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
Author: Kent Huyser
Kent Huyser is a senior consultant at Gonser Gerber LLP. He provides a variety of advancement consulting services for colleges, universities, schools, and nonprofits. Contact him at khuyser@gonsergerber.com. Visit www.gonsergerber.com for more information on Gonser Gerber.
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
Next-Level Stewardship: Illustrating Impact
You and your Advancement colleagues are likely good at thanking donors. Experience suggests you send thank you letters within 24-48 hours of receiving gifts, make targeted personal phone calls to offer thanks, send handwritten notes, recognize donors in annual reports, and maybe even gather annually to thank donors in person. But experience also shows you … Continue reading Next-Level Stewardship: Illustrating Impact
Going Beyond Gratitude
What comes to mind when you think of the word stewardship? Thanking? Recognizing? Expressing gratitude? Making wise use of resources? Perhaps you think of all of these things or something entirely different. First-Level Stewardship: Expressing Gratitude The first level of stewardship involves making sure our donors receive a timely thank you and ensuring they know … Continue reading Going Beyond Gratitude
The Gift of Gratitude
What is the one thing you can give today that takes less than five minutes, builds constituent loyalty, increases donor retention, and improves the physical and psychological health in you and others? Gratitude. Is this on your to-do list today? It should be. Because here’s the thing about gratitude: When we give it, it grows … Continue reading The Gift of Gratitude
Found Time
We’ve learned that Advancement work during a pandemic is different. It requires increasingly empathic approaches and more targeted messaging. It calls for greater creativity. And it certainly requires persistence. Something else that’s different about Advancement work right now: found time. That is, there is more of it. Certain constituents aren’t interested in meeting with you … Continue reading Found Time
Zig When Others Zag
“What begins as a failure of the imagination ends as a market inefficiency." Michael Lewis, Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game Maybe you haven’t read the book from which this quote was taken. But I’m guessing you’ve seen or heard of the movie adaptation … Continue reading Zig When Others Zag
Like Buying Stock
“Charitable giving ought to be like any ordinary investment in that you buy the whole company. When you buy 100 shares of McDonald's you can't specify that you want to invest only in the french fries. Ditto when giving $100 to a good cause.” One way Gonser Gerber serves clients is by helping maximize a … Continue reading Like Buying Stock
Virtual Meetings: 4 Strategies for Greater Involvement
By now, I hope you’re convinced that video meetings are here to stay even beyond the pandemic, you can upgrade your virtual meeting environment and thereby improve the experience for your guests, and you can enhance your chances for securing virtual meetings with the different and creative approaches. Now, what can you do to achieve … Continue reading Virtual Meetings: 4 Strategies for Greater Involvement
5 Approaches for Securing a Virtual Meeting
Whether you believe virtual meetings are a fad borne out of the necessity or a trend here to stay, there’s one thing we can likely all agree on: Virtual meetings with donors and prospects must occur in the short-term to keep our Advancement work moving forward. Previously, I suggested virtual meetings are here to stay, … Continue reading 5 Approaches for Securing a Virtual Meeting
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