Before I get ahead of myself, I wanted to note how excited I am to be sharing this blog with you from our brand new website! Be sure to take a browse and check out our new resources and content.

I was struck this past Christmas by something my 13-year-old son did.

I’ve talked to a lot of organizations lately that seem to be frightened by the current environment and chasing a spiral down the drain.

 “Wow, I’ve been to a bunch of talks and workshops on middle donors but this is the first one that the presenter actually knew what he was talking about.”

That’s feedback we got after our Toronto Middle Donor workshop on May 11. And I’m not even sure how to respond.

Last month, I started banging the drum about Middle Donors, writing about the benefits of extending your fundraising relationship with this undervalued group. Well, this month I’m still bangin’ away. After more than a decade of focusing on this high-value segment, I’ve got lots to say!

Back in 1989, Stephen R. Covey published his best-seller The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, and for some time after that everything in business was about time management.

I’m fresh out of the AFP (Association of Fundraising Professionals) Congress in Toronto and my biggest takeaway is ketchup.

Non-profit organizations tend to put donors into three “buckets” — Mass, Middle, and Major. Are you paying equal attention to all three?

There’s no doubt — we’re living in a tough fundraising environment.