40 Years from the Front Lines
Personal encounters, insights and laughs from the “trenches” by Larry G. Raff, President, Copley Raff
Personal encounters, insights and laughs from the “trenches” by Larry G. Raff, President, Copley Raff
Your campaign chair is a very busy person and held in high regard in the community. It is incumbent upon you to use them to greatest effect. Here is a story to illustrate the point.
As rock solid as a gift promise may be, don’t get too excited about it until the pledge is written and some cash is in the bank. Here is a story to illustrate the point.
Board surveys indicate most board members want to solicit strangers but want to be solicited by friends. This story illustrates the point.
Advancement consultants are useful from advancement planning to campaign planning and execution, and being in the room during a major gift discussion. Here is a story to illustrate the point.
Personal relationships and long cultivation periods may not be necessary when a high prestige asker is involved in the gift discussion. Here is a story to illustrate the point.
As well as you may think you know your donors, be prepared for almost any reaction to an ask. Here is a story to illustrate the point.
Knowing the donor’s source of wealth will help you construct a stronger ask and recommendations for gift type and structure. Here is a story to illustrate the point.
Your attitude and emotions about money can often interfere with the amount you ask of someone for a major gift and how comfortable you are asking. (Mishigoss is Yiddish for silly craziness.) Here is a story to illustrate the point.
Be sure to have an open dialog with your board chairs about their responsibilities and your hopes for their involvement and giving. Here is a story to illustrate the point.
The best research about the philanthropic capability of a donor candidate is finding a stakeholder who knows them well and then add that to the electronic wealth and other research. Then bring together colleagues to discuss the ask amount. Here is a story to illustrate the point.
When building your donor pipeline, be sure to ask your more senior staff to review a screening list of prospects and to suggest potential donors. Here is a story to illustrate the point.
Just because a nonprofit’s fundraising history is not strong does not mean it cannot be strengthened and begin attracting major donor gifts. Here is a story to illustrate the point.
Think outside the box to build a major donor pipeline. Here is a story to illustrate the point.
Your nonprofit needs to believe it is important enough to attract leadership and transformational gifts. Only then will that happen. Here is a story to illustrate the point.
Being in an economic downturn does not mean your best donors are being affected. Keep a positive attitude until you know more about the donor’s situation. Here is a story to illustrate the point.
Gaining access to high potential prospects is difficult. Finding and using the relationships of others is the key to success. Here is a story to illustrate the point.
Bonding calls to thank donors for their giving is a chance to get to know them and to express your appreciation. The call greatly enhances the likelihood of continued giving. Here is a story to illustrate the point. Here is a story to illustrate the point.