Graham-Pelton

We’ve all been there: The edict comes from above. There’s a massive million-dollar campus investment happening, and you’re on the hook to support it through philanthropy! ?? What about capacity? Prospect data? Historical benchmarks? Doesn’t matter… it’s happening, and it’s up to YOU to figure out how philanthropy fits in. Sound familiar? ?? We see this all the time with clients. Significant investments move forward, often without the data we typically rely on—no wealth screening, no prospect analysis, and a community not known for major gifts. So, how do you set a test goal that’s both ambitious and realistic in this kind of scenario? Click through for advice. And follow us for more. ?? #GoalSetting #Fundraising #GrahamPelton

?? Celebrating Growth at Graham-Pelton! ?? At Graham-Pelton, we believe that when our people thrive, our clients thrive—and nothing makes us prouder than seeing our team members grow, lead, and make an even greater impact. This month, we’re celebrating the incredible colleagues who have earned well-deserved promotions, recognizing their expertise, dedication, and commitment to elevating philanthropy. ?? Alexis Haupert, Meredith (Westerlund) Schneider, David Greig, Pamela Rossi, Jamie Pugh ?? Stay tuned as we shine a spotlight on each of them and their promotion! We'll share their achievements, client successes, and the unique ways they help nonprofits fundraise with confidence and clarity. Join us in celebrating their growth and impact—because at Graham-Pelton, we invest in our people, and they make all the difference.

Using generative AI tools for fundraising can significantly enhance your outreach, especially with strategic prompt engineering. ?? Take ChatGPT for example: By refining your prompts, you can generate tailored content that aligns with your goals—like crafting emails or social media posts (not this one of course ??) that highlight specific initiatives, fundraising targets, or matching gifts. The more specific you get with your prompts, the better the response. Just remember to protect privacy by avoiding sharing sensitive data, as ChatGPT stores conversations to improve future models. ?? Ready to optimize your fundraising efforts with smart prompts? Learn how: https://lnkd.in/g8yukCRk #AI #ChatGPT #fundraising #thoughtleadership

A heartfelt thank you to Women In Development, New York for hosting an inspiring forum, bringing together industry leaders to engage, challenge, and elevate the conversation. At Graham-Pelton, we are honored to support and empower women who bring their unique strengths into fundraising— leading with vision, collaboration, and impact. This Women’s History Month, we celebrate the women shaping philanthropy and driving transformational change. Our clients, like the Black Women's Health Imperative, Miss Hall's School, and Dana Hall School exemplify the power of women-led philanthropy in action. ?? Here’s to the women making history, this month and every day. #WomensHistoryMonth #WomenInFundraising #WIDNY

Donor Trust Takes Time. Is Your Team Sticking Around to Earn It? Fundraisers don’t hit their stride overnight. Research shows their impact increases dramatically after four years in an organization. Why? Because real donor trust—the kind that unlocks transformational gifts—is built through relationships. This takes time and requires consistency. ? Yet fundraisers keep leaving, often for better pay and career growth elsewhere. When they walk, they take institutional knowledge, donor connections, and untapped potential with them. ?? The Solution: Stop the churn. Build a retention strategy that rewards growth, fosters mentorship, and keeps fundraisers invested. Because keeping your best people often means keeping your best donors. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dKguPCVp #Nonprofit #Leadership #Fundraising #DonorTrust #Retention

??Attention fundraising leaders!?? Are your managers clear on expectations and empowered to take ownership? ???? Shifting from a task-based to an outcome-driven leadership model can be transformative. Engage your managers in setting their own success metrics, moving them from compliance to commitment. ???? Leadership coaching and mentorship can build confidence in making strategic decisions. Help your managers see themselves as leaders—not just task executors. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gxYNTtbw #thoughtleadership #leadership #fundraisers

We are thrilled to have Graham-Pelton as an executive sponsor of the WID Forum in New York this March! Graham-Pelton is?focused on women donors because they are changing the narrative, and set to gift billions to nonprofits.

"Leadership isn’t innate—it’s cultivated."?- Laura Stoffel McGarry, Managing Principal As a university leader, you set the tone for your institution’s culture, strategy, and long-term financial sustainability. You rely on your advancement team to build strong donor relationships, secure philanthropic support, and drive transformational giving. But have you considered whether your top fundraiser is equipped to lead? Many Vice Presidents for Advancement and Chief Development Officers are promoted because they are excellent fundraisers. But leading a university advancement operation requires more than fundraising expertise—it requires leadership training and intentional development. Without it, even the best fundraisers can struggle to build high-performing teams, shape institutional strategy, and sustain long-term growth. Read our latest article to learn why investing in leadership development isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity for universities looking to strengthen philanthropy and ensure long-term success. #HigherEdLeadership #UniversityAdvancement #Fundraising

We’re pleased to be a sponsor of the CASE District I Annual Conference, happening in Boston! ?? This conference is the perfect place to explore new strategies, gain fresh insights, and connect with industry leaders in advancement. ?? Whether you're looking to refine your advancement practices, dive into leadership trends, or discover innovative strategies, we’d love to chat with you! ?? Don't miss the chance to network with professionals and learn from some of the best in the field. ?? Be sure to stop by booth #105 and meet Meredith (Westerlund) Schneider and Alexander C. Senchak. We look forward to seeing you there! #CASE2025 #advancement #fundraising

?? Attention education fundraisers! ?? ?? Head-of-school transitions are pivotal moments—and when the outgoing leader was the driving force behind a campaign, the stakes feel even higher. Should the campaign move forward or be sunset early? It’s a tough call, and the answer often lies in how well the school can reframe and refocus the effort. ?? Here’s a thought: Instead of thinking of this as a roadblock, treat it as a chance to recalibrate. Campaign priorities set by one leader don’t have to disappear with them. They can evolve. Take the time to assess whether those priorities still reflect the school’s most pressing needs and its community’s appetite for giving. Donors will take their cues from you. If you lead with confidence and clarity, showing that the campaign remains aligned with the school’s mission, they’re likely to stay engaged. Transparency is critical—acknowledge the leadership change, explain how the campaign fits into the school’s ongoing vision, and make space for donor feedback. Interim leaders are often underestimated in moments like these. While they may not set a bold new course, they can be powerful stewards of stability. Engage them in reinforcing the vision, connecting with stakeholders, and ensuring momentum doesn’t stall. If the decision leans toward sunsetting, frame it as a successful chapter rather than an unfinished story. Celebrate what’s been achieved, share tangible outcomes, and build a bridge to the future under new leadership. Transitions can be messy, but they’re also opportunities to strengthen trust and reimagine what’s next. How have you approached these moments? I’d love to read your insights in the comments. #Leadership #Transitions #Fundraising #CampaignStrategy #DonorEngagement #SchoolLeadership