To Survey or Not to Survey? Why Donor Surveys Matter – Part Two
What should a donor survey include? If you have not read last month’s post on why donor surveys matter, you may want to start there.…
Thoughtful Insights
Perspectives on philanthropy and organizational effectiveness
Thoughts on fundraising strategy, donor psychology, leadership, and the dynamics of organizational change.
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To Survey or Not to Survey? Why Donor Surveys Matter – Part One
Surveys are among the most useful tools we have for understanding the people who care about our work. They can help us learn why someone…
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Stories With Clothes: Paul Tazewell’s Lesson for Fundraisers
Paul Tazewell’s TED Talk on costume design offers surprising insights for fundraisers navigating power, credibility, and belonging in donor spaces.
Recent Articles
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Introducing H. Aldervan Daly & Associates
A new home for The Thoughtful Approach, and a fundraising practice built around it.
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As We Prepare for Fall Work Schedules
I was reminded of this TED Talk video I posted in 2024. I think the sentiment is even truer now.…
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Quiet Quitting: It’s only gotten worse
Has the virtual work space made this even more prelvent? As a manager how do you know if your team…
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The Art of Persuasive Storytelling | Kelly D. Parker | TED
“Storytelling is one of the most powerful marketing and leadership tools there is,” says communications expert Kelly D. Parker. She…
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What Water Aerobics Taught Me About Fundraising
Good fundraising is not magic. It is not manipulation. It is not finding the perfect sentence that suddenly makes someone…
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When Your Board Will Not Stand Behind Its Own Number
I want to make the case for the half of that sentence almost nobody makes. Directors are stewards of the…
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Do You Really Need a Fancy Case for Support?
The case for support has become an industry unto itself. But does a glossy document actually help you raise more…
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The Gift-in-Kind Question
When a donor offers goods or services instead of cash, how do you respond thoughtfully while protecting organizational interests?
1 min readRead More →: The Gift-in-Kind Question -
Reclaiming Connection: Fundraisers as Helping Professionals
Published in AFP’s Advancing Philanthropy, this piece explores how fundraisers can reclaim their identity as helping professionals rather than salespeople.
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