One of the most terrifying terms in development is the “cold call”. How do you take the cold out of this crucial step in donor relationships? There can be no relationship or support for your cause without making the discovery call. Today Bryan breaks down the steps to master this skill and get more appointments.

Bryan and Greg bring three more reasons every parish needs development. Learn what benefits come by taking a more professional development approach to raising funds and building relationships in your own parish.

Are parishes too comfortable with the status quo of the weekend collection supporting the parish? Will aging congregations face challenges relying solely on this method of giving? Yes!!Bryan and Greg make the case for why every parish needs development. This is part one of a two part series.

You get in front of a benefactor and ask for a gift, and they say yes! But, your the gift is not “closed” at that point. When you get back to the office, do you know when and how the benefactor intends to make their gift? These are just examples of information a good development officer needs to record. Greg and Bryan discuss the 5 key details you must get for a gift to truly be valid and closed.

How do you best direct your time to bring value to your organization? Any given day, there are numerous ways a fundraiser can spend their time. Greg explains how your activities fall into one of two categories: income or expense. The income producing tasks are short and simple. The expense producing tasks are many and should be exercised judiciously. Find out whether the tasks you do are making or spending money for your non-profit.

You should always tell the truth. For as the saying goes, “the truth will set you free.” In this episode, Greg sheds light on why that donor isn’t getting back to you with the answer you want. Simply put: you aren’t asking right question. Don’t beat around the bush with donors. Ask the question you want answered.

In the pursuit for building a sustainable funding model for your non-profit, you can’t forget the mid-tier support. Bryan lists 3 reasons mid-tier support should be valued more highly by every fundraiser.

What makes a great development professional? There are some key qualities and traits which make all the difference. It just so happens women tend to be stronger than men in these areas. That’s right! We said it! Listen in as Greg discusses what he believes makes women great in the field of development.

Working for a non-profit, there will inevitably come a time when you will apply for a grant. But a questions needs to be answered: are they worth the effort? Will the amount of time and energy to secure the grant be worth the donation received? Find out what factors you should be looking for to determine if a grant is right for you organization. Greg and Bryan discuss: are grants worth it?

What stops you as a fundraiser from making more calls? Most people would agree that if you make more calls you increase your odds of meeting more people and raising more money. And yet, many individuals don’t make nearly enough calls to have success. Why? Call reluctance is one of the biggest obstacles fundraisers and fundraising volunteers face. Greg and Bryan provide help to get out of the rut and overcome this fear.