Zimmerman Lehman – Test Your Nonprofit I.Q.

c) In 2013: A total of $335 billion was contributed to nonprofits. Individuals gave 72%. Another 8% was donated through bequests for a total of 80% or $268 billion by individuals. Foundations gave 15% or $50 billion and corporations gave 5% or $17 billion. See GivingUSA 2104 Highlights. For the most recent edition, see https://store.givingusa.org/collections/home-page-2025/products/2025-infographic?variant=47532834160864 $592.5 Billion)

d) Board members should not be expected to draft grant proposals; that is the job of the development staff. However, if they know board members of the foundation they can and should place a call letting them know an organization of which they sit on the board is submitting a proposal. All the other options are part of the board members’ responsibilities.

c) In fact, board members fear being too emotional, thinking that they can simply make the case with a dry recitation of facts and figures. Not so!

d) People give money to people (they know); it is always best to ask someone you know for a major gift. Major donor solicitation is a competitive business; while you don’t have to use eleven colors of ink and the fanciest paper in creation, you do need to represent your nonprofit effectively. To find a major donor you should start by reviewing past donors.

d) In addition to the above fundraising responsibilities Zimmerman Lehman also believes board members should assist in recruiting new board members with fundraising capabilities.

c) A variety of professional skills can help guarantee the success of your development efforts. In addition to those mentioned above you should keep a keen eye on diversity as this is critical to your efforts. And of course, individuals who are movers and shakers in your community, be they entertainers, high-powered professionals, or simply people of great wealth, are central to your organization’s fundraising efforts.

d) The current trend for funders and donors (exacerbated by the media) is to examine carefully overhead expenses [the ratio of spending on programs (services) versus spending on administration (management) and fundraising]. There are wide discrepancies in how this information is reported. Percentage amounts customarily range from 15% to 45%. Being accountable means ensuring these figures are reported accurately.

a) Donors are not really interested in failure. Just like any other investor they prefer to hear about success.

c) One new trait, a current buzz phrase that was just coming on the scene ten years ago, is EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE (EI). Some call this a “gut instinct or an innate sense about what others are feeling.” It used to be called empathy or intuition but now google EI and you get over one million hits. “EI” includes identifying, using, understanding and managing emotions. Both Oprah and Madonna can read a crowd like no one else and their EI is part of what makes them both successful. Being able to read people (know what they want or need) is invaluable. Those million hits will tell you that if your are not born with this instinct you can learn it!

d) In most cases, it is advisable to ask someone who is not currently on your board to serve as capital campaign committee chair. This person must have substantial financial resources himself/herself, community “clout,” and the willingness to serve as “point person” for the campaign.

c) Make it easy for the foundation to see that your program matches their priorities by telling them that it does: “Our program matches all three of the ABC Foundation’s interests because it is (a) preK-12 education targeting (b) children/youth at risk with (c) a focus on literacy.” In fact you should echo the foundation’s language. Read through the annual report to learn preferred phrases. For example, use the phrase “pre-K education” or “infant and toddler education”, whichever they use. Use “conservation” or “environment,” whichever they do.

e) All of the above.
If your answers to the above questions are “Yes, no, no and they’d rather face root canal than ask for major gifts,” you’re probably not ideally situated to conduct a capital campaign. The fact that you need a building, a piece of land or a piece of equipment does not necessarily mean that you should launch a capital campaign.

c) ZimNotes readers know that a recent study said, “People who donate their dollars to nonprofits or splurge on gifts for others are more content than those who squander all the dough on themselves.” There is a wealth-happiness connection but apparently it is weaker than the lasting cheer that comes from giving to others. Another study indicating that giving reduces the odds of an early death by nearly 60% compared with those who didn’t lend a helping hand.

b) Decisions should be summarized and recorded (with votes), as should all the actions that anyone agreed to do with a “who said they would do what, and when.” This last point is often neglected and encourages a lack of accountability. Ridiculously long, “he said/she said” minutes are a waste of every one’s time. There may be an exception for a controversial decision or a very long and strategic discussion, but generally all discussions/decisions should be no more than one to two paragraphs.