Category Archives for FRM Main Category


On Second Thought: Making the Case for Development

To some of our colleagues, development professionals must seem like a very demanding bunch. We always want or need something: new software, more staff, more volunteers, or a more visible office space closer to the CEO.  And we’re always pushing our way onto the board agenda to present and discuss some urgent matter related to […]

The Proactive Study Interview

A pre-campaign planning study provides an opportunity for your organization to have a meaningful face-to-face exchange with affluent and influential people, through an experienced fundraising consultant. You will not only present your agenda, but learn about theirs— their values, preferences, priorities, and proclivities. The planning study is based on a standard questionnaire, so it looks […]

"I Know It's Feasible…"

We talk to a lot of development professionals about their plans for fundraising campaigns and sometimes hear them say, “I know it’s feasible, so we don’t need to do a study!” These individuals are exactly those whose organizations stand to gain the most from conducting an in-depth pre-campaign planning study. When properly conducted, a campaign […]

Ten Sequential Steps to a Successful Feasibility Study

If you anticipate conducting a pre-campaign planning study (or feasibility study), be sure to allow sufficient time for fundraising counsel to plan and lead your organization through an inclusive process. Counsel will need to prepare for and conduct the study interviews, then carefully analyze the data, and prepare and present the final report with insightful […]

Goal Getters: Associated Charities of Ashland County

When Associated Charities’ leaders first began thinking about raising funds to build a new facility, they faced a number of challenges. Although they had been providing short-term emergency financial assistance and food to Ashland County (Ohio) residents for over 100 years, many people in the community were not familiar with the full scope of services […]

Major Gifts Solicitation

Converting Interest and Involvement to Investment The moment will arrive when it is most advantageous to solicit a major gift. The success of the entire development process depends on your ability to recognize that moment and direct staff and volunteers to act upon it wisely. The “Four Ws” of Major Gift Solicitation Who should ask […]

On Second Thought: Move Toward the Next Major Gift Through Stewardship

We owe it to our donors to use their gifts responsibly, in accordance with their wishes. Good stewardship is in our own interest as development professionals. Major donors, in particular, are much more willing to continue their support when they’re given lots of reasons to feel good about their last gift. Making our donors feel […]

Major Gift Metrics: Winning the Numbers Game

Strategies for Success Action is fundamental to fundraising success, but it is managing the right actions that can turn a mediocre effort into a record-breaking performance. This is the factor driving the growth of planning for a major gift metrics program. More than just a buzzword, metrics has been pushed to the front of the […]

Time to Check the Health of Your Major Gifts Program

Planning for Major Gifts The new calendar year arrived once again with the anticipation of growth in our fundraising results and new levels of accomplishment for our organizations. For most development professionals the New Year also begins with zero dollars raised toward our annual goals. The best way to achieve these goals and to fund […]

The Essential Elements of Winning Campaigns

Looking back over our firm’s collective experience, it is obvious that changes in the development field have affected how the philanthropic marketplace functions and how capital campaigns are conducted. The essential elements of successful campaigns, however, are not very different from those which have applied for decades. This is the question we explore in “The […]