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You don’t know what you don’t’ know…
You’ve been presented with the question. “What do you want?” …or even better “What do you need?” … and even greater, “What do you need to solve your problem(s)?”. Oftentimes, these questions are too big, too ambiguous, and downright daunting. What happens? They get ignored. Here is a better question. Is your organization living up … Continue reading You don’t know what you don’t’ know…
Is there a limit to outsourcing?
I think the short answer is...maybe not. If you asked me 10 or even five years ago if the fund development function of an organization could be outsourced, my answer would be it depends. Grant writing, sure. Organizations have outsourced their database operations for decades. And, the biggest daddy, the capital (or comprehensive) campaign consultant. … Continue reading Is there a limit to outsourcing?
Exactly…what is American First Policies?!
I am a concerned US citizen regarding our current leadership. I’ve worked in nonprofit management/fundraising for 20+ years and understand research. Tonight I saw an Ad for America First Policies and was curious as to its intent and purpose. Through some basic research I found the following: https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2017-01-30/trump-advisers-start-america-first-policies-nonprofit (please note second to last paragraph … Continue reading Exactly…what is American First Policies?!
20/20 Vision Courtesy of Objectivity
It’s the old cliché “you can’t see the forest through the trees”. Objectivity is the ability to see a situation for what it really is. And, for many nonprofits, that takes an objective expert. Consider this, An objective expert can help your organization to: Save time Save money Make greater impact Does your organization want … Continue reading 20/20 Vision Courtesy of Objectivity
Mentoring Made Easy with PASS
As the incoming President of the RI Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and a teacher of a Philanthropy class at Rhode Island College (RIC), I get lots of questions and comments about mentoring. “ How can I get a mentor?” “…we had a mentoring program, it didn't work.” “…the mentor I want … Continue reading Mentoring Made Easy with PASS
“Who Should Run The Development Committee?”
This question was posted recently on one of my LinkedIn Groups. It caught my eye because most of the responses were very black and white (i.e. a voting board member) (click to view the discussion). I felt compelled to provide a different answer. "It depends". Like human beings, no two NPOs are identical. Throw in Board Members, Volunteers and … Continue reading “Who Should Run The Development Committee?”
Strategy Lessons to Learn from Congress
On April 17th, the Gun Bill was defeated in the U.S. Senate preventing the effort from moving forward to the House. News reports say that 90% of Democrats voted for the Bill while 90% of Republicans voted against. The result left the effort 6 votes short.Those opposing the Bill stand by the 2nd Amendment in … Continue reading Strategy Lessons to Learn from Congress
Short Sighted Solutions
I get it. We are a culture of immediate gratification and demand "results now". However, that is not a long-term solution for most issues. It doesn't work with diets. It doesn't work with making money. So, it shouldn't work for the Federal Budget either. For too long, the Charitable Deduction Allowance has been target for removal or … Continue reading Short Sighted Solutions
Developing a Common Language
The Development Professional and the Finance Professional of an organization need each other in order to be successful. However, they can't communicate because each are speaking a different language. I started off my week with a wonderful meeting with on of my area's leading CPAs. She was conducting research on the nonprofit sector, particularly … Continue reading Developing a Common Language
Ascent Advisors 