Last week I wrote a piece titled, “A New Year – A New Campaign Strategy.” It spoke to those whose campaigns have stalled for any number of reasons. But, even if you are in the midst of a capital or endowment campaign that is continuing to move along at a decent pace, you know that there … [Read more...]
A New Year – A New Campaign Strategy
January 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Sometimes, after the quiet phase is over and the initial excitement of a new campaign has passed, organizations realize their campaign is no longer moving forward. It happens slowly, and then, all of a sudden you realize there has not been a new gift in more than a month, fewer people are showing … [Read more...]
The Timing of a Capital Campaign
July 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Are you considering starting a capital campaign? If so, then you should understand that there is an, often, underestimated aspect of any campaign – time. While timing may seem as if it is a minor aspect of a campaign that one person can quickly determine on a spreadsheet, the truth is that unless … [Read more...]
Are You Ready For A Capital Campaign?
July 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Your Community Do you know if you have the full support of your community of stakeholders? Before you focus on the money required from the community, you need to consider whether you have a collection of people who are willing to do the work to raise the millions of dollars that might be required. … [Read more...]
What I Did Before Writing This Article
December 9, 2010 By Leave a Comment
This morning, I made two phone calls, spent forty-five minutes on email, changed the laundry (I do work at home), and drank 1½ cups of coffee. Why am I telling you this? And more importantly, why do you care? Because one of the biggest complaints Mersky, Jaffe & Associates hears from … [Read more...]
Fundraising in the Current Economic Climate – Is Your Glass Half Empty or Half Full?
March 14, 2010 By Leave a Comment
As I travel around the country—and as individuals from around the country come to campus—it has become increasingly clear that, as far as fundraising and development is concerned, we live in interesting times. About a year ago, the Dow Jones Industrial Average reached bottom. Fifteen months … [Read more...]
Robbing Peter to Pay Paul?
March 5, 2007 By
At Congregation B’nai Israel, in Millburn, New Jersey, the blueprints for the renovation to materially improve and expand their historic building seemed to fulfill the congregation’s every need and want. Everyone agreed that the restoration was an essential part of answering the demands of the … [Read more...]
Developing A Strategic Solicitation Strategy
August 7, 2006 By
You know that you are about to embark on a campaign that will change the way people view your organization. And, when you are successful, it will enable you and your agency to do things that advance your mission and achieve your vision. But, do you have an individualized plan for each … [Read more...]
Top Ten Reasons Why Campaigns Succeed
August 1, 2006 By
10. Your campaign has a definite timetable: Mini-goals are crucial to keeping the campaign running according to schedule. If you set a goal such as “Raise $500,000 in the first two months,” you will be able to stick to your schedule much more easily than if you set only a goal such as “Raise … [Read more...]
Has Your Campaign Stalled?
September 5, 2005 By
Museum of Jewish Heritage The monumental vision of a Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York City was inspiring, but the efforts to realize it had stalled. Yearning to keep moving forward, the four co-chairmen of the Board and the executive director recognized that they needed help. It had been … [Read more...]