All donors need logical information about an organization to make giving decisions. Women need to hear facts and statistics in order to trust that their gift is in good hands. But adding communication that evokes empathy will deepen your conversations with women, leading to stronger relationships and an increased likelihood of giving.
Do your President and Deans know how many days a year you have to fundraise? I bet they will be surprised by the answer. Recently a senior university advancement leader wanted to know how best to educate the deans about how limited the fundraisers time was to actually do the work of raising money. So how many days in a year do you actually have to meet prospects and raise money?
After 25 years serving in higher ed advancement leadership, my life’s work is now focused on coaching nonprofit leaders, finding great talent for an organization, and partnering to solve a myriad of organizational issues. I am launching Coach’s Corner to complement this work, share what I am learning, and present strategic questions from leaders in the field and insights about how to address them.
Integrating women across your fundraising processes is not an all or nothing act; you can start from where you are today by taking small steps. Declaring a clear vision can be a powerful tool and first step.
In the last three decades, many university advancement departments thoughtfully designed dedicated women’s “programs” or “initiatives.” These efforts responded to women’s preferences to connect and collaborate, as well as to be engaged before they are asked. Some resembled giving circles, while others focused on placing women in leadership positions or on connecting alumnae. However, a common thread united – and limited – these programs: they all were siloed, niche programs that artificially separated women’s giving from larger development efforts.
How is women’s giving behavior different from male donors? 5 insights about what makes women donate.
Board chairs expect the CDO to think both short-term and long-term and to set goals and create fundraising programs that appropriately balance short and long-term objectives. Board chairs view the CDO as one of the key leaders of their organizations…
Ron Schiller shares with Alexander Haas’s podcast how the transferable skills from his background in the arts set him up for success in fundraising – and how you can direct your career in fundraising to achieve your goals.
Multiple attempts have been made over the years to “manage change,” often with little effect. What if instead nonprofit professionals sought to lead through change?
Many “non-traditional” candidates from outside the nonprofit sector don’t get a chance to interview because the supposed risk in taking someone with only “related” experience is deemed too high. Here are some of those risks and perceived risks, together with suggestions on how to address or overcome them.
