes it Really IS Who You Know
The year was 1982 and I was working as an administrative aide to the House Chairman of the Appropriations subcommittee of Mental Health. It was a fascinating time to be working in government, particularly in the field of mental health. I worked for a brilliant, compassionate individual by the name...
Keep Christmas in Your Heart All Year Long
“I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all year.” Charles Dickens Many years ago I was working for the Philadelphia Bar Association at their offices on South Market (near the famous Reading Terminal Market … about the only positive about working for the Philadelphia Bar Association...
15 Nonprofit Social Media Stocking Stuffers and Resolutions
Today’s post is from guest author Aerin Guy. If you’re like me, you’ve spent the better part of 2009 exploring the explosion of emerging social media tools. This year has brought a lot of “wow”, a little “whoa!”, and a whole lot of “what next”? The jury is out on Google Wave,...
11 Books for the Fundraiser on Your Gift List
When it comes to nonprofit development, you’ll find that many authors have a tendency to make simple things enormously complex. Quite the contrary, strong development involves learning basic marketing techniques, the value of truly understanding your donor, and, lastly, how to develop simple,...
Is Every Donor Your Favorite? They Should THINK That They Are!
This morning I saw this wonderful quick video from Carrie Wilkerson (also known as the Barefoot Executive) about how to make every client think they’re your favorite. I think there are some great donor retention lessons to be learned here: Social Bookmarking
Do You Major in Minor?
Most people fail in life because they major in minor things. Anthony Robbins I’ve been a member of the CharityChannel listserv community now for probably nine years. It’s been an amazing resource for me throughout my career – and also a barometer for the mindset challenges that tend...
2 Simple Ways to Increase Your Online Giving
Several weeks ago I decided to feature a local nonprofit organization I worked with years ago for Twitter’s #CharityTuesday, thinking that I might be able to drive a few extra dollars their way. So I paid a visit to their website to make a donation and copy the url. I searched and searched for...
5 Down & Dirty Tips to Ramp up Your End-of-Year Appeal
It’s already November, and, if you’re working for an understaffed agency with too much to do and not enough time or resources, think twice before you regurgitate last year’s annual appeal letter and call it a day. First off, ask yourself a few questions: Will you be mailing out your letters in-house...
