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it's all about fundraising leadership

it’s all about leadership

Fundraising Leadership

After 30 years of fundraising consulting you learn a lot from your clients, their leadership and the people they serve.  One of the questions I am often asked by a Board member is, “what makes a campaign successful?”   The answer is fundraising leadership.  It is the one variable that constantly changes within an organization and amongst organizations.

The four critical elements of success are case/vision, fundraising leadership, prospects and a plan.  It is the leaders (board, chief executive) that will cast and drive the vision, will engage with your very best prospects and ensure the right tools are in place for the campaign to succeed.  Although we’ve worked with clients who didn’t have a strong prospect pool or even the right mix of a fundraising staff for a campaign, we did, however, have someone with drive and passion who knew they could succeed.

I remember one campaign in particular we did in Kansas City where a board member put his arm around me and said, “when we hired you we never thought we could raise $5 million, but when we passed $10 million, I was convinced we did the right thing.”   I often think of what he said because it wasn’t the last time I heard something like that.  The President of that organization, however, knew what was needed and put untiring effort into making it a success.  You can’t have a defeatist attitude when you start.  Nothing is ever perfect in starting a campaign but you problem solve your way to the goal.

I love the quote from the former President of my alma mater, Notre Dame.  He had a great vision for Notre Dame, and 30 years after I first worked in their Advancement Office, I see that vision continue to unfold.

What is the vision for your organization in the next 15 to 25 years? How is your fundraising leadership? Are the right people in place in your organization to help bring that vision to reality?

 

“The very essence of leadership is you have to have a vision.

It’s got to be a vision you articulate clearly and forcefully…

You can’t blow an uncertain trumpet.”

–Theodore Hesburgh

 

Written by:  Paul D’Alessandro

Founder and Chairman

 

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