Key Ingredients of a Successful Visit
Don’t be late! Turn off your phone! Let's take a quick look at four habits of successful gift officers when meeting with donors and prospects.
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Professionalism
Respect Your Work
Remember, especially when it feels hard, that you are doing inspired and important work.
Drinking on a Donor Visit
Drinking on a social donor visit can certainly be appropriate if done well. Drinking to excess is never a good idea, obviously. In any case, here are some Miss Manners-style tips to keep you straight.
Working with Entrepreneurs
How do you work with energetic entrepreneurs? What characteristics do they have and what should you be prepared for?
The Approach Less Taken
If you’re engaging a donor for a single purpose, such as a gift to a campaign, you'll find that traditional fact-finding discussions are generally successful. However, rarely if ever will you find traditional fact-finding interactions leading to commitments from donors that will truly make a difference long-term for your organization.
Building Trust
The Oxford English Dictionary defines trust as "firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of character." Other dictionaries give a host of synonyms: Reliable, good, honest, effective, fair; confidence, integrity, strength, ability, surety.
What is Gift Planning and Why Should You Care?
In today's competitive climate for philanthropic dollars, gift planning knowledge is an essential tool for success.
What's your AGI?
Whether you have already filed your current year taxes and received your refund, or if you are still procrastinating and have no plans to do your taxes before April 15 – do yourself a favor. What is your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI)?
Formalizing the Visit
Everyone's time is precious. Make sure you are getting the most out of your donor visits by clearly articulating the purpose of the meeting ahead of time.
Never Assume They Know
Don't assume that high-net worth people and their advisors are well informed about what kinds of assets can be gifted.