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 »

Excitement Builds at North Georgia College and State University

March 4th, 2011

A meeting like this is a lot of fun for me.  What you see here is an idea we’ve had in behalf of our client now coming to life on their campus, for their university president. This image signifies an electrifying moment for our client, too.  It’s a time when planning comes to an end; when it is replaced by the reality that there soon will be an actual “destination” for honoring philanthropy on campus, right here. Continue reading »

A Call for Truly Successful Online Donor Recognition

October 11th, 2010

Fundraising organizations are actively seeking effective means for communicating with donors through online tools. More importantly, donors expect the most efficient and timely means of communication.  Web-based technologies have the potential to create a new paradigm where donors co-create an engaging online experience that strengthens existing donor relationships and facilitates greater giving. Continue reading »

Emerging Trends in Donor Relations

January 13th, 2010

This new decade heralds significant changes for Donor Relations and its influence on fundraising success.  We see that these emerging trends share a common theme:  to build better relationships with donors as a means of fostering greater giving.  As is the case with all relationships in our current crowded, information-saturated world, the emphasis will be on the quality, not the quantity, of donor interactions.
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Southeast Donor Relations Professionals Mini-Conference / Charlotte, NC

July 31st, 2009

Today a dedicated group of donor relations professionals met at Davidson College to consider the implications of the current economic challenges on donor stewardship.  Most years, the Southeast Donor Relations Conference (SEDRC), a regional subgroup of the Association of Donor Relations Professionals (ADRP), gathers for a three-day conference with 50 or more attendees.  This year’s full conference was canceled because so many attendees’ budgets have been slashed.  During the one day mini-session, presentations and conversation carried a consistent theme:  the need for improved coordination and communication. Continue reading »