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.

Welcoming the two new members of our writing team, Jon Howard & John Elbare February 26: Direct Mail, Direct Response: An Introduction You Can Help Save the Combined Federal Campaign – Part I March 5: Introduction to Planned Giving – Part I A Mission (Statement) Impossible March 12: Statistics In Grant Proposals Events In Private Homes: Part I March 19: You Can Help Save the Combined Federal Campaign – Part II How Do You Deal With Grant Deadlines March 26: Events In Private Homes: Part II Building Blocks of Direct Mail April 2: Making Your Nonprofit Conference A Special (Fundraising) Event Events In Private Homes: Part III April 9: How Many Development Staffers Do We Need to Attain Our Fundraising Goals? Introduction to Planned Giving – Part II

#1 We’re All in This (Proposal) Together! by Jayme Sokolow ... there are three important points that organizations should learn. “One, mission matters. Two, the people behind the mission matter. And three, passion for the mission can’t be taken for granted. #2 The Ethics of Percentage-Based Compensation for Grant Writers – Part II by Lynn deLearie So, it is very clear that fundraising professional ethics do not allow percentage-based compensation, but WHY not? Why is this so strongly discouraged?

#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.”