Wisdom From My Grandfather – and a Warning – Redux
Originally published, October 2018 My grandfather Jack and I spent a lot of time fishing when I was growing up. He was a refugee from the Jew-rousting pogroms in Russia before and during the Russian Revolution in 1917. When he was handed a rifle to fight and didn’t know what side he was on, so he immigrated to Chicago and ...
Some Must-Dos to Launch a Campaign
Sure, every organization and situation is different. However, when launching a campaign, I strongly recommend a firm sequence of events. Leadership: Members of Leadership make the first campaign commitments. The CEO, board chair, campaign co/chairs, and Chief Development Officer are the first to give. They may not be the largest gifts, but they make the campaign real in the eyes ...
Volunteers Have Become Spot Players in Advancement Strategies
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Ten years ago, I wrote a GivingTake post addressing the Calculus of Staff vs. Volunteer Driven Fundraising. Over the past decade, Copley Raff's client organizations, whether engaged in advancement strategic planning or campaign planning and counsel, have been adapting as the availability and effectiveness of advancement volunteers have declined further ...
Your Personal Bias About Money May Be Hurting Your Cause
With 30 years as an advancement executive and consultant under my belt at the time, I had this nagging feeling about how I, or my team, arrived at major gift ask amounts. So, I set out to address this vexing issue. Research: I conducted research over several years during live sessions, asking 400+ fundraisers to suggest what pledge they would ask ...
Unlock the Secret of the Happiness U-Curve
Life's rollercoaster of satisfaction isn't just random - it follows a fascinating U-curve pattern that transcends wealth and borders. Picture this: the exuberance of youth fading, hitting rock bottom in those challenging 40s and 50s, only to soar higher than ever in later years. Incredibly, even our primate cousins experience this emotional journey! But here's the kicker: Throwing money at happiness ...
Donor “street” research is essential
Subscription services like DonorSearch and Wealth Engine are the go-to donor research tools. They are the best tools you have—until they are not. We all have many examples of wealth estimates being wildly off, high, or low. Why it matters: There is no substitute for what I call “street” research. Find out all you can about the donor from people ...
