Talking Shop

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Comprehensive capital campaigns: Much-needed strategy and structure? Or antiquated and artificial approach to advancing the mission? On the latest episode of the Talking Shop podcast, co-hosts Erin Moran and David Lively draw on their experience as former Campaign Directors (at DePaul and Northwes…

Read more about Northwestern's decision to shrink portfolio sizes here: https://eab.com/insights/daily-briefing/advancement/the-surprising-change-that-increased-dollars-raised-by-more-than-600/

“We all need to be able to speak to why this profession is important and how we all uplift each other.” On Erin’s first day at Grinnell College, part of her orientation included an explicit explanation that, “You are here because of a lot of alumni who made a lot of gifts.” From day one as a stude…

"You rated this person as having a capacity to give $1.5MM, but I met with them, and they can clearly give upwards of $25MM. What gives?!" On this episode, Dave and Erin explore a tale as old as fundraising time that costs advancement shops a lot of time and energy: the communication breakdown bet…

On this episode, Dave and Erin talk about proposals that may give the appearance of being alive, but are actually lifeless and refuse to die. Zombie proposals: how to spot one and what to do when you realize you've got one in your portfolio. Catch more brilliance on the topic of zombie proposals…

It can be really tough to come into a new fundraising shop as the new VP. On this episode of the Talking Shop podcast, Erin and David talk about what to do when you’re the newbie at the top of the shop. Also on the menu during this convo… What to do about imposter syndrome Lively’s Theory of Dys…

Why does toxic competition exist in some shops, but not others? How can you tell if you’re working in a toxic fundraising environment or a healthy one? What factors contribute to toxic competition among fundraisers? Does incentive pay contribute to or minimize toxic competition? What role does …

The answer to the question, and the answer to most questions posed by Erin and David on the Talking Shop, is “It depends.” On this episode of Talking Shop, Erin and David talk about how to spot a “gift that eats” – as in, a major gift that will cost you millions as you run around trying very hard …

David Lively is the Senior Associate Vice President for Alumni Relations and Development and Campaign Manager at Northwestern University. He has led advancement teams at some of the highest-performing fundraising shops in the country. Erin Moran is Director of Product at EverTrue. She's a long-tim…