by Eddie Thompson | Oct 23, 2023 | Development Management, Donor Communications, Professional Development
As a rookie fundraiser at a small liberal arts college, Si Seymour’s 1966 book, Design for Fundraising, had an extraordinary impact on me, so much so that it has been the primary inspiration throughout my 45-year career. Every page of Seymour’s little book resonated...
by Eddie Thompson | Sep 25, 2023 | Development Management, Donor Communications, Professional Development
Almost all worthwhile advice about fundraising can be traced back to one ground-breaking publication: Harold (Si) Seymour’s Designs for Fundraising: Principles, Patterns, and Techniques. First published in 1966, this book continues to be regarded as the essential...
by Eddie Thompson | Aug 24, 2023 | Development Management
A donor’s primary giving motivation can reveal the depth and strength of their relationship with the institution. In thousands of conversations about charitable estate planning, long-term values, and inheritance priorities, I’ve learned a few things about WHY people...
by Eddie Thompson | Jul 19, 2023 | Development Management, Professional Development
Focusing on person-to-person donor relations is essential for long-term, sustainable fund development. However, many nonprofits are understaffed or lack basic infrastructure upgrades. Consequently, experienced fundraising professionals are often tasked with a host of...
by Eddie Thompson | Jun 5, 2023 | Development Management, Donor Communications
Whenever I am helping donors plan their estates and discussing impactful events in their lives, I propose the idea of memorial gifts, which many people have never considered. Memorial gifts are a way for donors to benefit nonprofits while also honoring the legacies of...
by Eddie Thompson | Oct 13, 2022 | Development Management
The world has changed radically in the last three years, and it’s showing few signs of returning to business-as-usual in the near future. Some of our traditional operating systems may never come back. To list only a few of the unexpected: 1) the economic impact of...
