A community of consultants helping museums and cultural nonprofits.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Loading
Qm² Insights: Fundraising
Qm² works with development directors, executive directors and board development committees to design and implement comprehensive, donor-centered, integrated development programs. We assess current fundraising activities and outline steps to create a development system and process that matches the donor’s needs and interests to the needs of the organization, and gives every staff and board member a role to play.
by Anita Durel
Published in Hand to Hand, the Journal of the Association of Children's Museums, Summer 2009
With staff and resources cut, there simply is not enough time to accomplish everything you used to do. So maybe this is the best time to examine priorities and recognize that this is a great time to focus on one in particular: rallying the board to ask for money. It may seem counterintuitive, but hard economic times present a unique opportunity to engage museum trustees in fundraising.
by Anita Durel
Before a nonprofit organization can engage in solicitation, it needs both insights and solid information about the prospective donor. Typically this information is gathered overtime through conversations and other research including what can be learned on the internet or through the media. This takes place as the organization educates the prospect about its work. This cultivation stage is where relationships are forged, and it is a vital part of the development cycle. Read more.
by Anita Durel
Knowing who to ask may be one of the most difficult aspects of fundraising. This prospect identification phase is the first step in the development process. Although most people shy away from asking an individual for a gift, the solicitation or the “Ask” is just one small step in the larger development process. Before you ask for a contribution a significant amount of work is involved. Read more.
By Anita Durel
In drafting a Case for Support the issues your institution confronts and the goals you intend to achieve are conveyed in powerful statements that helps the public understand the importance and value of the work and why your nonprofit should continue to exist. Read more.
By Anita Durel
Whether organizing your annual fund drive or a comprehensive campaign, carefully explaining what you do, why you do it, your vision and plans, the benefits of your work, and how the community can participate are basic and necessary facts to identify. Read more.
By Anita Durel
This checklist is designed to help those assigned to the task of drafting a Case for Support. It covers the essential elements of the Case and highlights questions that will help uncover the passion behind the Mission. Read more.
By Anita Durel
Those who contributed to the development of the Case have been on an exploratory journey that has uncovered the passion behind your mission. Their work should produce a summary that is capable of influencing and attracting others to support your organization and your work. The Case can be of benefit internally as well as externally as the following uses for the Case demonstrate. Read more.
Chronicle of Philanthropy, April 2006
This article from the Chronical of Philanthropy features our use of organizational Life Cycle analyses to help nonprofit leaders identify the changes that need to be made in order to advance their organizatioins successfully. Download article.
by Anita Durel and John Durel
Authenticity is the key to a positive and powerful public presence. This briefing offers ideas for improving the way you are perceived by others. These techniques and tactics will be ineffective if you are pretending to be something you are not. You will be uncomfortable, and others will notice, if you behave in a way that is not sincere and genuine. Read more.
by John Durel
Why do private businesses support nonprofit organizations? What’s in it for the business? Read more.
by Anita Nowery Durel
Membership should be tied closely to Development so that members are cultivated and asked to become donors. Here are guidelines for setting up an effective membership program. Read more.
Click here to learn about our Roundtables for Executives.
Throughout their six month effort, the Qm2 team was competent, thorough, and clear in their understanding of the issues and needs of their client. The resulting work has defined the future development of this nationally significant property.
--Andrea Mones, Regional Historic Preservation Officer, GSA
Donor Wall, Children's Museum of
Portsmouth, Va.
