proppec Major gifts

The Science Behind Storytelling and How To Use The Pixar Framework

Storytelling permeates nearly every aspect of our society. The human brain is hardwired to respond to the power of storytelling. From curling up with a good book, to taking a trip to the movies, to listening to your friend recount what they did last weekend, human beings love to be enthralled by stories. Throughout history, … Continue reading The Science Behind Storytelling and How To Use The Pixar Framework

proppec Major gifts

How to get your charity’s funding application to the top of the pile

Philanthropists’ programme officers browse countless proposals from charities. Rachel Stephenson Sheff is a fundraising and philanthropy adviser at IG Advisors, where she represents the foundations of two philanthropists. She started her career as a fundraiser but going through applications to help clients decide where to put their money is a whole new ball game. So … Continue reading How to get your charity’s funding application to the top of the pile

proppec Major gifts

Richard Branson’s most valuable tip for anyone who pitches an idea

Richard Branson needs no introduction and there is no doubt that he has heard thousands of pitches. What can fundraisers learn from Richard when it comes to us pitching to wealthy individuals? Richard states: "Throughout my career, I have heard thousands of pitches: formal business sit-downs, opportunist moments in elevators, and some very inventive incidents … Continue reading Richard Branson’s most valuable tip for anyone who pitches an idea

proppec Major gifts, Marketing

Should You Include Major Donor Prospects in Your Year-End Appeal?

Here’s the challenge – you’ve developed close, friendly, easy connections with your major gift prospects. You’re investing tons of time with these special major donor prospects — visiting with them, listening to their ideas, sharing your work with them. They are getting high-touch, very personalized treatment all the time, and they’re feeling like insiders at … Continue reading Should You Include Major Donor Prospects in Your Year-End Appeal?

proppec Major gifts

Background investigations – Don’t skip the media report

Due diligence background investigations come in all flavors. They’re generally customised according to industry, level of risk, and time constraints. There’s one component, though, that should be included in all background checks on people and companies – the media report. It’s the section of a background investigation that covers news and social media. The media … Continue reading Background investigations – Don’t skip the media report

proppec Major gifts

Which traits predict graduates’ earnings?

Which university graduates will go on to earn the most money? Labour-market observers should not be surprised to find that both the subjects people study and the universities they attend are strong predictors of career earnings. A report from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), a think-tank, provides further clarity on this question by matching … Continue reading Which traits predict graduates’ earnings?

proppec Major gifts

10 Ways to Find New Donors for Your Nonprofit Organization

Each year, approximately 10% of your non-profit donor base will attrition naturally through death, moving, or just not giving any longer. Then you add lapsed donors on top of that natural attrition, and you are looking at an eroding donor list. Sound familiar? Here, Robin Cabral shares some simple steps that you can take to … Continue reading 10 Ways to Find New Donors for Your Nonprofit Organization