Resources

Resources & Articles

OANO Webinar: Fundraising Risks

In today's economic climate, defining, responding to, and planning for external fundraising risks are all equally important. Laura MacDonald presented this Webinar to the Ohio Association of Nonprofit Organizations.

Strategic Planning: the Intersection with Fundraising

The relationship between an organization's strategic planning and fundraising initiatives is critical. Laura MacDonald explored this intersection at the June 10, 2008 meeting of the Central Ohio Chapter, Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP).

Building a Fundraising Board

Catherine Fynes, a Senior Counsel with Benefactors Counsel, discussed the ideal attributes of a fundraising board at the April 2008 Fund Development Conference for The Advocate of Not-For-Profit Services for Older Ohioans (AOPHA).

What Are Your Board Demographics?

Also provided to the AOPHA conference, this matrix will help you evaluate what you have and what—and whom—you need on your Board.

Does Size Matter?

Benefactors' Founder and President, Laura MacDonald, facilitated a workshop entitled "Does Size Matter?" at the 2007 American Association of Museums conference in Chicago. Panelists included Nancy Duncan Porter, Ed Pauley, and Linda Hoyer. See their presentation about museum campaigns—small, medium, and large.

How to Cure the Mid-Campaign Blues

Also provided to the AAM conference, these simple steps will assist you in diagnosing the health of your campaign.

Annual, Capital, and Endowment Fundraising

Benefactors Counsel led two workshops—the first hosted by the Ohio Association of Non-Profit Organizations and the second by the Non-Profit Center of Northeast Florida and the Cultural Council of Jacksonville. These workshops focus on annual funds, capital campaigns, and endowment-building.

Building a Better Annual Plan

Capital Campaigns

Building Endowment

Building Creative Capital

This report was written by Laura MacDonald for the Greater Columbus Arts Council. It compares arts and cultural assets in six U.S. cities to those of Columbus, Ohio; incorporates wealth indicators; and examines arts organizations and the foundations that fund them. Please contact us to learn more about the research that forms the foundation of this report.

The Risk of Capital Campaign Fatigue

Diana Newman, one of Benefactors Counsel's Strategic Partners, writes in the August 4, 2005, Chronicle of Philanthropy.

How to Pick a Consultant and Not End Up with a Dog...

Fundraising consultants come in all shapes and sizes, according to Laura MacDonald. Which one fits your needs? Sedate and well-groomed? Specialist or full service? Lean and hungry? Local or global? Miniature or standard size? Finding a consultant or firm that's a prefect fit won't necessarily be easy.

Create a Development Plan

See Laura MacDonald's presentation to the Central Ohio Chapter, Association of Fundraising Professionals called "Creating a Development Plan: By the Numbers."

Raising Funds for Girls' Programs

The national conference of the Ophelia Project addressed significant issues associated with fundraising for girls' programming. Benefactors Counsel was there.

Fundraising Return-On-Investment

How much should organizations expect to spend for each dollar raised through fundraising activities?

Fundraising Correspondence 101

When using written communication with your prospective donors, follow these tips.

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