Only Wisconsin has fall days like October 14. But even more brilliant was the joy of the family and friends of the late Dr. Owen Fennema, gathered at the Owen R. Fennema Professorship in Food Chemistry celebration. Elizabeth Fennema, with me here, was radiant. “We teach the future.” Professor Fennema said this often during his […]
I’m biased and proud of it! When it comes to doing a workshop, I want the whole day and big doses of content AND fun! I drive hard. I sing. I challenge. You need to shout, write, partner, create, and share! In this current climate, being biased has a negative spin. Today I’m sharing a […]
As of October 1st we are officially in the FINAL QUARTER of the year. I can feel it “setting in” with you. YEAR-END, YIKES! Like having a baby or buying a home, it’s never the “perfect” time. There are things we wish were different before we jump in – we had more saved, we were […]
Hah! Bet you thought I was talking about major donor relationships – well, I am, sort of. A long time ago I had a challenging boss. A wise mentor said, “Treat him like you would a major donor.” What? Actually, great advice. A strategy that applies to everyone – not just the difficult boss. What […]
Action is poison to failure. I love to play Free Cell, a computer game using risk and strategy. Sometimes I say, “Screw it. Stupid game.” but I try one more time. Bingo! I win! That’s persistence overcoming resistance. Since 1998, I’ve been part of the faculty at the University of Wisconsin Fundraising and Development […]
Abracadabra! I always learn something from my participants and my session on the Power and Joy of Philanthropy with the United Way Loaned Executives was no exception. You see, I believe “We become what we think about.” (Earl Nightingale) and that our words – the specific words we CHOOSE to say, both reflect AND create […]
Generosity is a mindset. Board members and staff alike play a key role in creating donor relationships. Recently Sue Lambert, Director of the Senior Resource Center in Freeport, IL, and Jim Ferrar, Foundation Board member, attended my Fundraising is a Team Sport workshop in Rockford, IL. Jim sent in this question, and it’s a […]
How things look makes a difference. Today I’m going to share some stories (specifics omitted of course) about maintaining spaces and places named by donors. They put their name on it, or a loved one’s, and when they visit they want it looking nice. 1. The Smith Auditorium. This was a remodel of an […]
“Spic-and-span” from the 1600’s, means, “spotlessly clean and well looked after.” It’s associated with words like “immaculate, impeccable, unsullied, and untarnished.” Attention to appearance is a key factor in donor satisfaction and repeat investments. Appearances – short and long term – matter as much as impact. Think about having your name on something where […]
Are your donors filthy rich? Well you certainly hope so, right? Or do you find that description a bit offensive? Ever stop to think about just what you think about money and wealth? In my presentations, I ask my audiences to fill in these blanks….Go ahead, you try it. “Money doesn’t grow on ____________. “Money […]
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