A Baker’s Dozen: New Year Resolutions for the Development Officer

Post By James V. Toscano

1. I will always remember that it’s the donor’s money.

2. I will always remember that fundraising is about the donor, not me.

3. I will always remember that donors need to be thanked and feel wanted as a vital element in the organization.

4. I will learn to cherish volunteers.

5. I will always remember that Board members can often be very helpful.

6. I will always remember that individual, personal peer solicitation gets the best results and should be the model for all that I do.

7. I will always remember to do all that I do with enthusiasm, energy and ethics.

8. I will always remember that sitting in my office is not the activity for which I am paid.

9. I will always remember to not only plan but to actually ask for a gift, always asking for a specific amount, perhaps more than once a year.

10. I will always remember that there are many ways for a gift to be given.

11. I will learn that demographic change means significant change in our future constituency.

12. I will always remember that there is something new to learn every day, starting, perhaps, with Spanish.

13. I will always remember to never say die.

Happy 2012!