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Does Your Group Need a Fundraising Consultant?

June 13, 2019 by Dianna Smiley in Consulting - fundraising

How do you know if your group needs a fundraising consultant? What can a fundraising consultant do that no one on your board or staff can do, to help you raise the funds you need? This post describes some of the situations that might bring you to interview fundraising consultants, and what you should expect to find in consultants you might hire.

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June 13, 2019 /Dianna Smiley
Consultants, Fundraising Consultants, Board, Fundraising, Capital Campaign, Campaign Counsel
Consulting - fundraising
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Board Members and the Low-Giving Syndrome

July 26, 2017 by Dianna Smiley in Board Members

Some Board Members make no financial gifts at all to the organization or make relatively small gifts. I call this the “Low-Giving Syndrome”.   Is this OK?

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July 26, 2017 /Dianna Smiley
Board, Board Members, gifts, Fundraising, Giving
Board Members

PART 2 — BOARD MEMBERS CAN ASK FOR BIG GIFTS!

February 15, 2016 by Dianna Smiley in Board Members

Sometimes asking for a higher number than the donor had in mind can result in a bigger gift than they would have given otherwise, even if it’s not as high as you asked. You may never know this, but occasionally they will tell you after the fact. That’s a wonderful feeling - you helped them stretch!

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February 15, 2016 /Dianna Smiley
Board Members, Board, Gifts
Board Members

Board Member as Fundraiser (Part 2)

October 22, 2015 by Dianna Smiley in Board Members

As a board member or a campaign volunteer, you can participate powerfully in meetings with donor prospects if you are willing and able to convey why you are enthusiastic about the work of this group.  The key is to tell your story in a way that is genuinely YOU.

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October 22, 2015 /Dianna Smiley
Board Members, Board
Board Members

Board Member = Fundraiser

September 23, 2015 by Dianna Smiley in Board Members

You, better than anyone not on the board, are in a great position to participate in fundraising.  And if you don’t, it’s a loss to the group you serve. How can you get started? Here are a few suggestions.

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September 23, 2015 /Dianna Smiley
Board, Fundraising
Board Members

Should your group have an Endowment?

December 18, 2014 by Dianna Smiley in Planned Giving

Prospective donors thinking about leaving a portion of their estate to your group want to know how you will handle their gift – possibly the largest gift they will ever make. Having an endowment in place can make all the difference in their confidence.

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December 18, 2014 /Dianna Smiley
gifts, Endowment, Board, Board Members
Planned Giving

Fundraising Myth: “Only wealthy Board members can help us in fundraising (and we don’t have any).”

April 22, 2014 by Dianna Smiley in Board Members

If your Board members are giving as much as they can personally, they can feel confident in helping others to give at the level they are able, which may be much higher.  It takes work to help your Board members understand the power of their own example and their own story.

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April 22, 2014 /Dianna Smiley
Board, Board Members, Peer
Board Members

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