TOOLS OF THE TRADE: Five Lessons Learned on the Fine Art of Asking

by Eddie Thompson | Oct 18, 2021 | Donor Communications, Professional Development

 I’m continuing this month with a few more thoughts about the chosen career of a professional fundraiser—a life of never-ending appeals for donations of time and money for worthy causes. With regard to the fine art of asking, below are some of my favorite “tools of...

THE FINE ART OF ASKING: Developing Your Deck of Go-to Questions

by Eddie Thompson | Sep 20, 2021 | Donor Communications

After several years working as a professional fundraiser, it’s commonly assumed that countless face-to-face solicitations will have enabled fundraisers to overcome any reluctance about asking for money. If, in a moment of honest vulnerability, an aspiring young “rain...

IMPOSSIBLE SHOT: Impact of Unrealistic Fundraising Targets Passed Down from Above

by Eddie Thompson | Aug 16, 2021 | Development Management, Donor Communications

I have a lot of conversations with nonprofit professionals at all levels—from foundation presidents to major gift officers to fundraisers in their first development jobs. Among the most frequent stress points I hear almost every business day are fundraising goals...

INDUSTRY ICONS: A Conversation with Jodi Davis on Donor Relations

by Eddie Thompson | Jul 13, 2021 | Donor Communications

Recently, I had a remarkable conversation with Jodi Davis, Chief Philanthropy Officer for Sutter Health in Sacramento, CA. Jodi is a brilliant, innovative leader who’s not afraid to step back and make honest evaluations about what is working and what could work...

THE PHILANTHROPIC APPROACH: What Nonprofits Accomplish that Government Funding Never Can

by Eddie Thompson | Jun 7, 2021 | Development Management, Professional Development

Last month’s article was about donors’ decisions to invest their social capital (contributions to community and society) by means of estate gifts to charity rather than the government in the form of taxes. It’s not that all government-funded programs are hopelessly...