Pearl Shaw
Memphis, New Orleans
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Mel and Pearl Shaw By MEL AND PEARL SHAW “Fundraising is known for its abundance of failures and few successes.” We can’t recall who said …
FUNdraising Good Times Building family philanthropy Part Two of a two part series
Building fundraising into your family reunion builds a family legacy of giving. It strengthens family ties, and together you – all the generations – demonstrate your love for your fellow man and woman. And that is what “philanthropy” is all about – love of humanity. It’s part of who we are. We demonstrate that love collectively when we come together to give – and when we ask others to join us in giving.
FUNdraising Good Times Now is the time to put your case to work
You’ve got a case for support that you, your leadership team, board members, staff, volunteers, and students, clients or program participants believe in. It is clear, concise, and compelling. Maybe you’ve even transformed it into a short video. It is beautifully printed. Now what?
Can you afford to apply for a large grant?
By Mel and Pearl Shaw As the new year begins many of us have big dreams for our nonprofit organizations and institutions. There’s so much we can accomplish. And some foundations, government agencies, and philanthropists have big dreams too. They bring them to life by funding nonprofits who can actually do the work that creates change, educates students, or cures Alzheimer’s disease, for example. Big dreams and big money magnetically attract each other. “Big” could be $25,000 or $25 million.
FUNdraising Good Times: Don't forget to ask - Memphis Local, Sports, Business & Food News
Guest Columnist Mel and Pearl Shaw Mel and Pearl Shaw, owners of fundraising consulting firm Saad&Shaw, can be reached at 901-522-8727 or saadandshaw.com. They help nonprofits, businesses, universities, and philanthropy tell their story, and build capacity. Events are a tried-and-true fundraising method. They can also be an expensive trap that derails your fundraising if you neglect to make the ask.
FUNdraising: Diversity & Acceptance in Fundraising
Guest Columnist Mel and Pearl Shaw Mel and Pearl Shaw, owners of fundraising consulting firm Saad&Shaw, can be reached at 901-522-8727 or saadandshaw.com. They help nonprofits, businesses, universities, and philanthropy tell their story, and build capacity. Editor’s note: Part one of a four-part series. We were asked to speak to the Memphis Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) on Sept. 13. The following is part one of our remarks.
Media Coverage: More Than a Press Release
FUNdraising Good Times By Mel and Pearl Shaw Print | Front Page | Email this story | Comments () To: * Required From: * Required Message: From (email):* Required Message:* Required Will 2015 be the year your nonprofit is highlighted in news stories and feature pieces? Will those who could benefit from the work of your organization read about you in the newspaper, see a story on TV, or listen to an interview on the radio?
Ekundayo Bandele of Hattiloo and The State of Black Theatre
An interview with Ekundayo Bandele, Founder and CEO of Hattiloo Theatre. Part one of a two part series. We had the opportunity to interview Ekundayo Bandele, the founder and CEO of Hattiloo Theatre in Memphis, Tennessee. Hattiloo, as the theatre is affectionately called, is the only freestanding Black repertory theatre in five surrounding states. Listen in as Mel Shaw of Saad&Shaw interviews Ekundayo Bandele on the state of Black Theatre and what lies ahead.
Stop Screening, Answer the Phone and Start Talking
Millennials aren’t the only ones clamoring for yesteryear. The telephone is a primary means of inbound and outbound communication for many businesses and nonprofits. Do you wonder why board members, volunteer leaders, and donors don’t get back to you? Could it be they had a negative experience when trying to reach you by phone? Maybe they did call, got frustrated, and hung up. Or maybe they left a message that never found its way to you.
Can you afford not to invest in organizational development?
Nonprofit people are some of the busiest people around. We are busy meeting needs, advocating, raising money, collaborating, and bringing people together to advance positive visions for who we can be individually and collectively. Our endeavors are meaningful, impactful, and often life-saving. Collectively we are transforming the world we know into the world we want our children to live in. And we seek to respect each other and feel good about doing good. But how does this all happen?
Don't be a special event copycat, have your events stand out
Special events are an integral part of nonprofit life and fundraising. They can be a fun way to build relationships, raise money, and increase awareness. They can also drain resources and divert an organization from its primary purpose. There’s a lot to consider before planning an event: just because another organization is hosting a gala, walk-a-thon, bike ride, silent auction, golf tournament, or concert doesn’t mean you should do the same. Here are six things to consider.
Does your nonprofit meet your community’s needs?
As 2019 – and the decade – comes to a close take a moment to ask the critical questions. We all believe in what we are doing. We believe in the mission and vision of the organizations we lead and are associated with. We have contributed to strategic planning and fundraising. We give of our time, talent and resources. We know we are making an impact. The above is all well and good, but is it good enough? Is the health of your organization the most important aspect of your work?
Does your nonprofit meet your community's needs?
As 2019 – and the decade – comes to a close take a moment to ask the critical questions. We all believe in what we are doing. We believe in the mission and vision of the organizations we lead and are associated with. We have contributed to strategic planning and fundraising. We give of our time, talent and resources. We know we are making an impact. The above is all well and good, but is it good enough? Is the health of your organization the most important aspect of your work?
Which nonprofits will be on your holiday gift list this year?
As you decide whose been naughty and whose been nice, remember the nonprofits who make are “nice” every day of the year. Giving Tuesday is a “global generosity movement” that kicks off on the Tuesday after Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday. It’s all about unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. It’s a great time to start your holiday giving: you can give in person, online, by check or credit card.
What is your fundraising "red zone?"
With less than 45 days to make or succeed your fundraising goal, it’s time to put a “red zone” plan of action in place. In football the red zone is the most difficult time to score. You are down to the last 20 yards. Things are difficult and intense. This is not time for the “ten yard by ten yard” standardized process. You are close, but you need to put all forces into play to score. The rest of the game doesn’t have to be as intense and strategic, but this is the do or die zone.
Its time to say thank you!
It is so easy for THANK YOU to fall through the cracks. Yes, you are focusing on getting last minute gifts in the door, but don’t forget to say thank you and say it properly. It’s Thanksgiving season: time for reflections and actions rooted in gratitude. For those who are nonprofit leaders there’s a dual focus: saying thank you and meeting your fundraising goals. This is a lot to manage, but it’s something you have to do.
Hidden talent within your organization - a way to build capacity and infrastructure
You can spend your time looking for that “perfect” person to hire or you can look within your organization for hidden talent you can develop. Finding the right people to advance your fundraising can be challenging. It takes time to identify, recruit, and hire the right person. The competition for people with fundraising experience is fierce, and just because someone has experience doesn’t mean they have the right experience for your organization at this particular time in its history.
How well do you know your donor base?
This is the busy season for most nonprofits. Organizations are simultaneously “closing out” this year and planning for next year. Development directors and executive directors are keeping a close eye on the total of gifts received, and the extent to which the organization is on track to meet its fundraising goals. In the midst of it all we recommend keeping your individual donor in focus. Here’s what we mean: meeting a fundraising goal means that many people decided to give to your nonprofit.
How well do you know your donor base?
This is the busy season for most nonprofits. Organizations are simultaneously “closing out” this year and planning for next year. Development directors and executive directors are keeping a close eye on the total of gifts received, and the extent to which the organization is on track to meet its fundraising goals. In the midst of it all we recommend keeping your individual donor in focus. Here’s what we mean: meeting a fundraising goal means that many people decided to give to your nonprofit.
Who qualifies to be the face and voice of your organization?
The debate is on: should the face and voice of your fundraising campaign be the executive director, CEO, or president? Should it be a major donor? What about the board chair? Volunteer leadership? Alumni? Perhaps it should be a recipient of services/advocacy. Maybe a national personality. In many organizations the top staff person – such as the executive director – is the face and voice by default. Is this the right decision? Should there be a series of faces and voices?
Power, wealth, and influence - what does it really mean?
In the fundraising world there are things we are comfortable talking about, and things we tend to shy away from. One of these is the impact that people of power, wealth, and influence can make on the life of an organization or institution. There can be a tendency to believe all people bring equal assets to the board of an organization. That belief can obscure the specific value that people of power, wealth, and/or influence can bring.
What to do if you have to do it all: guidance for the one person fundraising shop
Sometimes you are the one person responsible for fundraising for your organization. When that’s the situation our guidance is this: start small and plan BIG. The most important thing to know – and act on – is that you must have a well-defined job description. You can contribute to creating it if you are already in the job. If you are considering such a position, be sure to ask for the job description and review it closely.
Creating a sense of urgency
Have you ever wondered why your fundraising efforts seem to stall, not get off the ground, or never come to an end? We suspect your campaign isn’t working with a sense of urgency. There are so many things that need to go right in order for a fundraising campaign to be successful. One of them is creating a sense of urgency. This should be set during the planning phases: you cannot recover once you set another standard.
Vision Mission and Fundraising
Successful nonprofit fundraising doesn’t just happen. It takes planning and preparation. It also requires an understanding and agreement regarding the organization’s mission, vision, strategic direction, goals, and financial position. We know that many times people want to begin fundraising right away. “We need money; we don’t have time to do all that,” is a common cry. That may be true.
What makes a good fundraising program?
Does meeting your organization’s financial goal define the success of your fundraising program? If you receive a windfall gift that takes you over the top, do you feel prepared to meet next year’s goal? How does meeting or exceeding an annual fundraising goal tie to sustainable fundraising success?
What makes a good fundraising program?
Does meeting your organization’s financial goal define the success of your fundraising program? If you receive a windfall gift that takes you over the top, do you feel prepared to meet next year’s goal? How does meeting or exceeding an annual fundraising goal tie to sustainable fundraising success?
What makes a good fundraising program?
Does meeting your organization’s financial goal define the success of your fundraising program? If you receive a windfall gift that takes you over the top, do you feel prepared to meet next year’s goal? How does meeting or exceeding an annual fundraising goal tie to sustainable fundraising success?
Who Calls the Shots at Your Nonprofit?
Sometimes the multitude of decisions that need to be made can be overwhelming. If you are a nonprofit leader you know that the need to make decisions is never ending. But how do you make decisions? Better yet, how does the organization make decisions? Some organizations find they aren’t able to advance as they desire. If you are in this position, consider looking at how decisions are made, and who manages the decision making process. Things may not be as clear as they seem.
Who calls the shots at your nonprofit?
Sometimes the multitude of decisions that need to be made can be overwhelming. If you are a nonprofit leader you know that the need to make decisions is never ending. But how do you make decisions? Better yet, how does the organization make decisions? Some organizations find they aren’t able to advance as they desire. If you are in this position, consider looking at how decisions are made, and who manages the decision making process. Things may not be as clear as they seem.
How to develop a world class fundraising volunteer
Are you struggling to develop and manage fundraising volunteers? Do you think it is “easier” for you to do the fundraising yourself? Do you secretly feel it is a waste of time to work with volunteers? We believe that a successful fundraising campaign should be volunteer driven with staff providing guidance and support. To accomplish this, nonprofit management and staff need to put the same energy into developing a volunteer pool that they invest in developing major donors.
Are you an honorary board member or a real one?
Are you really an active participant as a board member, or are you there in name only? Some may not be aware, but there actually are different “classes” of board members. It is rare for someone to tell you which class you are a part of, but you can assess your behavior and learn for yourself. We believe there are two primary classes: honorary board members, and “real” or participating members. There are a few behaviors that can be tell-tale signs of an honorary member.
Restoring Sanity to Your Nonprofit
Within nonprofits there is always someone who is known as the “sane one” and another known as the “insane one.” It is often the CEO who is seen as the source of “organizational insanity.” These leaders are constantly keeping multiple balls in the air, juggling as fast as they can.
Restoring sanity to your nonprofit
Within nonprofits there is always someone who is known as the “sane one” and another known as the “insane one.” It is often the CEO who is seen as the source of “organizational insanity.” These leaders are constantly keeping multiple balls in the air, juggling as fast as they can.
Back to FUNdraising School Special
You cannot say thank you enough! As students head back to school, its time for nonprofit professionals to return to FUNdraising School. Receiving a gift – especially a major gift – is an important milestone for any organization. Gifts and grants are the financial backbone of so many nonprofits, and they cannot be taken for granted. Yet sometimes they are. And that can have a negative impact now and in the future. Here’s what we have learned.
How to Raise Our Children to Become Philanthropists
Part two of a two part series This column is offered in honor of Black Philanthropy Month. Giving is one aspect of philanthropy. Deciding how, where, and when to give is another aspect. You can support the young people in your life – and in your community – as they become philanthropists. You can help them grow from giving of their time, talent, and treasure and into thinking of themselves as strategic philanthropists.
How to raise our children to become philanthropists
Part two of a two part series This column is offered in honor of Black Philanthropy Month. Giving is one aspect of philanthropy. Deciding how, where, and when to give is another aspect. You can support the young people in your life – and in your community – as they become philanthropists. You can help them grow from giving of their time, talent, and treasure and into thinking of themselves as strategic philanthropists.
How to Raise Our Children to Become Philanthropists
Part one of a two part series This column is offered in honor of Black Philanthropy Month. We are forever pushing our children to become entrepreneurs, to start and run their own businesses. We encourage this because we believe it is good for our children as individuals, and good for the Black community. Entrepreneurism is all about becoming financially independent, and building wealth and assets. What we don’t always remember is the value of teaching our children to be philanthropists.
HBCU leadership - let's move beyond the blame game
Running an institution of higher education is like running a multi-million dollar business. There are negotiations for property, talent, capital, innovation, partnerships, and oh – student recruitment, retention, graduation, and curriculum specialization.
What is your brand? An interview with Christopher E. Lee
We hear a lot about “brand” – it is the secret sauce of marketing. It’s what differentiates your nonprofit from another. But what exactly is a brand? How does a nonprofit create a brand, and how does it live into the promise of its brand? For answers to these questions and more we reached out to Christopher Lee, CEO of Think Inspired. Christopher E. Lee, CEO of Think Inspired In answering the question, What exactly is a “brand?” Lee turned to Google, an obviously well-established brand.
How to raise our children to become philanthropists
Part one of a two part series This column is offered in honor of Black Philanthropy Month. We are forever pushing our children to become entrepreneurs, to start and run their own businesses. We encourage this because we believe it is good for our children as individuals, and good for the Black community. Entrepreneurism is all about becoming financially independent, and building wealth and assets. What we don’t always remember is the value of teaching our children to be philanthropists.
Hiring an HBCU President: Questions for Presidents and Trustees
Part three of a three part series No matter how successful an HBCU president is there will always be people who want them to do more and to do it better and faster. Sometimes it feels like a “no win” situation. With this column we offer food for thought for those who seek a presidential role, and those who are charged with recruiting and hiring the president. Questions to ask yourself if you are considering a presidential position: Are the expectations of the hiring board clear and achievable?
Hiring an HBCU president: questions for presidents and trustees
Part three of a three part series No matter how successful an HBCU president is there will always be people who want them to do more and to do it better and faster. Sometimes it feels like a “no win” situation. With this column we offer food for thought for those who seek a presidential role, and those who are charged with recruiting and hiring the president. Questions to ask yourself if you are considering a presidential position: Are the expectations of the hiring board clear and achievable?
How to develop your nonprofit brand
Part two of a three part series Many people confuse marketing and branding. Some think a logo is a brand. Not so, a logo is one manifestation of a brand. Here’s what we learned from Christopher E. Lee, CEO of Think Inspired, “Branding is a component of marketing.
HBCU Leadership - Let’s Move Beyond the Blame Game
Part two of a three part series The turnover of top leadership at our historically Black colleges and universities is often “blamed” on the president. “They didn’t deliver,” is what we are asked to understand as the reason for early termination of a contract, or an unwillingness to renew a contract. The formal words may be different, but at the core the issue is often that the institution faces challenges and the board of trustees doesn’t believe the current president can solve them.
HBCU leadership - let's move beyond the blame game
Part two of a three part series The turnover of top leadership at our historically Black colleges and universities is often “blamed” on the president. “They didn’t deliver,” is what we are asked to understand as the reason for early termination of a contract, or an unwillingness to renew a contract. The formal words may be different, but at the core the issue is often that the institution faces challenges and the board of trustees doesn’t believe the current president can solve them.
What is your brand? An interview with Christopher E. Lee
We hear a lot about “brand” – it is the secret sauce of marketing. It’s what differentiates your nonprofit from another. But what exactly is a brand? How does a nonprofit create a brand, and how does it live into the promise of its brand? For answers to these questions and more we reached out to Christopher Lee, CEO of Think Inspired. In answering the question, What exactly is a “brand?” Lee turned to Google, an obviously well-established brand.
HBCU Leadership - the Revolving Door
Part one of a three part series Running an institution of higher education is like running a multi-million dollar business. There are negotiations for property, talent, capital, innovation, partnerships, and oh – student recruitment, retention, graduation,and curriculum specialization.
HBCU leadership - the revolving door
Part one of a three part series Running an institution of higher education is like running a multi-million dollar business. There are negotiations for property, talent, capital, innovation, partnerships, and oh – student recruitment, retention, graduation, and curriculum specialization.
When Does Your Nonprofit Need to Rebrand? An interview with Christopher Lee
Nonprofits focus on making change, serving residents, healing patients, educating students, conducting research, and advocating for civil rights and liberties amongst other priorities. But what about a focus on “brand?” Should that be a nonprofit priority? Our opinion is “yes.” Your brand is, quite simply, how your constituents, donors, funders, and community know who you are, what you do, and why they should care. We recently had the opportunity to talk with Christopher E.
When does your nonprofit need to rebrand? An interview with Christopher Lee
Part three of a three part series Christopher E. Lee, CEO of Think Inspired Nonprofits focus on making change, serving residents, healing patients, educating students, conducting research, and advocating for civil rights and liberties amongst other priorities. But what about a focus on “brand?” Should that be a nonprofit priority? Our opinion is “yes.” Your brand is, quite simply, how your constituents, donors, funders, and community know who you are, what you do, and why they should care.
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