Imagine you’re a brand-new VP for Advancement. You arrive on the heels of the most successful campaign in the university’s history with leadership wanting to launch a new campaign in a few years as part of a 150th-anniversary celebration. After your arrival, you discover an annual giving program in steady decline, alumni giving near an … Continue reading Increase Alumni Engagement Without Adding Staff? Yes, It Is Possible!
On Comfy Pants and Building Loyalty
True confession: I have become obsessed with comfy pants. What does this revelation have to do with our work in Advancement? For me, it yielded an “aha” moment about offering thanks and building loyalty. Let me elaborate. As virtual meetings became a more necessary form of communication one year ago this week, and with webcams … Continue reading On Comfy Pants and Building Loyalty
6 Creative Approaches for Your Day of Giving
If the last 11 months have taught us anything, it’s that: a) donors are resilient, b) they recognize the challenge you face in funding your mission during a pandemic, and c) they’re ready to be the hero of the moment. Despite a global pandemic and high unemployment, giving increased! To keep the momentum going, there's … Continue reading 6 Creative Approaches for Your Day of Giving
Addressing Your First World Problem
We’ve faced our share of adversity these last 10 months – some have faced more challenges than others. But usually, when adversity surfaces, a silver lining does as well. What’s the silver lining in our work this year? I submit annual gift support. For those continuing to invite annual support regularly and unapologetically, the response … Continue reading Addressing Your First World Problem
Meaningful Involvement
Yesterday we celebrated the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. through the observance of a national holiday – the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage Americans to volunteer to improve their communities. You may have observed this holiday by participating in some form of service that was meaningful to you and/or to the … Continue reading Meaningful Involvement
Read the Thin Ones
January is the month of new beginnings and new resolutions. As you implement your New Year’s resolutions, let me pass on some quirky advice I received years ago. Before I discovered this awesome field of Advancement, I worked at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. I was a member of their Management Development Program, … Continue reading Read the Thin Ones
Imagine
Imagine dreams being fulfilled based on potential, not pocketbooks. Imagine the hungry being fed, the homeless given shelter, and the downtrodden offered hope because of generosity. Imagine teachers fulfilling their professional potential because they have the right resources. Imagine new facilities being built to advance educational instruction, care for the sick, and help the destitute … Continue reading Imagine
Are You Ready?
The great hope for a return to the “old normal” arrived this month in the form of the first COVID-19 vaccines. Frontline medical workers, assisted-living residents, and individuals age 75+ appear to be the first recipients. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the now well-known infectious disease expert, has predicted that enough doses of vaccine will be available … Continue reading Are You Ready?
The Truth About Milking Cows
I don’t know much about milking cows, but I do know this: You can’t milk a cow by sending it a letter. If this seems preposterously elementary and painfully obvious, you’re right! But to how many prospective donors have you invited philanthropic support by letter (or email) only? The annual fund is reliant upon direct … Continue reading The Truth About Milking Cows
Now More Than Ever
The contentious political season is (almost?) officially behind us. And with it, the uncertainty of who might prevail as our President for the next four years has, at the very least, gained clarity. Now, more than ever, our divided nation needs to be brought together to accomplish common and important ideals. Now, more than ever, … Continue reading Now More Than Ever
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