News and Notes from the Director – As of April 16, 2018
Do you wish to honor someone who has helped you with your fundraising and therefore your organizational development? Now is the time!! Please notice on our website, upper right-hand corner, the notice about the PSI awards. Several are awarded each time PSI has a conference, and the list of illustrious recipients of the past is something the NAD organizations can be proud of. Nominate someone to join that list. If you need help or information, contact me.
At the same time, see the PSI conference notice right below the awards information box. We’re getting close to this special event. Randy Fox, the planning committee chaired by David Burghart, Lorena Hernandez and other PSI staff have been working hard to provide you with a valuable and memorable experience. You will learn a lot when you attend, but will also enjoy networking and leisure activities. Register now!
The Education Department of the NAD is planning for a convention in August, and PSI has been invited to present on relevant topics. It will also be a good time to connect with PSI staff, ask questions, have one-on-one or small group meetings, and to see how fundraising fits, or should fit, into the entire organizational context. We urge you to invite your colleagues from educational institutions, and we look forward to seeing you there.
We’re sorry to lose one of our fundraisers. Patrice Hieb recently passed away and a memorial service was held at Southern Adventist University on April 7. Patrice worked at SAU and also helped some other organizations. Our condolences to family and friends, and we have good memories of having her in our ranks.
A very valuable resource is the Philanthropic Landscape Report 2017 issued by the consulting firm, CCS. It can be found here: info@ccsfundraising.com.
Do you know what motivates major donors to give to your cause? An article in the Daily Update of the Chronicle of Philanthropy (March 26, 2018) offered some research insights. Among these were:
- More than half the pledgers expressed gratitude for the good fortune they’ve experienced.
- Twenty percent of the statements said the example set by their parents inspired them to also give to charity.
- One in three statements cited joy and happiness as a motivation for philanthropy. Only one statement out of all 155 mentioned tax incentives.
Look up the article and if you don’t get the Chronicle, we can share more information about the contents. Sometimes we put too much emphasis on major donors and forget the mid-level and small donors, but we also don’t always understand how to best interact with those who can offer us the largest gifts.
Remember to nominate someone for a PSI award—it will mean a lot to that person or donor!
Until next time,
Lilya
Mobile: 317-250-8274
Until next time,
I trust that your weather is also turning more pleasant. We survived a massive windstorm and are headed into spring—saw my first daffodil!
NEW AND IMPROVED! Thanks to Charlotte Henderson, PSI’s mentoring program is vastly improved and we hope you will take a look at this exciting revision. Check this out and take the next step toward even more professional development: 
We say a sad farewell to a most valuable employee, Tandi Perkins.
As we begin a new calendar year, we at PSI wish you the best for you personally and in your significant work for each of your organizations. Please remember our sole purpose for existing is to assist you and help you do your work in the best way possible.
We repeat, PSI is here to make your professional life easier and better, and we will do all that’s possible to serve YOU and your organizations! Greetings from COLD Maryland!!
Just finished speaking at a fundraising professionals conference in North Carolina and during the lunch period a senior VP from a university updated us about tax issues. These are complicated and at times alarming issues for us, so it behooves us to be aware and knowledgeable, and maybe even take appropriate action within our professional associations. Here is the latest information from our collegial groups:
It’s time to plan year-end appeals. Contact us if you need some ideas or information.
Don’t forget that besides personal counsel that PSI provides, we have many resources such as a library and we do grant searches for you.
As promised, here is installment #3 from PSI, catching you up on a few select items about our work and clients, and also updating you on some interesting happenings in the world of philanthropy and fundraising.
Dr. Dennis Carlson is a fundraising and leadership consultant for non-profits, focusing largely on Seventh-day Adventist entities such as local churches. His experience in philanthropy includes four years as Vice President for Advancement at Walla Walla University and various fundraising initiatives within the church context during his years as a pastor and church leader. He served as Vice President for Administration in both the Washington and Upper Columbia Conferences and as President of the Minnesota Conference and the Mid-American Union Conference. He was chair of the board of Philanthropic Services for Institutions (PSI) during his time as Assistant to the President for Administration at the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists. He also served on the Advisory Committee for PSI. He earned a B.A. in Theology from Columbia Union College (Now Washington Adventist University) and a Master of Divinity degree from the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University. He earned a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Northwest Theological Union.
PSI was represented at the ASI conference and subsequently assisted several who stopped by our exhibit. We value the efforts of ASI members and are happy to help them with advice and resources whenever possible.
Until next time!