Tag Archives: Volunteer Development

How Do You Raise Money If You Are Not Providing COVID 19-Related Services?

Raise Money If You Are Not Providing COVID 19-Related Services

Are you asking yourself how you can raise funds at a time of pandemic, economic dislocation, and social unrest when your organization’s mission is not related to any of those issues?

Many of our clients have been raising this concern with us in the past few months. Recently, Michael Jaffe facilitated a program for the staff of a national communal organization that recently utilized our executive search services. 

The goal was to get everyone in the room to answer the question:

“How do nonprofits raise money if you are not providing COVID 19-related services?” 

A question so many organizations face. And Mersky, Jaffe & Associates wants to help you answer. (Click here if you would like to talk to one of us about how we can provide a one-hour brainstorming session for your organization.)

What did this nonprofit learn about raising money if you are not providing COVID 19-related services?

  • Whether or not to relate your organization to current issues depends on the donor. 
  • Fundraisers must be sensitive to their donors as well as transparent, passionate, and sincere when making the case and asking for a commitment. 
  • It is critical, now more than ever, to stay in touch with donors by all and any means of communication that the donor employs. Another national organization, has made 30,000 phone calls to its donors since late March. Organizations should reach out to every donor in their data base in a prioritized, systematic way to create a caring community. The purpose of the call can be to check in, say thank you, and ask questions to engage donors.
  • Stewardship is essential. Everyone, including staff, is dealing with the effects of COVID 19 and the social unrest, but it is critical that staff relate to donors.
  • Virtual solicitations work. Utilize Zoom to engage donors. It is the best option now. Giving is as emotional as it is financial. People are giving, so do not be reluctant to solicit donors now.
  • Many people are looking at their estate plans. Now is a good time to focus on planned giving efforts.
  • Look at donors who give through Donor Advised Funds. They still have money to give away since it has already been set aside for this exact purpose.

Your organization has an important message.  Now is not the time to pull back on fundraising.  If you want to hold a motivating, inspiring program for your staff and/or volunteer leadership, email me or click here to set an appointment to talk about what Mersky, Jaffe & Associates can do for you and your mission.

Do You Trust Your Interviewer?

Executive Recruiter Listening imageExecutive recruiting is like many other specialties. The inexperienced think it is mostly a trade-off of time vs. money. The experienced have spent many years understanding the nuances.  While we at MJA fall into the latter category, we understand that many organizations like to start the process on their own.  And, as our jobs are to help past, current and future clients in all endeavors, we want to offer guidelines for choosing an interviewer.

Today’s topic is, as the title says – do you trust your interviewer to:

  • ask the right questions?
    • Does the interviewer understand how to frame questions in a way that will not taint the responses?  Is there an understanding of which questions are and are not legal to ask?  Does he/she know how to get the candidate to say what you want to know vs. what they want to tell you?
  • hear the answers?
    • Can the interviewer truly listen?  And, differentiate between what the person said and what the person meant?  Take the necessary notes while retaining focus?  And understanding the importance of asking the question and then keeping quiet? While keeping a conversation flowing at the same time being the less dominant speaker?
  • know how to ensure that the candidate has not screened you out yet?
    • How to ask if you are not offering enough money, the location is undesirable, the facility is not what they are used to, etc?
  • look at the candidate and determine whether it should be a 1 on 1, 2 on 1 or 5 on 1 interview?
  • manage the pace of the interviews so that everything can be achieved in the allotted time?
  • sell the candidate on the organization?
    • Interviewing is a two-way conversation in which you are selling and buying at the same time.  Can the interviewer quickly read the candidate and determine what would cause the candidate to truly want the job?

Yes, it is a lot to ask of one inexperienced person.   But if you are set on going through the interview process without us, this will help you consider who the best person for the interviewer position is.  And if, at any point, you are looking for advice, please feel free to contact us by clicking here.