Training Archives | Page 4 of 4

7 & 8 Figure Gifts – Why Some Get Them and Other’s Don’t

By Larry Raff In Insights, Major Gifts, Training Posted June 23, 2013 0 Comments

It takes more than wishful thinking to get a share of the big gifts. I just read about Harvard receiving another eight-figure gift, substantially adding to its huge endowment coffers. And here you are, an advancement officer for a venerable institution, wondering what it is about Harvard that enables it to habitually attract such large […]

Getting Value from Training

By Larry Raff In Major Gifts, Training Posted May 26, 2013 0 Comments

There is no substitute for professional development and being a life-long learner. All professionals need to step out of the day to day to be immersed in new thinking, alternative approaches to challenges and stimulation of our creative side. There are a confounding number of training offerings for advancement professionals that offer a wide range […]

Fundraisers…the Great Equalizers

By Larry Raff In Major Gifts, Planning & Strategy, Training Posted May 11, 2013 0 Comments

There are so many reasons for fundraisers to feel good about our profession and the work we do. We have the opportunity and the obligation to represent worthy and important organizational missions and to enable philanthropists of all stripes to share their love of humanity in meaningful ways. If this were not enough motivation to […]

Congratulations to Lori Freeman – Winner of the planMGO-Master Gift Officer Fellowship

By Larry Raff In Career & Recruitment, Major Gifts, Training Posted April 14, 2013 0 Comments

Master Gift Officer. Just the words alone conjure up confidence, optimism, energy, and success. And the phrase embodies what we all strive for: demonstrating the highest level of ability, talent, and dedication within the development profession. Today, the job title is not on the tip of the tongue of most nonprofit fundraising professionals or organizations, […]

It’s Party Time!

By Larry Raff In Insights, Major Gifts, Planning & Strategy, Training Posted March 24, 2013 0 Comments

This New Yorker cartoon reminded me that event season is right around the corner. As sure as the sun rises and sets, so too does the annual onslaught of galas, golf outings, dinner-dances and awards ceremonies. Between our clients and other non-profit organizations that receive my personal philanthropic support, spring-themed invitations are now arriving […]

The Case For The Case

By Larry Raff In Major Gifts, Planning & Strategy, Training Posted July 10, 2012 0 Comments

So why should I support you? Why does your organization merit a gift more so than the other million plus charities registered in the United States? And why now? These are questions that any advancement professional should be able to answer effortlessly and convincingly about their NPO. An organization’s case for support should concisely and […]

Ask – Don’t Assume – About Your Donors

By Larry Raff In Insights, Major Gifts, Training Posted May 14, 2012 2 Comments

You may be familiar with the old adage about the word “assume”… that it makes a “donkey’s rear end” of “u” and “me.” And this is especially true when it comes to major gift fundraising. The first lessons of Philanthropy 101 include knowing your donors and their philanthropic aspirations. It takes significant time, effort, and […]

Congratulations to Kristina DeMain – Winner of the PLAN-Master Gift Officer Fellowship

By Larry Raff In Major Gifts, Training Posted April 9, 2012 0 Comments

Master Gift Officer. Just the words alone conjure up confidence, optimism, energy, and success. And the phrase embodies what we all strive for: demonstrating the highest level of ability, talent, and dedication within the development profession. Today, the job title isn’t on the tip of the tongue of most nonprofit fundraising professionals or organizations, and […]

Determining How Much to Ask For – Art and Science

By Larry Raff In Insights, Major Gifts, Training Posted March 19, 2012 0 Comments

According to author and well known life coach Shakti Gawain, “You create your opportunities by asking for them.” And the same certainly holds true for those of us in the fundraising profession. It is usually crystal clear when the time is right to ask for a gift… but equally murky on exactly how much to […]

Focus … Major Giving

By Larry Raff In Insights, Major Gifts, Planning & Strategy, Training Posted February 21, 2012 0 Comments

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit. Aristotle A colleague here at Copley Raff constantly reminds me, and our clients, to “fish where the fish are.” By that she means to focus on the areas with the greatest potential payback and ROI. In terms of advancement “fishing,” […]

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