Thirty-two back doors to success

"Stick your foot in the door until it bleeds." British fundraiser Tony Elischer's maxim for corporate fundraising may not paint a welcoming picture, but it does share what is often the most effective strategy for success in this increasingly competitive...

Getting started with bequest-based programs

For many development professionals new to it, planned giving can be a bewildering mix of jargon, tax laws and complex financial relationships. It is, however, often simpler than it appears. First of all, in even a mature program, at least...

Many dimensions to marketing planned giving programs

"In most charities, resources invested in prospecting for planned giving donors is wasted." Speaking as part of a panel to the Toronto Chapter of the Canadian Association of Gift Planners, John Hochstadt, until recently Director of Planned Giving & Major...

Really mean it when you say thanks and spell my name right!

The challenge of a recognition program is to be tactful and proceed with great care. According to Dr. Edward H. Pearce, Associate Director, Department of Development, Queen's University, "It is just good manners to say "Thank you" in an appropriate...

Venture capitalists and entrepreneurs become venture philanthropists

Abstract Within the context of social entrepreneurialism, non-traditional charitable sources of revenue may be categorized as follows: Corporate Strategic Giving with funding and resources seen as an investment to achieve corporate business aims (cause-related marketing, co-branding and sponsorship). Venture Philanthropy,...

Strip Bonds: An attractive new vehicle for fundraisers

Most charities live with two basic types of fundraising: a current ongoing campaign to satisfy this year's operating requirements, and (hopefully) an endowment and gift planning program for future needs. Speaking to a recent meeting of the Greater Toronto Chapter...

Charitable remainder trusts offer attractive benefits to the right donor

As presently practiced by such charities as the University of Toronto, Mount Sinai Hospital Foundation, and the United Church of Canada, the charitable remainder trust is a deceptively simple and relatively new financial instrument which may be more complex than...

Proposals that appeal or appall

Proposals that appeal will speak to the real needs of the requesting organization and the interests of the potential funder, and will be based on a complete review of the funder's printed and published materials, if any. They should also...

Strategic planning builds teamwork, consensus, framework for managing change

Virtually every area of professional development - the philanthropic environment, communications, fundraising and staff development - involves the use of strategic planning, and engaging in proper planning offers a number of benefits. Participants at a recent Fund Raising Congress session...

Making more money from mail

This article was originally published in Canadian FundRaiser Here are 12 ways you can make more money from direct mail. Many organizations have put these money-making methods to work successfully. While not every suggestion will work for your organization, at...