Honorary Board Members – The Truth and The Consequences
Many nonprofit organizations boast lists of honorary trustees, board members, and/or directors. And the vast…
Hank Lewis, MA, CFRM
Hank Lewis, MA, CFRM’s posts
The Non-Profit Advisory Board/Committee
In the nonprofit sector there are two types of “Advisory” groups: those that advise, and…
Financing & Loans
The Implementation Phase of the Planning Study
Considering the two major objectives in conducting the interviews, determining how/if a program/project/activity should be…
Financing & Loans
The Planning Study: (Part #2 of 3 – Preparation)
The first step in the planning study process is determining what it is that you…
Financing & Loans
The Planning Study: (Part #1 of 3 — Almost Always The First Step)
Want to create a Major Gifts Program, a Bequest Program, a Special Event, a Recognition…
Financing & Loans
We’re Not In Oz, Dorothy: Why Your Donors Give
This piece was motivated by Renata Rafferty’s Posting of June 8: see “The-Politically-Incorrect-Guide-To-Donors” Renata’s method…
Financing & Loans
Another Reason Why I Object To Feasibility Studies (Part #2 of 2)
For decades, the old-style capital campaign firms have insisted that all feasibility studies interviews must…
Financing & Loans
Another Reason Why I Object To Feasibility Studies (Part #1 of 2)
When I started my career in fundraising, in the late ‘70s, my first employer was…
Financing & Loans
The Feasibility Study is Obsolete
For the last 50-60 years, a Feasibility Study has been “required” before planning and/or implementing…
Financing & Loans
Who Is A Major Gift Prospect ??
When the question of major gift fundraising first arises, many unsophisticated board members, volunteers and…
Financing & Loans
What is a Major Gift ??
Many Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs) use the term “Major Gifts” to refer to those that are…
Financing & Loans
Major Gifts – Ensuring The Future
The biggest mistake that many non-profits make is their belief that grants from corporations, foundations…
Financing & Loans
What Is A Mature Organization?
(Adapted from an Article on “Founders Syndrome) Written in 2004) In his blog, “Consulting Skills,”…
Financing & Loans
GRANTS: FREE MONEY – NOT QUITE !! (Part Two)
In case you haven’t yet been there and done that, applying for and accepting a…
Financing & Loans
GRANTS: FREE MONEY – NOT QUITE !! (Part One)
Every day, thousands of non-profit organizations, believing that their financial problems are soon to be…
Financing & Loans
Hank’s Top Ten Fundraising “Musts” 1-5
(Be sure to see “Musts” 6-10 in this blog, too) 5. Please, do not —…