Financing & Loans

1. Using Statistics Accurately/Effectively in Your Proposals by Jayme Sokolow Statistics can be used or abused, especially in grant proposals. However, there are steps you can take to use numbers accurately, and in ways that promote understanding. 2. Events In Private Homes: Part I Education? Cultivation? Solicitation? Stewardship? by Hank Lewis An Executive Director wrote that, “A donor has offered his home for a private event ... [but that she (the ED) has] always shied away from these b/c no one can agree what the purpose/format should be....”

1. Introduction To Planned Giving – Part One by John Elbare If you have been involved in fundraising for any length of time, you have heard about planned giving, which, at first glance, may seem highly technical and downright geeky. You may have heard others say things like “We’re not ready for planned giving,” or …

#1. Direct Mail, Direct Response: An Introduction by Jonathan Howard In the internet age, with a host of easy, cheap and fast electronic media from which to choose, why do major national charities still spend the time and money to request charitable donations by mail? #2. Proposed Changes to CFC Regulations Update: How You Can Help Save the Combined Federal Campaign – Part I by Bill Huddleston The summer was... when the outcry from the non-profit community resulted in the July Congressional hearing about the impact of the regulations as proposed by OPM.

#1 Tracking The Progress Of A Fundraising Program – Part II Creation of an Activities Calendar by Tony Poderis As previously noted, the only way to assess the progress of any fundraising process is when that process (the plan) has every step and component listed on a timeline ... one that was agreed to by everyone before starting the process. #2 Cost-per-dollar Raised: Evaluating The Performance of a New Development Officer by Hank Lewis A question was raised (in a listserve) about evaluating the performance of a development officer who was hired within the last year,

#1 The Ethics of Percentage-Based Compensation for Grant Writers – Part I by Lynn deLearie. Not too long ago, I met with a prospective client to discuss helping them start a grant program for their organization. As we were concluding the meeting, the question of compensation came up, and I was asked if I would accept a percentage of grant income that I raised. #2 Tracking The Progress Of A Fundraising Program - Part I by Tony Poderis I thought that I had heard all there was ever to hear from beleaguered development professionals whose bosses are constantly on them for “not bringing in enough money.”

#1 Sometimes Even The Best Special Events Caterer Screws Up by Natalie Lewis We had an elegant reception event in a beautiful facility ... with a glass wall facing the river; with up-lights illuminating and framing that scene, and we used a lot of interior blue lighting to warm up the room. #2 Are You Thinking About Enrolling in the CFC for the 2014 Campaign? by Bill Huddleston Before enrolling, you should consider why workplace giving really works. That question, or some variation of it is one that I am often asked, and I always give two answers:

#1 In the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), There Are Three Types of “Charities” – Where Do You Fit In? by Bill Huddleston There are three categories (National, International, and Local), with federations for all three types. #2 Can The Department of Defense Help Make You a Better Grant Writer? by Jayme Sokolow There is a writing technique used in the U.S. military that can help you improve your proposal prose. The technique is called Bottom Line Up Front