Lessons in Fundraising for Challenging Times
A large majority of the nonprofit world was not prepared for the cataclysmic economic downturn of 2008. Terms like “underwater endowments” and “individualized stewardship plans” were new concepts for many. In 2008, I was in the middle of a $16 million capital campaign at a college in Western Massachusetts. I learned six key strategies that […]
An Inside Perspective on Economic Development Today
Creative Economic Development Consulting CEO Crystal Morphis and I met about seven years ago when we both worked on the Greenwood Partnership Alliance with Crystal providing the strategic plan, and Convergent coming in to test and fundraise for it. Getting to know this intelligent, strategic professional and truly calling her a partner and friend through […]
The Core of our Business as Capital Campaign Consultants
We take our core values seriously at Convergent. They guide our entire approach to capital campaign fundraising. Loving what we do and putting people first ensure that we listen closely to the needs of our clients. This enables us to be both strategic and creative in our recommendations for helping the nonprofits we serve reach […]
A Story of Cookies and Nonprofit Mission Creep
Girl Scout Cookies and Nonprofit Fundraising For some individuals, January brings resolutions to start doing something good for themselves or to stop doing something bad. For organizations including nonprofits, it may mean a new strategic plan or an updated program of work. If you live in the Greater Atlanta area as I do, January brings […]
Taking Care of You: Signs of Burnout in the Nonprofit World
The new year, for many, represents a fresh start and a time to make resolutions or promises to change unhealthy habits. In the nonprofit arena particularly, I often see people wearing many hats, working long hours, and listening to the needs of others before the needs of their own mind and body. A saying I […]
Your Nonprofit in the New Year: 6 Ways of Being for 2020
Each December we find ourselves reviewing our work from the year to determine what to keep, what to throw away, and what to add in the New Year. In over 30 years of working for and with nonprofits one of my most dreaded and frequently heard statements is, “we’ve always done it this way.” The […]