Learning About Your Lead Donors: Manipulation, Persuasion or Opportunity?
Make a short list of five things you want to know about your largest donors or prospective donors. Chances are your list will start with how much money and resources they have so you can determine if they have the capacity give a large gift. Of course, that does make...
Don’t Let Your Capital Campaign Cannibalize Your Annual Fund
What do you think is the most common worry board members have when they are considering a capital campaign? If what came to your mind was the worry that a capital campaign would cannibalize their fundraising for operations, you’d be right. Of course they also worry...
The Hidden Power of Capital Campaigns: The Trojan Horse Effect
Capital campaigns accomplish much more than money. The very idea that you could raise lots of money inspires you to think from abundance and to imagine how your organization might have more impact. And, as our friend Nick Fellers reminds us, increased impact drives...
Avoid This Common Fundraising Trap to Ensure a Successful Campaign
Imagine that you (the ED or DD of your organization) are meeting with a donor who has the capacity to give a significant gift to your organization. Ready… You have scheduled the meeting specifically to talk about the possibility of a gift to your campaign. The donor...
Not Ready for Your Capital Campaign? Don’t Pause – Dive In!
It’s a rare organization that finishes a feasibility study and learns that they have all the lead prospects they need to have a hugely successful campaign. Far more likely, you’ll have found that only a few of those prospects who know your organization are excited...
