Inspirational stories can motivate. But stigmatized stories can cripple. This matters for fundraising because it matters for fundraisers. Few professions suffer more from stigmatized stories than fundraising. Story begins with character. Consider the “fundraiser” character. What is this role? What is this title? Fundraiser. What does that mean? Fund means money. Raiser means one who … Continue reading Fundraiser turnover problems: The stigmatized story character
Fundraising in 2023 viewed from 2022
Nearly three years after COVID shook up charities and the way we fundraise, what does 2023 look like? A glance into the fundraising crystal ball shows a tumultuous year but with foresight, planning and some nerves of steel fundraisers and their charities can help those in greater need than ever and weather 2023. The perfect … Continue reading Fundraising in 2023 viewed from 2022
Providing Oxford’s margin of excellence
As her seven-year term as the University of Oxford's Vice-Chancellor comes to an end, Professor Dame Louise Richardson reflects on the substantial difference philanthropy makes to the life and work of the University. ‘We often think of philanthropy as something new that’s been imposed on us or as a necessary evil occasioned by the times, … Continue reading Providing Oxford’s margin of excellence
You’re Worth the Investment: How to Advocate for Your Professional Development
In this original blog, Ashley Gatewood, Communication and Marketing Director at CFRE International, explains the importance of investing in training. When employers need to trim a budget line item in leaner times, professional development frequently gets the first cut of the ax. It feels quite ironic, doesn’t it? If your organisation needs to succeed against … Continue reading You’re Worth the Investment: How to Advocate for Your Professional Development
As your team gets bigger your leadership style has to adapt
As Development and Fundraising teams become more successful, many are lucky enough to start growing their teams. However, there are hidden consequences to an expanding team. What lessons can leaders learn to prepare? When Julie Zhuo, Facebook’s vice president of design, first began managing a team, it consisted of just a handful of people. When … Continue reading As your team gets bigger your leadership style has to adapt
How to Build Resilience
Resilience is the ability to withstand, recover, return, and thrive in the face of adversity or a traumatic event. Resilience is an ongoing process that develops over time. Furthermore, our perceptions, culture, family, experiences, and training all influence our resilience. While we all have our strategies for dealing with life’s challenges, the use of positive … Continue reading How to Build Resilience
What To Do When Someone Is Bringing Down Your Team
Tolerating performance or behavior that negatively impacts the team is choosing to signal to the team that you are OK with it. The only choices you really have in situations like these are to Tolerate, Train, or Terminate. Shane Snow took this advice to heart over the years and made a flowchart as a reminder … Continue reading What To Do When Someone Is Bringing Down Your Team
31 Ways to Improve Your Life and Leadership in One Month
Marcel Schwantes writes: "Many years ago when I started to coach and train leaders to become the best versions of themselves, I had to learn to be the example and to walk the talk myself! The biggest obstacle standing in my way? Me. "I had to learn to remove the barriers of hubris, self-centeredness, and … Continue reading 31 Ways to Improve Your Life and Leadership in One Month
How Accessible Data Can Make Nonprofits More Effective
Can you think of a time when a new strategy didn’t work, results changed unexpectedly, or a goal was missed? Through the power of hindsight, you may be able to see right away if it was due to a knowledge or skills gap. A recent study into these competencies showed that at least 59% of … Continue reading How Accessible Data Can Make Nonprofits More Effective
The five steps of risk assessment
An event like a hacker attack or the loss of a major donor could be catastrophic for your charity. So what are you doing to reduce the risk of such an event? This question is at the core of risk management, and it’s one that charities of all sizes should be asking themselves on a … Continue reading The five steps of risk assessment
Propper Fundraising 