Author: Jason McNeal

“Use the gift as you see fit,” is not the same as, “there is no need to tell me how my gift made a difference.” “I won’t be able to make the event,” is not the same as, “I’m not interested in making a gift.” “As a gift officer, he’s a warm and engaging guy,”…

Here is a simple way to think about the potential advancement outcomes related to our annual planning. First, some definitions: Goals are qualitative statements that support our longer-term aspirations.  The word “goals,” includes the word, “go” – a reminder that “Goals” are direction setting statements, describing the focus we plan to embrace. Objectives, on the…

The next time someone asks you what you do for work, explain your role without using the following 3 words: fundraiser (or fundraising) advancement development Being able to explain what you actually do – in a compelling and winsome way – is far more helpful than sharing your title. . . or leading people to…

As A.I. grows in applicability and opportunities for content creation multiply, there remains a space in which the best advancement professionals can shine.  Here’s how: We can empathize. We can show care. We can over-communicate. We can cooperate. We can give the benefit of the doubt. We can connect. We can smile and laugh. We…

We don’t talk a lot about adding value to our work, to our colleagues, to our programs, or to our organizations. We do talk a good bit about being too busy, about being over-scheduled, and about being rushed. But, if we focused more on adding value – and how to do that more often –…

It can feel productive to jump straight into tactics. A volunteer might ask, “What you want me to do?” A colleague might suggest, “What if we raised our sponsorship amounts for our gala this year?” A boss might opine, “You might think about adding another giving day to the calendar.” Tactics get us moving.  Tactics…

Major gift officers are taught that their role is to guide donors in making gifts that align with their personal passions and values. Experienced gift officers will share stories of helping donors give in ways that are meaningful to them as an exemplar of effective major gifts work. This is what we say about our…

In advancement, the most effective professional plans, implements, and follows-up with a motivation to guide the audience through a meaningful and joyful experience of giving and/or volunteerism. The fairly effective professional plans, implements, and follows-up with a motivation to respond and react to the audience.  Whatever the audience wants dictates their work. The ineffective professional…