Want to know what helped me grow in wisdom as a decision-maker about my own personal and business finances? It’s a simple trick that provides incredible objectivity…Want it?

Here it is...👇🏻

Looking at decisions through the percentages lens vs. the dollars lens?

Examples of the two lens…

Last month I spoke to four nonprofit leaders who talked about their desperation to raise salaries to retain key employees and attract new ones.

Of course we all support this. So, what’s the problem?

Warning! What’s the cost of not creating a budget every year that reflects what you REALLY need?

The other day I saw a post on LinkedIn that read something like...“A fancy pitch deck doesn't get major donors to give more money.”  

Well, my client who just landed a $750K Gen-Ops gift would somewhat disagree with you. 

Why? 

Because in the solicitation meeting, the donor said “that’s the best deck I’ve ever had presented to me.”

I’ve gotten the same question three times in the last two weeks. And each person asking it had almost this whispering tone while asking for permission.

That question?

Do we have to host a Gala? My answer to that question…

I know for many of you, the start of your fiscal year is right around the corner! Happy New Year to you (and a bit of advice)…

If your fundraising team’s annual plan mentions “donor fatigue” as a potential obstacle for them not reaching or exceeding their annual goals…

You have a skillset issue. Not a donor issue.

A nonprofit CEO came to inquire on the timing of re-hiring a Development Director role they’ve struggled to keep filled. My advice?

Wait.

Why? They aren’t ready.

Do they need more money? Yes.

But, for the position to stick this time around, they need to shore up some core areas that are blocking healthy revenue generation, and frankly, sabotaging the success of the person in that position. 

In February I was honored to be a guest on a webinar hosted by The Chronicle of Philanthropy where we discussed how nonprofits can shift project-based funding from institutions into flexible general-operating support.

I knew I had a great case study to share. If you've followed me for any time, you know that's my jam. AND, I was excited to be on the panel with the Ford Foundation to hear their point of view as well.

Here's the highlight of my client case study I shared and what we did to nearly 4X a gift AND shift it to gen-ops . . .

I mentioned last month that I finally read Grant Cardone’s The 10X Rule. I love (and agree with) his comments about people not setting their goals and targets high enough.

So, I’ll let you guess which one of my clients has grown the most in the last three years . . .

You guessed it.

The one that came to me with a 10X vision.

Too many people ask…how can I get more money from major donors?

Let’s flip that and ask the opposite question…

Why do most organizations stay small and never reach financial sustainability?

You don’t need to buy a wealth screening software for your staff to be able to FIND major donors. 

But you DO need to start doing the things that ATTRACT major donors to self-identify themselves. 

Here are 5 things my clients do to 2X-5X their unrestricted charitable (gen-ops) dollars . . .

Can I be blunt?

90% of RAISING to budget every year is about SPENDING money on the right things.

Already have hives?

If you’re NOT consistently spending on the resources you need to reach or exceed your budget every year, it’s likely you’re NOT growing at the pace you’d like.