The following article is cross-posted from Alliance magazine blog. Based out of the UK, Alliance magazine is the leading global magazine on philanthropy and social investment. “Lean” foundations—those with few or no staff—make a significant contribution to American philanthropy but their size conditions how they operate according to the latest annual benchmarking report from Exponent Philanthropy (EP), which supports small foundations.

Here’s a natural, friendly and much more successful approach to major gift fundraising. I’m showing you how to develop a warm, easy relationships with your major gift prospects. Relationships where they feel heard and understood. A relationship that builds trust and credibility. When you take a donor-centered approach to a major gift, you let the donor lead the way. She feels entirely in control. She never feels “presented” to or pushed. And she’s much more […]

OK, everyone, sit down, we need to have a talk. Every once in a while, someone—usually from outside the sector—mentions their goal of forming their own nonprofit. “It has been my life-long dream to quit the rat race and start a possum therapy organization. It’s kind of like one of those equine therapy programs, but with possums instead of horses.” From the online discussions I’ve seen, the response from us is often, “Hiss! How dare […]