Fundraising

Resources for ethical practices in fundraising

Resources for ethical practices in fundraising

Matt and I are really pleased to be joining our colleagues at the monthly programming session of the Association of Fundraising Professionals – South Dakota Chapter in Rapid City today. We will be making a brief presentation on the importance of ethical practices in fundraising and maintaining the public trust. It should be a great discussion! 

In the business of our day-to-day work, we may not always take time to reflect on the ethical standards that are necessary for the health of our sector and the protection of donors. As fundraising professionals, I think we need to take time to think carefully and critically about ethical issues proactively so we’re more prepared to make decisions when ethical dilemmas inevitably arise.

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One of my favorite things about the New Year...

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One of my favorite things about the New Year...

One of my favorite things about the New Year--and the first full week back from the holidays--is to hear about how those end of year appeals went... to dissect what worked, and consider what could be improved. We know that matching gifts and language that focuses on the donor are important. But some of the nonprofit partners we work alongside moved beyond that, and employed some neat things to move the dial on their end of year gifts.

Here's a few things that we think worked, and are ideas you might consider as you look at your annual fund programs in 2016

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The season for giving thanks... and hosting nonprofit galas

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The season for giving thanks... and hosting nonprofit galas

As the end of the year draws near, my heart and head is filled with gratitude for the good year it has been. For the people who do good things to make life better for others. For strangers who spread kindness. For friends who offer a sense of balance to the challenges we may face.  Perhaps it is fitting, then, that in this season of thanks so many of our nonprofit partners we work with--and countless more all across this country--are hosting their annual gala benefits that raise money for their missions.

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At an unexpected dinner, we raised a glass to Barb

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At an unexpected dinner, we raised a glass to Barb

On Wednesday afternoon, I had a chance to fly to the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul for a meeting on Thursday. As I left my house (after about only 12 hours at home) I got a text from a friends from the Quad Cities--Clare Thompson, a former St. Ambrose University advancement officer who is now working at Ruffalo Noel Levitz, asking if I had time for a conversation about art and culture.

Demystifying relationships with charitable foundations

Over the course of the last nine-plus years, Numads have had the great fortune to work with some of the best foundation personnel out there, at least in our humble opinions.  We’ve gotten to know program officers, foundation presidents, communications personnel, and others at foundations large and small, working nationally and in local communities. And we’ve been inspired by every one of them and their efforts to make their communities--at home or across the nation--better places to live, work and play.

Because true, innovative partnerships know no bounds.