Development Department

Development Department

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Latest — 08 Sep 2025

Fundraising as Moment of Freedom

Every ask and every gift is a confrontation with the idea of freedom itself. Fundraising reveals the weight of what it means for humans to have a choice. The fundraiser is the one who sets the context choice and then invites the donor into their absolute freedom. They can say

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Decision Velocity: The Key to Strong Organizations

Organizations are groups of people making decisions together. That’s why it’s always been a little surprising to me how little attention is paid to the way those decisions are made. My philosophy on decision-making is pretty simple: winning organizations are the ones who make the most decisions in

Writing a Case for Support

A case for support answers the urgent question: “What makes this program worthy of winning someone’s financial support.” It is the backbone of any successful fundraising campaign and outlines why a donor should contribute to your cause. It’s more than just a list of facts and figures -

Systems Fundraisers and Rolodex Fundraisers

Every project will have solicitors - sometimes paid, sometimes volunteer, sometimes you, who will help us bring in more donors. Finding and managing these solicitors is a challenge in itself. In the professional class you’ll find two subcategories of fundraiser - the rolodex fundraiser and the systems fundraiser. Rolodex

Attending Fundraising Events

Attending social gatherings can be a fantastic method for increasing the resource pool of your nonprofit. Of course, it’s not as simple as being present at these functions; there’s a lot more to consider. Set Goals Before setting foot in any event, familiarize yourself with the attendees and

Creating a Fundraising Plan

A fundraising plan serves as your roadmap to success— a compass directing your efforts, making each step intentional and significant. This document embodies your dedication, capturing your thoughts, ideas, and commitment to the cause. Without a plan, you risk being adrift in uncertainty. Even well-intentioned efforts can lose direction, diluting

A Brief History of Professional Charity

The history of charity is as old as human civilization itself, and the act of helping those in need is virtually universal. Thus, this post is far from a comprehensive history. It does cover a few major points that may be helpful as you seek to understand a bit more

Creating Strong Donor Communities

Building a community is not just about creating connections; it also serves as an antidote to loneliness. As social beings, humans naturally desire connection, but societal structures often prioritize individualism, leading to feelings of isolation. Loneliness can breed unhappiness, which contradicts our potential as people. Communities, whether formed around a

Following Up

The quality of relationships, not merely their quantity, shape your journey. Several years ago, my boss asked me to visit a younger donor. His father was a famous venture capitalist but only gave a small check every year. With little hope of improving our relationship, my employer - a civil

Saying Thank You (Stewardship and Recognition)

No one is more famous for customer service than the Ritz-Carlton. The chain of hotels has built a reputation so stunning that I feel confident in shamelessly copying them to build my stewardship and recognition plans. Building these plans is important and almost always overlooked. They matter less if you&