Episode 7: Optimal fundraiser portfolios

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 …

“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…

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 …

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…