News/Blog

This past Wednesday, I had lunch with two colleagues whom I’ve each known for more than 20 years.  We get together once or twice a year to talk about everything and nothing (yes, all three of us are Seinfeld fans).  Sometimes, we forget that we haven’t met up recently.  After all, we have jobs and families and we just get busy.  This year, we ran into one another at Fundraising Day, which, by the way, had the highest attendance since the pre-Great Recession year of 2008.  So, we promised each other that we would set a date and meet.  And so we did.

“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.”

- Albert Schweitzer

“Money, Power and Race: The Lived Experience of Fundraisers of Color” brings systemic issues to light through narratives; provides recommendations to improve equity at nonprofits

As a member since July 2016, I learned that one of the ways to grow and quickly make a difference within AFP is to volunteer hands-on with my fundraising peers. Thanks to the support of fellow members, you make an impact by speaking up for diversity and inclusiveness within the profession, promoting the good work of our peers, as well as advocating for fundraisers working in smaller nonprofits.

This week’s edition of New York City Fundraising Matters features a great interview my friend Pinky Vincent conducted about the chapter’s mentorship program.  It was thought provoking not least because the interviewed featured another friend, my colleague Regina Cialone, but because it allowed me to ruminate a bit on my own mentors.

On Friday, June 14^th you’ll have the chance to gather with nearly 2,000 of your fellow fundraising professionals at the largest philanthropy conference in New York. This convening is a great day of learning, idea sharing, and fellowship amongst peers. In order to maximize the time I have to learn and network with other participants, I always try to take a few minutes to prepare for my participation in conferences. Here are the steps I follow to get the most of a day-long learning experience.

It’s that time of year again when I have mixed emotions.  On the one hand, I look forward to spring cleaning and the cathartic ritual of throwing out my old unwanted stuff. But, conversely, being a sentimentalist, I sometimes dread having to throw out my old unwanted stuff.  In the end, it’s all about my need to have my house in order.  In fact, you may be using something like the KonMari method to clean and reorganize your home, but what are you doing to improve your workspace?

Technology has provided an ever-increasing number of tools for nonprofits to expand awareness and raise funds. Through combining traditional methods with website giving, email solicitations, and social media, your organization can optimize its ability to acquire new donors, obtain additional information on existing donors, and promote the impact of its mission. Check out the five strategies listed below for improving your organization’s online fundraising and communications.

On April 30^th AFP NYC Co-Chair Vikki Jones and members of the Government Relations committee, myself and AFP chapter members of Western, Finger Lakes, Hudson-Mohawk, and Mid- Hudson joined us in Albany to meet with our respective Senators, Assembly members and representatives. 

In order to govern effectively nonprofit Boards must work collaboratively with development staff and major donors. The most challenging task of CEO’s and fundraising leadership is motivating and supporting their Board in its most important responsibilities: finance, planning for growth, acting as advocates, dealing with crisis and change, evaluating its performance, and ensuring the nonprofit has the resources to fulfill its mission. Review the following strategies and ideas for transforming your board into a dynamic leadership team.