Kevin L. Hagan

The fundraising pathway for new donor prospects... For major donors: Personal Cultivation -> Solicitation For mid-level donors: Systematic and "Personal-ish" Cultivation -> Solicitation For low-dollar donors: Emotional Introduction + Solicitation -> Systematic Cultivation -> Quick Second Solicitation IYKYK

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Fundraising in 2026 will favor organizations that treat donors and boards as partners, not audiences. Transparency builds shared responsibility — and shared responsibility builds momentum. 👉 Follow for insight on collaborative fundraising leadership. 👉 Click Here: https://lnkd.in/efaUmwnm and get FREE access to my Newsletter for unfiltered takes on philanthropy, leadership, and building real social change. #BoardLeadership #FundraisingStrategy #NonprofitBoards #DonorPartnership #Philanthropy #Leadership

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We’re thrilled to announce DRK Foundation’s investment in RefuAid and welcome Anna Jones to the DRK portfolio. Why we’re excited: RefuAid accelerates refugees' integration into society through accessible loans. RefuAid loans unlock the capital needed to cover the licensing and training required to re-enter the workforce, and pay for housing and family expenses to support successful integration. A solution born in the UK, RefuAid is demonstrating how financial institutions can confidently extend reaccreditation loans to forcibly displaced people worldwide. To date, RefuAid has dispersed £3 million in loans, supporting more than 1,500 individuals with a default rate of less than 1%. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gbuWGvV4

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A Fundraising Process That Builds Donor Trust The “ambush ask” – luring donors to meetings under false or veiled pretenses, then asking for “a gift” -- has done significant damage to donor trust and to the credibility of fundraising. The underhandedness of some has made it more difficult for sound practitioners to secure appointments with donors. They have to overcome suspicion and mistrust engendered by shady practices if they are even afforded the opportunity to establish themselves as honorable fundraisers. As with so many fundraising practices, one is left wondering why anyone would attempt something so short-sighted, especially when the inverse of the ambush ask – the completely transparent fundraising process – produces better results, builds trust, and leaves donors receptive to future meetings and requests. Two critical elements of a transparent process are asking permission and previewing material. When material is shared before each request to meet with a donor, a donor is more apt to respond favorably to the request, to feel adequately informed to discuss the topic at hand, to feel fairly treated and to develop a higher opinion of the fundraiser and the organization he or she represents. The principles of preview and permission, which work hand in hand, can be applied to every type and level of fundraising. For instance: 🔸 Ask permission of current annual donors to send them a preview of the next year’s annual giving objectives to see if they resonate and, if so, which ones, which allows them to be heard, to think about which options are most appealing and predisposes them to respond favorably to the appeal 🔸 Ask permission of midlevel donors to send them a preview of brief impact projections to see which they find most relevant and inspiring and, when they share which ones do, follow up with an expanded description of the project, and ask permission to seek their reaction either in person or on a virtual platform 🔸 Ask permission of a major gift prospect to send a draft concept paper; if they say yes, send them a hard copy or an electronic version asking them to suggest ways that the content, logic and wording could be improved; if they do, ask permission to provide them with a list of ways they could more about the initiative 🔸 Ask permission of significant estate donors to send them a copy of Charles Collier’s “Wealth in Families” (thank you Philip Cubeta for this suggestion) so you might discuss with the questions Collier poses in that book; if they do, ask permission to meet with them to explore which questions they found most meaningful and how you could help answer them Sneaking up on donors is dumb and destructive. Being explicit about what we are asking of them, and previewing material in advance leads to better results and promotes long-term partnership building.

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Jim Langley offers excellent advice in this piece about asking for permission to ask. As Todd Lindsley said to me years ago, “giving is never an obligation, always an invitation.” When you invite people in they are so much more likely to give consideration to what you are requesting of them. While their answer may not come right away, and it may not always be what you want to hear, you will know that your request was thoughtfully considered. What’s more, the prospective donor might explain to you why, if they say no, whether that means never, not now, or something else. Maybe it’s just not the right timing because they’re bunching their giving and this is not the year in which they will bunch gifts, or maybe they they love your organization, but you’re asking for a project that doesn’t excite them. Extending an invitation provides an opening for conversation and learning so much about donors and what motivates them to give.

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"New certification requirements tied to executive orders could expose #nonprofits to legal and financial risk, and organizations are urged to submit public comments by March 30." https://lnkd.in/eCPVujXu

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A very helpful guide, especially for those feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of developing an RFP from scratch - it's all right here!

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One of the things I value most about ADRP (and philanthropy in general!) is the willingness of this community to share not just what’s working, but what we’re learning along the way. As our work continues to evolve, those shared insights are what strengthen our profession and help move us forward, together. If you’ve been experimenting, refining, or rethinking how we approach donor relations, I would strongly encourage you to consider submitting a proposal. Your perspective may be exactly what someone else needs.

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GrantTalk Ep 48: Grants That Strengthen Operations | The Nonprofit Management Fund Strong programs need strong operations. 🎯 This GrantTalk episode breaks down how operational grants and grant writing cohorts help nonprofits build long-term capacity. ▶️ Watch the full conversation: https://lnkd.in/ewTmc_ab #grantfunding #nonprofitleadership #operationalgrants #grantstrategy #granttalk

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Community Health Workers (CHWs) are often the first line of support when someone needs care. They build trust, remove barriers, and strengthen communities. They play a critical role in saving lives and reducing costs, yet their impact is too often overlooked in broader health system planning and investment. During National Community Health Worker (CHW) Awareness Week, I’m proud that Sanofi partnered with the National Association of Community Health Workers (NACHW), NationSwell, and ATLAS CLARITY LLC to release Strengthening Public Health with Community Health Workers. The report lifts up examples from across the country and offers recommendations for how funders and health systems can better recognize, invest, and sustain this vital workforce. We’re grateful to our partners and especially to the CHWs whose dedication and leadership continue to strengthen communities. Read the report here: https://lnkd.in/eE2B2JwX #CHWAwarenessWeek #CommunityHealthWorkers #PublicHealth #StrengthInCHWs

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