Common Criticisms Of Philanthropy And How To Respond To Them

Common Criticisms Of Philanthropy And How To Respond To Them

The purpose of philanthropy is to share some wealth with those who are less fortunate. Amazing things have been done through philanthropic organizations and thousands of lives have been positively impacted because of it. Unfortunately, there are still many common...
Impact Investing: For Your Good and the Greater Good

Impact Investing: For Your Good and the Greater Good

Impact investing may sound like a novel fad these days, but the idea of contributing to social and environmental causes has existed almost as long as the issues themselves. However, impact investing takes philanthropy to a new level by harnessing the power of compound...
Why Businesses Need an Outreach Component

Why Businesses Need an Outreach Component

Whether you’re a small business owner or the CEO of a Fortune 500 company, it’s crucial that you constantly be thinking of creative ways to grow your business within the market. The economy and public opinion change on a dime, and you have to prepare your business to...
How Social Media Helps Nonprofits

How Social Media Helps Nonprofits

It seems like everyone is on Facebook nowadays. Every day, people sign into their social media accounts to learn about the news for the day, what their relatives and friends are up to, and what is trending online. Philanthropic organizations have the ability to reach...
Ways to Make a Positive Change in Your Community in 2018

Ways to Make a Positive Change in Your Community in 2018

  Most of us want to make a difference in our communities. At the start of each year, we take a look at ourselves and consider things we should start doing, vices we should stop doing, and ultimately make a list of resolutions. Unfortunately, this list starts to...
Why Friends Should Never Ask Friends for Donations

Why Friends Should Never Ask Friends for Donations

Back when I was a CDO I invited a generous community member to make a $100,000 gift for his local hospital. When he pushed back from his ravioli entrée and said “yes,” I expected a moment of cheerful celebration. Instead, the donor immediately added these...
Healthcare, Meet Philanthropy

Healthcare, Meet Philanthropy

The rising tide of healthcare costs will soon reach a head. National healthcare expenditures (NHE) totaled around $3 trillion in 2013, and there seems to be no sign of it slowing down. In fact, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) projects health care...
An Awesome “No”

An Awesome “No”

When I first entered the assignment of Chief Development Officer, my philanthropy coach taught me the best methods to ask for a major gift. She had great life experiences, raising millions from donors, and she walked on water when it came to teaching and exercising...
Done Practicing?

Done Practicing?

Doctors practice medicine, Lawyers practice law, Accountants practice finance, and all of us have the opportunity to practice whatever it is that we each do. When working as a hospital CEO one of my thoughtful board members once shared some useful coaching with me. He...
Short on Staff? Here are Some Tools to Help.

Short on Staff? Here are Some Tools to Help.

As with any business venture, being involved in philanthropy may force you to get lean early on. You don’t need to be the head of a major foundation or nonprofit organization, but if philanthropy is a part of your life, it can sometimes be a scramble staying on top of...