Financing & Loans

Well… actually you can, if you’re asking your friends and relatives; but, if you ask foundations, corporations, major donors, or the general public, you’d likely be wasting your time and resources. Sometimes, especially with new nonprofits, people don’t realize that the mere existence of an organization is not sufficient justification to ask others for money. …

My previous posting discussed the planning and organizing processes. This time, we will address steps three and four – writing, reviewing and rewriting. Write the first draft quickly • Work from your notes and worksheet. • Write heading and subheadings first and use them as a guide. • Begin with the easiest parts of your …

Some time ago, I got a note from a reader asking, pretty much, that question: My question to you is — I have donated to a small organization, for a year, in my town to help poor children. I have never received an explanation on how the money is used. Should I expect that and …

It’s now spring, which is an interesting time for charities in the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), because this is when the overlap of getting the results from the fall campaign and preparing for this fall’s solicitation period occurs. Even though the CFC solicitation periods occur each fall, the books on one year’s campaign don’t close …

I once was not even remotely considered as a candidate for a fundraising development job with a hospital. I came from another non-profit background, and no matter my credentials, I did not even get an interview. The hospital’s “call for resumes” had an explicit condition that anyone applying for the job, “Must have at least …

Just as grade school friendships don’t usually last forever, neither do relationships between nonprofit organizations and their best foundation funders. Most grantmakers don’t want to provide ongoing operating support; i.e. – they don’t want to be your BFF (Best Funder Forever). Many foundations don’t make grants to the same organization every year. They may allow …

A professional fundraiser and fundraising professional Last week I went off on “professional fundraisers,” and, in passing, referred to Fundraising Professionals. I think I made it clear that I was opposed to the use of the vast majority of those “professional fundraisers” who raise the money for you. And, now, to clarify the differences between …