papillon, Author at Papillon

AI and Fundraising – Don’t Neglect Legal Considerations

Leave a Comment / AI, Fundraising, Non-profit Basics / papillon

In an increasingly digital world, non-profit organisations’ staff and volunteers face mounting pressure to optimise their fundraising efforts. Limited budgets and competition for donor attention and funding (particularly following USAID cuts) are making it more challenging than ever to sustain vital projects. Fortunately, advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), particularly large language models (LLMs), offer transformative […]

AI and Fundraising – Don’t Neglect Legal Considerations Read More »

Tight Times

Leave a Comment / Donors, Fundraising, Non-profit Basics / papillon

Sadly, I have written similar articles over many years, in response to major financial blows. My first was in 1985 when apartheid leader, PW Botha, did not have the courage, wisdom or humanity to cross the Rubicon (as his cruel stubbornness was dubbed). Everyone expected the announcement of the beginning of the dismantling of legislated

Tight Times Read More »

Planning Focus

Leave a Comment / NPO Management, Planning / papillon

NPO team members focus much of their time on all aspects of planning – overall strategy, project planning/updating, resource mobilisation planning – and much more. These exercises can take many hours (and if consultants are hired to bring independence and experience, can increase costs). All planning is necessary, in fact, vital. However, too often, too

Planning Focus Read More »

Trust

Leave a Comment / Funding Planning, Fundraising, Individual Donors / papillon

As the working year begins and NPO, school and tertiary fundraising staff resume their duties, the focus is on raising money. Raising more money; raising money in new/innovative ways; CEOs and boards will be stepping up their pressure and asking for updated fundraising plans: How much money will be raised? From which donors? Via which

Trust Read More »

Kindness

Leave a Comment / Kindness, Mental health, Non-profit Basics, NPO Management / papillon

I had missed reading posts and newsletters by legendary fundraising guru, Ligia Peña. And then they reappeared and were permeated by kindness. It’s a welcome global trend. How could it not be with some of YouTube’s most viewed videos featuring people such as Trevor Noah and the iconic Simon Sinek demonstrating and promoting kindness? Caring,

Kindness Read More »

AI is Here to Stay

Leave a Comment / AI, Fundraising, Non-profit Basics, Writing / papillon

The evolution of humankind has been marked by monumental milestones: the discovery and use of fire 2 million years ago; the invention of the wheel – estimated at around 4,000 BC; steam power; the Industrial Revolution; electricity; the telegram; the telephone; X-rays and massive strides in medical science; radar; computing; email; the worldwide web. The

AI is Here to Stay Read More »

Goals and Objectives

Leave a Comment / Non-profit Basics / papillon

The terms ‘goals’ and ‘objectives’ are often confused by NPO staff members and volunteers. Importantly, these are understood by donors. Therefore, it’s vital that these are clear within the NPO sector, particularly by those applying to companies and donor trusts/foundations for funding. Well-run organisations’ projects have theories of change (which should have been developed in

Goals and Objectives Read More »

Micro Volunteering

Leave a Comment / Non-profit Basics / papillon

I chair a small organisation that has had the kind assistance of someone doing its bookkeeping and the preparation of its year-end accounts from her home, for over a decade. This practise now has a name and, as it implies, micro volunteering encompasses short, flexible, and often virtual tasks that require minimal commitment from the

Micro Volunteering Read More »

Test, Test, Test

Leave a Comment / Fundraising / papillon

We are often reminded that fundraising is an art, not a science. Many of us go about resourcing our organisations differently. For instance, the most popular course I teach covers fundraising proposal writing. I share a suggested template and talk through the rationale behind and reasons for each section. But, I stress throughout this course

Test, Test, Test Read More »

Ongoing Project Funding

Leave a Comment / Fundraising / papillon

Most corporate and local trust/foundation donors fund projects for just a year at a time. Although there are a few notable exceptions, the majority of international donor trusts and foundations also restrict their giving to a year. It’s frustrating for fundraisers, CEOs and programme and project managers who want the security of sustained funding for

Ongoing Project Funding Read More »

papillon