Philanthropy Blog

A Look Inside: The University of Florida's Get Up & Give Campaign

At the University of Florida, there's a popular cheer at athletic events - particularly football games - that ends with "C'mon Gators, Get Up And Go!" This fall, the University of Florida Foundation and The Florida Fund tried to capitalize on this and create urgency for their fundraising efforts via a "Get Up & Give" campaign.

Why Should Nonprofits Care About Social Media?

One of the challenges with social media most cited in my interactions with nonprofit professionals and in the Marts & Lundy social media challenges survey is convincing executive leadership of social media’s importance.

So why should nonprofits - and their leaders - care about social media?

National #Philanthropy Day: What Makes You Passionate About Philanthropy?

Happy National Philanthropy Day! The world is a much better place due to the work of philanthropy and philanthropic individuals. But what makes you passionate about philanthropy? I asked the same question of some of our clients, partners and Marts & Lundy team. I think you will find the answers interesting, varied and inspiring. But it still begs the question - how would you respond? Use the comments section to respond!

 

10 Elevator Pitch Tips for Non-Profits

When speaking to non-profit leaders, one of the first things I ask them to share with me is their elevator pitch - the quick description of your cause that will motivate a listener to ask for more information, invest in your efforts and/or encourage others to engage with your organization. This provides me with:

SMS/Mobile Giving Case Study

In a recent discussion at the CASE Social Media & Community conference, the discussion entitled Future Trends in Social Media identified mobile/text/SMS giving was identified as the topic likely to gain the most in attention and importance before next year’s conference. In the course of the discussion, ideas were considered for how this might work within higher education, but actual examples are difficult to find.

An Expanded View of Philanthropy: Its Past & its Promise for the Future

I am honored that my colleagues at Marts & Lundy have asked me to serve as their chair of the board and partner with Don Fellows, President & CEO, a long-time friend and former colleague at Stanford, in leading the firm. A long line of distinguished individuals going back 85 years to the firm’s founder, Arnaud Marts, have filled this role, including my early counselor, Burr Gibson, and my predecessor, Bruce McClintock. Each has helped shape the firm’s values and its abiding commitment to its clients while contributing to best practices in the field of philanthropy.

1 Month = 6,000 Donors = 17% of Those Solicited. Really?

Really. In a recent #fundchat Twitter chat, the topic of multi-channel marketing came up. I mentioned that when I was at Dartmouth College, we did a “challenge” integrating messages from direct mail, phonathon, e-mails, volunteer managers, and anyone else who would talk about it.

Survey of Giving Trends

We invite you to participate in our annual survey about giving trends, campaigns, & how FY 2011 (July 1, 2010 – June 30, 2011) outcomes compare with past results. The survey should take about 10 to 15 minutes to complete once the data have been collected. We hope that you will respond as soon as possible, but no later than August 15th.

Latest M&L Counsel

The latest edition of Marts & Lundy’s newsletter, Counsel, is now available online.

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Legacy Admissions: Another Perspective

I have read Darrow Zeidenstein’s piece advocating legacy preferences in admissions on economic and philanthropic grounds (see Marts & Lundy’s COUNSEL newsletter).  I want to offer a different perspective and a different conclusion.  At their core, legacy admissions policies are a moral issue.