Real Talk for Real Fundraisers

This pandemic has been a stress test for many non-profits. The biggest threat to the future of a non-profit in times like this is the lack of multiple funding streams for a non-profit. Today, those organizations that rely heavily on events, or corporate and government funding, are struggling. And non-profits that only rely on direct-response to bring in the majority of their revenue are reeling. Why? Because having a diverse array of funding streams, especially those who promote individual donor giving, will help you get through economic downturns. And as you know, we’re in a massive downturn at the moment. In this podcast episode, Richard and Jeff discuss why you need to diversify your funding, how to detect where you’re hurting, and how to create a plan to change it.

Pivoting is good, but it implies that once we get back to normal, we just go back to what we used to do. Well, this pandemic is giving us the opportunity to not only pivot, but to permanently change. Change what? Change the way we evaluate MGOs and major gift programs.  Richard and Jeff believe that the old metrics that most non-profits use to measure major gift officers perpetuates transactional giving. In this episode, Richard and Jeff discuss why we need to let go of the old metrics and suggest a few new ones that actually help major gift officers develop authentic relationships with donors. Isn’t that what major gifts should be all about? Find out what metrics every non-profit should evaluate that actually help you build relationships and go from transactional to transformational.

In this episode, Richard and Jeff are joined by Veritus Group's Director of Planned Giving Services, Bob Shafis. Bob will discuss with them why you should be considering several planned giving strategies now, and how to do it.  They’ll also talk about the $2.2 Trillion Care Act that was recently enacted and how it will affect your non-profit. Join Richard, Jeff and Bob for an informative discussion and get inspired to use planned giving as a tool that will help you now in this crisis and well into the future.

Do you know your organization’s coronavirus story? In other words, if a donor asked you how the virus is affecting your organizations mission would you know what to say? Our team at Veritus is worried that many non-profit leaders and managers haven’t figure out how the virus has really affected your mission. What potential shortfall are you looking at? What added services are you now providing that you weren’t before? What is all this costing you? In today’s podcast, Richard and Jeff specifically speak to non-profit leaders and managers about making sure you know your coronavirus story, what it will cost and urge you to boldly tell donors that story so they can help you weather the crisis. We are hearing things in our sector that disturbs us. “You shouldn’t talk to donors now.” “We need to pull back our fundraising efforts to allow people to deal with the crisis.” No. If you've built solid relationships with donors, you have their trust to reach out to them, find out how they're doing, tell your organization's story in this crisis and be able to ask for the donor’s help. Now is that time. We hope this episode inspires you as you continue to communicate with your donors.

In today’s episode Richard and Jeff give you an update on stories they're hearing from other major gift officers and start answering a number of questions from your colleagues about how you should fundraise, given this crisis we're all in. At the end of the episode we also direct you to our COVID-19 Resource Page and tell you about two new courses we've designed just to help you through this crisis and, because we don’t want cost to be a factor, we’ve decided you can pay whatever you can to take this four week, eight-hour course over the month of April.

You are now fundraising in an unprecedented time in our history. You may be worried, anxious or concerned personally and professionally. All those feelings are normal. Richard and Jeff have recorded a special podcast to help you think about major gift fundraising in a crisis like the one we face today. Both of them have been through multiple national and international crises and tragedy, and they have experience on how non-profits and major gift fundraisers should respond. We hope this special podcast is helpful in your work and gives you comfort that over time, we will get through this tough time… together.

As you know, the most important job for an MGO is to build relationships with their donors. How are you going to do that without administrative support? You can’t. We hear from so many MGOs who say they’re bogged down doing expense reports, handling travel details and entering information into the database. They’re doing so much admin work they end up having very little time to talk to donors! In today’s episode, Richard and Jeff talk about the importance of what an administrative assistant can do to support major gifts and how having one actually brings in more NET revenue for an organization. Yes, you heard that right: more NET REVENUE! Even better, Richard and Jeff interview a major gift officer, Frank Mumford, from the Greater Twin Cities United Way on how he uses an administrative assistant, what specific tasks he has that person do, and how it’s helped him work more efficiently and develop relationships with donors.

You’ll often hear that fundraising professionals are “jumping ship” every 1.8 to 2.3 years in search of something better. Quite frankly, the number one reason people quit their job is because they have a bad manager or leader as a boss. Today Richard and Jeff are joined by fundraising expert, author and writer of the popular blog, “Future Fundraising Now,” Jeff Brooks. Jeff has worked with hundreds of organizations and has some great stories and interesting observations about why we seem to have such bad bosses in the non-profit sector. Best of all, we come up with some great solutions to help you and your boss become better at what they’re doing. It’s far from being a hopeless situation!

Today’s podcast episode is a little different. We’re talking about the spirituality of major gift fundraising. No, we’re not talking about religion, but we ARE talking about how fundraising has a spiritual nature to it – not with a capital “S,” but with a small “s.” Richard and Jeff explore the mystical act that happens at the moment a donor gives, and the organization receives that gift. Find out not only why we think fundraising is a spiritual endeavor, but also how you can continue to keep your heart soft and focused on the need, so you can continue to help your donors find joy and fulfillment in their giving.

In today’s episode, Richard and Jeff talk with Veritus Group's new Director of Planned Giving Services, Robert Shafis. Robert is one of the most knowledgeable, sought-out experts on planned giving in the country. And now he’s working with Veritus to help non-profits everywhere do planned giving right! Specifically, Robert highlights some of the main problems and misconceptions about planned giving, and what can be done to turn those problems into solutions. Then he offers everyone listening the opportunity to receive a free planned giving assessment.