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Illustration of two smiling nonprofit executives on stage holding a large $165 million donation check with camera flashes and confetti, while a fundraiser sits alone in the foreground with his back to the camera, with an institutional coffee mug and expense receipt note on a nearby table.

Nonprofit Leadership

You Closed the Gift. They Canceled You Out.

A fundraiser closed a $165 million gift—and got no credit. The president took the spotlight, while the closer was quietly sidelined. This article explores the nonprofit sector’s discomfort with recognizing individual achievement, often justified as ethical restraint. It argues that this culture of erasure and reluctance to reward success may be fueling burnout and high turnover. The piece closes with a bold message: if you want transformational gifts, start acknowledging the people who actually secure them.

Viken Mikaelian May 24, 2025 No Comments

An image of a scale showing one employee can be more valuable than 3 others combined.

Career Advancement

14 Habits That Make You A More Valuable Employee

Show initiative and meet deadlines to become a more valuable employee. cultivate habits like effective communication, punctuality, and adaptability to enhance your value.

Viken Mikaelian May 22, 2025 No Comments

An image of a woman who has lost her job and is trying to cope with the loss.

Job Loss

Coping with Job Loss

Coping with a job loss is challenging. It involves dealing with financial concerns, handling emotional impact and actively seeking a new job.

Viken Mikaelian May 20, 2025 No Comments

Lumpy mail example – sealed padded ticker than usual envelope used in direct mail fundraising to attract donor attention

Marketing

How to Use “Lumpy Mail” to Get a New Donor’s Attention

“Lumpy mail” is a clever direct mail fundraising tactic that grabs attention with a three-dimensional object inside the envelope—like a seed packet or mini flashlight. It sparks curiosity, makes your nonprofit memorable, and opens the door for meaningful donor outreach. When paired with a compelling story and timely follow-up, lumpy mail transforms cold prospects into warm leads and can significantly boost your donor acquisition results.

Joe Garecht May 13, 2025 No Comments

Major gift officers and nonprofit leaders networking and building donor relationships at a professional fundraising event, to illustrate a post about the power of a good elevator pitch.

Uncategorized

Starting Conversations at Networking Events: Creating an Elevator Pitch That Opens Donors’ Wallets

A sharp elevator pitch can turn a fleeting introduction into a lasting donor relationship. Joe Garecht outlines how to craft and deliver a compelling message using a mission hook, tangible impact, and a soft call-to-action. He also emphasizes adapting your tone, avoiding jargon, and following up promptly—perhaps even with a legacy giving resource like LegacyPlanner™—to keep the conversation alive and open the door to deeper giving.

Joe Garecht May 13, 2025 No Comments

Career Issues

Learn to Write an Effective Self-Assessment and Boost Your Career

Writing an effective self-assessment is a valuable skill for career growth. Self-assessments help you to communicate your value for career advancement discussions.

Viken Mikaelian May 12, 2025 No Comments

Leadership

4 Strategies for Overcoming Perfectionism

Perfectionism can hinder efficiency and productivity. Top strategies can reduce the stress and enable you to work more effectively.

Viken Mikaelian May 7, 2025 No Comments

Career Issues

Build a Strong Work Ethic and Get Things Done

“Build a Strong Work Ethic and Get Things Done” emphasizes techniques for setting goals, managing time, and maintaining discipline to achieve success in the workplace.

Viken Mikaelian May 6, 2025 No Comments