What Makes a Great Case for Support?

The “great case” is the road map to show a donor what the project is, what good it will do for the school, and how the school and its leaders plan to pay for it. It need not be all that fancy or costly. In fact, most donors I have had the honor of sitting with would prefer we tell it to them clearly, without a lot of distracting glitz. And they most assuredly don’t want us to spend a fortune printing the blessed thing.

How Can We Earn the Opportunity to Make That Big Ask?

Anyone who has read a single article of mine knows that we must start with intentionality. And after intentionality, planning. And then, the benefit of practice. Think of your closest friends. How did you get to know and build trust with them? I suspect that it happened over time, by talking about the things that really matter. From sharing what is most important to you. What you deeply value. Why would it be all that different with a family you are entrusted to engage in your community? Someone from whom you are asking for their support?

The Board of Trustees at The Nirvana School

You have an opportunity to create a culture where people would be clamoring to serve on this Board. In this aspirational but possible, improved version of the school, trustees who were fortunate enough to be selected would serve with passion, generosity, and tirelessness. These trustees would tell anyone and everyone who asked that serving on this school’s board was the hardest and most rewarding work they’d ever done.

How We Can Get Rid of That Terrible Thank You Letter

Recently, I completed an advancement appraisal for a great little school. They are doing most things really well. And it shows – school spirit is high, they have terrific parent engagement, everyone gives, and their fundraising numbers are up. They’re in a good place. Still, I believe the Head was wise to request that I take a closer look…

The Two Things You Must Do Before Summer Vacation

In the coming days or weeks of this fiscal year, there’s so much more to do. But regardless of how busy you are, I hope you will remember the two most important things you really must do.

Welcome to the Nirvana School

Nirvana is my own personal imaginary independent school. At Nirvana,  the advancement program thinks as a team. They do what it takes to support one another and create a high standard and strong work ethic.

The Power of the Feasibility Study

Feasibility studies, if you haven’t experienced one, are designed to help the organization’s decision-makers better understand the strengths, weaknesses, and viability of their project. It is a test of the project’s appeal and whether it’s a good gamble to mount a campaign to fund it.

How Can We Help Boards Overcome Campaign Jitters?

It’s really understandable that non-profit Boards – in particular those at independent schools – may be downright scared of entering into a capital campaign. It’s a pretty high-stakes game, one that gets increasingly public as it rolls out. Any cracks in the system are going to be exposed. Staff issues, poor record keeping, fiefdoms between departments, competing priorities. All will …

What is the Real Cost of Turnover in Our School’s Development Office?

by Barbara Barron | Posted February 16th, 2022 | Subscribe to this newsletter Ever find yourself hearing three or four interconnected thoughts in the same few minutes? Or days? For me, that’s when I know something is afoot. It signals that I need to slow down, think deeply, and then write about that confluence. Here it is. Thing one is …