In the first part of this series, we took a look at ways that the Barack Obama campaign for President was able to launch the most ambitious political fundraising campaign in history. We then illustrated how small non-profits can emulate these strategies in their own particular environments. In this segment, I’d like to write about […]

Like a huge percentage of this country, I too got caught up in the news surrounding our recent presidential election. I was amazed by the size and the scope of the two campaigns and the way each chose to communicate to the American public. I have done my best to take note of strategies that […]

I recently read a great donation request letter from Cristo Rey High School.  They are a Catholic, college prep school that provides a quality education for students from low income families.   Some of these kids may otherwise not finish high school and have an altogether different life, if it were not for this opportunity. Now […]

“You can’t teach a cat to bark!” That was the comment from one of the board members. It was a tough meeting. The volunteer board members were discussing with their executive director an important paid staff member who wasn’t meeting the job expectation. They had sent him to training workshops, mentored him, coached him, re-written […]

Last night, I tuned in to watch the second Presidential debate between Barack Obama and John McCain. Before the event got underway, the Newschannel I was watching cut away to a live shot of the White House. It was late enough where the sun had gone down, and the executive mansion was all lit up. […]

Like a fine wine, the idea of actually hosting a fundraiser needed to age for a bit.  Initially, I had visions of hosting a gala event, replete with a full bar, servers, a band, table linens, and a little black dress. But a few weeks into the aging process, after making a few calls, asking […]

Here is a great program for public or school libraries.  You can honor your favorite, hard working librarian for the “I Love My Librarian Award.”  The Carnegie Corporation of New York and the New York Times created the award to recognize the accomplishments of librarians in public, school, college, community college and university libraries for […]