2011 AFP NC Philanthropy Conference
Aug 8, 2011 Weblog
It’s my pleasure to have been invited to present at the 7th Annual AFP NC Philanthropy Conference in Durham, NC on August 11, 2011.
My session, International Perspectives to Inform Our Best Practices, explores the context for philanthropy and charity for international cultures such as those in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
By understanding these unique cultural perspectives, fundraisers are able to incorporate a diverse approach to their fund development efforts stateside. This should result in improved donor interaction, regardless of target donor demographics.
For your reference I am happy to provide a copy of the presentation handouts (PDF) referenced during my session at 3:15 p.m. on August 11, 2011. The session is located in the Crown Room of the Sheraton Imperial Hotel in Durham, NC.
Tags: #afpmeet, AFP, best practice, case study, conference, cross-cultural, culture, fundraising, international, linkage, mission, NC, philanthropy, relationship-based fundraising, stewardship, sustainable
Donor-Centered Planned Gift Marketing – Breathing New Life into Planned Giving [Book Review]
Aug 1, 2011 Weblog
If you’re like me, the term “planned gift” immediately conjures up visions of accountants, lawyers, and financial planners gathered around a large table stacked to the ceiling with superfluous paperwork situated in a musty building not far from a nursing home.
Morbid? Yes. Accurate? No.
Enter Michael Rosen’s book… a resource I wish existed several years ago when I was studying for the Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) exam. At the time, Planned Giving Simplified: The Gift, The Giver, and the Gift Planner (AFP/Wiley Fund Development Series) was among the best book on the market (it’s still a great survey on the topic). Donor-Centered Planned Gift Marketing: (AFP Fund Development Series) picks up where Robert Sharpe’s book leaves off, but brushes off the perceived complexity of planned giving and challenged my stereotype of the topic. I’ve found it to be a welcomed resource on my bookshelf and I’m sure you will as well.
If you’re a donor considering Rosen’s book to help inform your own philanthropy I would also like to recommend an essay on endowments located in volume five of ESSAYS ON ECONOMICS AND SOCIETY 2 VOL SET (4 & 5) (Collected Works of John Stuart Mill). I believe you’ll find this will challenge your perspective on perpetual gifts. Conversely, I would also like to recommend the chapter titled “The Best Fields for Philanthropy” found in Andrew Carnegie’s The Gospel of Wealth Essays and Other Writings (Penguin Classics).
Paul Jacob Roberts liked this post
Tags: book review, cultivation, donor-centered, fundraising, philanthropy, planned giving, relationship-based fundraising, transformational
Reconsidering the Titles We Give Professional Fundraisers
Jul 6, 2011 Weblog
Yet another member of the front-line fundraising team at my organization is departing for a position at another institution. So, as we’ve done in the past, the team gathered last night to bid farewell to Sharon — a valued colleague, trusted confidant, loyal friend, and in my case… my fundraiser?
About two years ago I decided that if I was going to be supporting my institution with philanthropic support, I should have a contact that could help set up my gift and would steward my support. Even though the research I wanted to support was literally thirty feet from my office door, I felt I should still have a chance to have a full donor experience and get to work with a fundraiser in that journey. I asked Sharon if she would be that person.
In Sharon’s departure I’ve had to consider who I’d want to represent my philanthropic interests with the organization. I believe I know who I’ll ask, but the hard part is figuring out the right way to pose the question.
Within the profession we use awkward terminology to refer to the relationship donors share with the person that represents their connection with the organization (e.g. development director and major gifts officer). Neither of these titles reflect the balance professional fundraisers negotiate between donor intent and organizational need… a highly difficult task in light of donor advised funds, restricted gifts, and performance-driven grant making. These titles also fail to address the other aspects of the fundraising profession, the trust relationship.
Look at any other professional field. Let’s say you were talking with a close friend and wanted to make reference to your doctor or accountant. You would be inclined to use a possessive pronoun. “I have to schedule an appointment to see MY doctor.”
Professional titles (doctor, accountant, lawyer) brings with it connotations of trust, confidentiality, expertise, and ethics. I proudly wear the banner of “fundraiser,” but know that this title is not fully descriptive of my profession and of my responsibilities. This became clearer last night as I considered who among my colleagues I would want to represent my interests as I continue giving to my institution.
Those that know me also know how I’ve described my job when asked by those that don’t understand the concept of a major gift officer (no, I don’t have a badge to prove it). I have settled on using the term “philanthropic adviser.” This is in large part why my current working title is now “director of philanthropy and development” not just “director of development.” I’m quite pleased with the prospect of referring to Sharon in the past tense as my philanthropic adviser. I am also confident that when I ask one of my colleagues to represent my support to the institution as my philanthropic adviser, they will be quite clear with what I am asking of them. However, I still wonder if a better term exists for professional fundraisers.
Tags: career, cultivation, donor advised fund, ethics, fundraising, misconceptions, philanthropy, relationship-based fundraising
How to Build a Philanthropic Plan
May 2, 2010 Weblog
Over the past several months I have been participating in the mentoring program with my local chapter of AFP. The majority of the meetings with my mentee have focused on helping her articulate a case for support and building a philanthropic plan for the organization’s integrated strategic plan.
To extend the value of the work done with my mentee to others looking to improve their strategic planning skills, we will spend the next several weeks breaking down the parts of a philanthropic plan. The philanthropic plan typically consists of five basic parts. These parts build on one another as your plan progresses to give your strategy clarity. The early sections give detail so that the latter sections can concentrate on providing a concise road-map of actionable items to achieve your development goals.
As with grammar, these parts are listed below to simply to provide structure and a general guideline, but rules are made to be broken (provided you understand the rules and the reason for them). These parts include:
- Organizational Context – mission, vision, history, values
- Philanthropic Environment – fundraising resource audit, SWOT analysis
- Philanthropic Goals – strategic, financial, timetable
- Philanthropic Strategy – cases for support (audience, case, and implementation)
- Benchmarks – staff performance metrics, strategic, financial
Next: Organizational Context
Tags: best practice, case for support, defining terms, fundraising, history, integrated development plan, interest, linkage, management, mission, philanthropic plan, philanthropy, resource audit, strategic planning, SWOT, values, vision
Fresh Set of Eyes
Jun 20, 2009 Weblog
This post is an open request for feedback from people who have never worked for a nonprofit and are inclined to say “philanthropy” is an awkward word.
I remember when I first started working in the nonprofit sector. I entered the third sector workforce thinking of it as a short-term thing… you know, until I found a real job. However, I stuck with that first job for five years. During that time I learned that nonprofit organizations are no less professional than the private sector.
According to my boss at the time, I made important contributions to the organization. He frequently reminded me that the reasons he hired me were because I had the technical ability and personality to do the work, but mostly important – I brought a fresh set of eyes to the organization.
Having spent the better part of the past ten years as a fundraiser, board member, consultant, member of nonprofit professional societies, and student of philanthropy my “fresh eyes” are getting tired. I run the risk of developing tunnel vision. Buzz words and the “body of knowledge” are my blinders.
The following requests are directed to those with questions about nonprofit organizations, philanthropy, or any of the words nonprofit professionals throw around. Since you have the fresh eyes, I need your help.
- I need you to ask what we do, why we do it, and how it impacts the public and private sectors.
- I need you to ask questions that challenge nonprofits to be transparent, accountable, and innovative.
- When request for your philanthropy of time, money, and talent arrive in your mailbox, inbox, or through some other media, tell me what you like.
- If these requests don’t ring true, tell me why.
- When you see a nonprofit do something you like please share and explain what resonates with you.
Tags: career, fundraising, philanthropy