tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11969144933620070652024-02-21T07:11:22.987-08:00Strategic Nonprofit ManagementPractical Information for Volunteers & Staff Making Our World A Better PlaceSheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12230574123409592186noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1196914493362007065.post-90370407937177904532013-02-10T19:12:00.000-08:002013-04-28T09:18:04.478-07:00Guiding Principles for a Major Gifts Campaign<div class="O1" style="direction: ltr; language: en-US; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: .81in; margin-top: 6.72pt; mso-line-break-override: none; punctuation-wrap: hanging; text-align: left; text-indent: -.31in; unicode-bidi: embed; vertical-align: baseline;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">If your nonprofit wants to initiate a Major Gifts Campaign, then
your board and staff should consider the following guiding principles before<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://strategicnonprofitmgmt.blogspot.com/2013/01/overview-fundraising-planning-execution.html">planning
the next steps</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">These guiding principles for a Major Gifts Campaign are absolutely
critical for success. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Board and staff should have a clear understanding and agreement to follow these principles throughout the life of the campaign.</span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #38761d;">What is a Major Gifts
Campaign?</span></span></i></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">An organized effort that takes extraordinary planning, time,
resources, and patience to secure “major gifts” from “major donors” to
accomplish a large fundraising goal.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">A Major Gifts Campaign could be a capital,
endowment or annual fund campaign<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><u><b><i>OR ALL
THREE (combined in a comprehensive fundraising plan)!!</i></b></u></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #38761d;">What is a Major Gift?</span></span></i></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">A
major gift is any gift so large that its size:</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">*<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Is of a
different magnitude from the organization's usual range of gifts </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><i>AND</i></span></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">*<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Has the
potential to have a significant impact on the organization.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Who is a Major Donor?</span></span></i></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">An individual, foundation
or corporation who is keenly interested in the mission of your organization and
willing to make an investment of a major gift in your organization.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #38761d;">What is the board's
responsibility in a Major Gifts Campaign?</span></span></i></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">As a critical governance responsibility,
the board MUST ensure that the organization has a realistic strategy for
raising funds. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>For a major
gifts campaign, the board must actively participate by:</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">*<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Endorsing
the campaign plan including the case and goal, strategies, responsibilities of staff & volunteers, and timelines</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">*<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Making
a personal major gift</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">*<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Recruiting
Campaign Committee</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 11pt;">*<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Cultivating & Soliciting Major
Donors</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #38761d;">What is the Staff's Role
in a Major Gifts Campaign?</span></span></i></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #009999; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Executive Director’s
Role</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">*<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Primary Fundraiser<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">*<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Must set aside 50% of time for
campaign<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #009999; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Development Staff’s Role</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">*<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Primary “Puppet-Master”
(Coordinator/Manager)<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 40.5pt; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">*<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Must set aside 90% of time for
campaign<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #009999; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Program Staff’s Role</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">*<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Primary Cheerleaders<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 40.5pt; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">*<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Must know the Case and Where to
Direct Potential Donors<b> <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<br />Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12230574123409592186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1196914493362007065.post-11415324368762594112013-01-10T08:05:00.001-08:002013-01-10T08:05:07.329-08:00Overview: Fundraising Planning & Execution<span style="font-size: large;">No matter what type of fundraising project --capital campaign, annual fund, or even for a special event -- there are common planning and execution/implementation steps that apply. It is very important to emphasize that these steps are not necessarily sequential and often must occur simultaneously.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I will expand on these components for fundraising success over the course of posts this month.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghOzOEwWFjOGSd9ud1Hbsm5LwOd8GZ-nHcmMmFPFfZbHq7BD3TLyGyqrAwLivSXPwmF_pSLEpsGFaFx3YRQXG_zXiJMDD-W4zfNEIM51aHTC9u3FaHNgHZpq7-4-gYY1-nIsT1nMItCoI/s1600/CampPrepSteps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghOzOEwWFjOGSd9ud1Hbsm5LwOd8GZ-nHcmMmFPFfZbHq7BD3TLyGyqrAwLivSXPwmF_pSLEpsGFaFx3YRQXG_zXiJMDD-W4zfNEIM51aHTC9u3FaHNgHZpq7-4-gYY1-nIsT1nMItCoI/s1600/CampPrepSteps.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For those who think they are past this planning phase, here are the Components of Good Campaign Execution:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFBf_QMcOugA22anmMjkb7I44xFFE5x3ObVnFHF7Nb3odpBwsbtftvc1zli_To1gvcNCNhiyfcfuy0zOTuJz8MXSPrJip1dbfb7YWMh5QL27enJD6B4AyS4cKNAAKsJe0OdrYReq0BSIg/s1600/CampExecSteps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFBf_QMcOugA22anmMjkb7I44xFFE5x3ObVnFHF7Nb3odpBwsbtftvc1zli_To1gvcNCNhiyfcfuy0zOTuJz8MXSPrJip1dbfb7YWMh5QL27enJD6B4AyS4cKNAAKsJe0OdrYReq0BSIg/s1600/CampExecSteps.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you have questions about any of these components before I post a detailed explanation, please comment and I will address it ASAP!</span></div>
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<br />Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12230574123409592186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1196914493362007065.post-37948318136884124782013-01-09T07:10:00.002-08:002013-02-15T12:58:23.073-08:00Assessing Past Fundraising Success<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Whether you organization is about to launch a capital campaign or an annual fund campaign with a bigger emphasis on "Major Gifts" (which may be $500 or $5,000+ depending upon the size of your organization and your current level of donor giving), you should first assess your past fundraising success so that your plan is based in reality and not theory.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Prior to launching a Major Gifts Campaign, here are a few questions that you should review with your Executive Director, Board and Development staff:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">•</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">What
type of fundraising has your organization been successful with?</span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> –</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">Annual
Giving (direct mail, telemarketing, & events)</span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> –</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">Major
Giving (grant writing & face-to-face solicitations)</span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> –</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">Planned
Giving</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">•</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">Are
your internal Development plans, policies and procedures set up?</span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> –</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">Annual
and Long-term Fundraising Plan approved by Board</span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> –</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">Constituent
Database(s)-donor & volunteer tracking</span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> –</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">Prospect
Research</span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> –</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">Gift
Acceptance Policies</span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> –</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">Donor
Recognition</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> –</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">Progress
Reporting</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"> –</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">Fundraising
Material Preparation</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">•</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">Has
anything occurred to increase/decrease donor loyalty?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">•</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">Has
there been a “personality” that your organization owes its success to?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">•</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">How
active has your board and other volunteers been in fundraising?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span>
Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12230574123409592186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1196914493362007065.post-10017296314944443142013-01-08T09:15:00.002-08:002013-01-08T09:17:08.331-08:00Cost To Raise a Dollar (CTRD)It's really an interesting discussion for a board and staff leadership to think about the different fundraising activities and how much time and effort they should spend on each activity! An easy way to assess your effectiveness is to look at the Cost to Raise a Dollar (CTRD) for each of the fundraising programs or campaigns your nonprofit engages in.<br />
<br />
I wish I had a dime for every time someone would ask me what the CTRD that is "acceptable". Well, there are national averages, but your nonprofit must decide what they think is "acceptable" to the supporters.<br />
<br />
I have had a slide in one of my training sessions for years with the following:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">James Greenfield provided the following answer in his book, Fund-Raising: Evaluating and Managing the Fund Development Process (1999). The overall national average cost to raise a dollar (CTRD) is 20 cents (or 80 cents of every dollar raised goes to the charitable purpose/programs):</span><br />
<br style="font-family: Arial;" />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"># Fundraising Activity/Method National Cost to Raise a Dollar</span><br />
<br style="font-family: Arial;" />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">1. Capital Campaign/Major Gifts $ .05 to $ .10 per dollar raised.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">2. Corporations and Foundations (Grant Writing) $ .20 per dollar raised.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">3. Direct Mail Renewal $ .20 per dollar raised.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">4. Planned Giving $ .25 per dollar raise¾and a lot of patience!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">5. Benefit/Special Events $ .50 of gross proceeds.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">6. Direct Mail Acquisition $ 1.00 to $ 1.25 per dollar raised.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">7. National Average $ .20</span></b></span><br />
<br />
I have cross-referenced it with many other sources. However, look at THE DATE on this...I wonder if social media, email and general increased web presence of nonprofits has changed these averages.<br />
<br />
Can anyone update this information for us??<br />
<br />
<br />Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12230574123409592186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1196914493362007065.post-48350548981890344992013-01-08T06:56:00.000-08:002013-01-08T06:56:57.634-08:00Board Fundraising Commitment FormMany nonprofit managers worry about how to best engage and encourage their boards to participate in fundraising. One of the most essential criteria when recruiting volunteer board members is to make it clear what is expected when they agree to serve on your governing board.<br />
<br />
An easy first step is to ask ALL board member, new and old, to sign an annual commitment form.<br />
<br />
I've used versions of this form below for many years. I found this thanks to <a href="http://www.raise-funds.com/about/">Tony Poderis</a>, who has been one of the pioneers of fundraising and nonprofit advice online!! See his site at: <a href="http://www.raise-funds.com/">http://www.raise-funds.com/</a><br />
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<b>SAMPLE Board Members Pledge to Support
Fundraising Efforts<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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As a board member of
______________________, I pledge to support and take part in all of the
organization's fund-raising efforts.<o:p></o:p></div>
<ol start="1" type="1">
<ul type="circle">
<li class="MsoNormal">I will actively
solicit gifts for every fund-raising campaign we undertake. <o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal">I will carry the
message of the organization's value and importance to those with whom I
work and socialize. <o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Recognizing that
leaders must lead by example, I will make a gift to every fund-raising
campaign the organization undertakes consistent with my ability to give
and reflective of my commitment to the organization. <o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
</ol>
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Signed: ________________________,
Trustee<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 7.5pt;">© Copyright 1997 - 2004, Tony
Poderis All rights in all media reserved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12230574123409592186noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1196914493362007065.post-34838846083722914752013-01-07T18:12:00.001-08:002013-01-07T18:53:35.477-08:00First Post: Planning this Blog <span style="font-size: large;">Today I begin to brainstorm and plan my ideas for a blog that will share lessons in nonprofit management that I have learned over the past 20+ years. I hope this might be helpful to others in the nonprofit world. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">See my LinkedIn profile to see more about why I am qualified to blog on these topics: <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/pub/sheila-ferguson/3b/2a9/424">http://www.linkedin.com/pub/sheila-ferguson/3b/2a9/424</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Follow me on Twitter to see items I often TWEET and RT on nonprofit topics: @TennESheeLa </span><span style="font-size: large;">I'm based in Memphis, TN so many of my Tweets refer to the Midsouth.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Please make comments here with suggestions for topics you would like to see me discuss (i.e. Financial Planning, Board Involvement, Strategic Planning, Prospect Research, Major Gifts Fundraising Grantwriting, Events, Internal Communications, Marketing, etc.).</span><br />
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<br />Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12230574123409592186noreply@blogger.com0