Pay Now or Pay Later

July 25th, 2011

Being relatively new to Robin E. Williams Incorporated, I just had my first opportunity to attend a Association of Donor Relations Professionals event, the Southeast Donor Relations Conference. As someone new to donor relations, too, it was a great way to gain further insight into organizations that we counsel. I was very  impressed with the  creative stretching of resources and the willingness to share experience for the benefit of the whole group. Continue reading »

Social Media Demystified – Lynne Wester Does It Again!

July 22nd, 2011

Lynne Wester, the donor relations dynamo behind donorrelationsguru.com, was a hit again at this year′s Southeast Donor Relations Conference in Raleigh. For those of you who don’t (yet) know her, Lynne is a force to be reckoned with and a personality not to be forgotten.  She is a leader among the Association of Donor Relations Professionals’ network of dynamic, forward-thinking “stars”, and a frequent speaker.  This is not the first time I have seen her presentation on social media, yet as always, she was on top of the newest of the new and casual and confident in her mastery of the technology. Continue reading »

Extreme Success: Proactive Donor Recognition Strategy Leads to Greater Giving

June 17th, 2011

Today, fundraisers are enacting “proactive stewardship plans,” visions that are defined by strategic plans fostering long-term, ever-growing relationships and emphasizing programmatic consistency. For years, we have promoted this “think, before you thank” philosophy.  Specifically, we encourage you to thank existing donors with the express purpose of enhancing the relationship you have with them, while forging a greater tradition of giving within your community as a whole. Continue reading »

AAMC Institutional Advancement Group Conference-This Week!

April 11th, 2011

This week, Anne and I will be in Nashville, Tennessee, for a conference we’ve never participated in before: The American Association of Medical Colleges, Group on Institutional Advancement. It’s a relatively small conference and so we look forward to meaningful interface with those finding themselves ensconced, particularly, in a capital campaign. Whether actively engaged in the campaign or involved in feasibility studies for one, if there is a moment not to be missed by fundraisers, it is the “capital campaign moment”. It is actually the most crucial time to think about thanking in new ways . As one assesses all of their administrative and fundraising “systems”, programmatic donor recognition is not to be overlooked. Continue reading »