Glimmers of Hope Blog

Here Comes Fall! Is Your Fundraising Ready?

Donor Relationships

Yes, I’m one of “those people” who look forward to the fall season. Cooler weather, warm fireplaces, and hot drinks – what’s not to love about autumn?

That also includes the fall fundraising season. We know September-October are the best asking times of the year. Followed by November-December as the best giving times. Fall is more than pumpkin spice lattes, apple pies, and back-to-school routines. It’s a launchpad for year-end giving. And continuing to engage your donors throughout the fall increases the likelihood they’ll stay connected through the giving season.

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Demystifying Logic Models

Grants

It’s the name that strikes terror and consternation into the hearts of many. Logic model. The name is mysterious. The concept is intimidating. But what is a logic model? And does your organization need one?

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Feeling the Fear and Doing it Anyway!

Campaigns

Fear, we all experience it. Large major gift campaigns instill fear into every one of us. We can accomplish all the tasks we assign ourselves — forming a compelling and urgent case, identifying the prospective donors, recruiting the leadership, developing a solid plan…but success boils down to asking donors for financial investment.

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Do You Know Your Organization’s “Why?”

Annual Planning & Strategies

Do you know your organization’s “why?” I’m sure you know what your nonprofit does, and even how it does it, but could you describe why? More importantly, could you articulate it to a potential major donor? What about a new board member? A fellow fundraiser?

If the answer is yes, let’s go further: do you think if that same major donor asked the same question to three different people in your organization, they would give the same answer?

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The Color of Philanthropy: A New Dawn for Development Professionals of Color

Career Development

I firmly believe that a new era has dawned for emerging fundraising professionals of color.

Reflecting on the early days of my career, I stumbled into this field with little understanding that a non-profit fundraising career even existed. In 1990, fresh out of undergrad, I took on the role of a departmental secretary in alumni relations at Washington University in St. Louis, MO. I was not only the sole Black individual in alumni relations but also on the fundraising side of the massive alumni and development shop.

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