On Thursday 28 th February, I attended the Fundraising Institute of Australia (FIA) Conference in Melbourne, thanks to Benefolk.

When you go on a first date, you’re trying to find things in common to talk about. Footy club, favourite food, music, mutual dislike of Justin Bieber; you’re trying to create affinity with your date and find things that you share.

A Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) solution is called many names in fundraising marketplace. A database, fundraising system, and, of course, a CRM. There are vast differences between a database or a fundraising systemand a CRM. Whereas a database or fundraising system simply stores data related to your non-profit organisation, university, or school, a CRM is process and workflow driven.

Often our best major gift prospects are hidden in plain sight. But how do you find them and prioritise your approaches? My advice - always start closest to home. Take a look at your database, your organisation and your networks.

Specialist consultants and coaches from Benefolk recently shared their predictions in Fundraising and Philanthropy Magazine (Dec/Jan edition). Check out what they see on the horizon.

I first met Leanne Hart at a workshop in the first part of 2018. Listening to her across the table talk about her connection to social purpose and to change-makers warmed my heart. I instantly felt these words emerge in my head – 'heartsmart women and men – and that's the collective I wanted to build. Here's a few questions I posed to Leanne recently so you can get to know her.

Let’s be honest, a pug isn’t the best-looking dog. It’s got a face that looks like it’s been hit with a brick, it wheezes like an asthmatic in a pollen storm and it won’t be qualifying for agility trials anytime soon. But clearly there are thousands of owners who see beyond its limitations and can’t wait to add a pug to the family home.  

“Dear Adam, I am a control freak. I have lists of my lists, plan everything I do, have five savings accounts for different potential problems, arrange my sock draw by size, colour and age and account for virtually every minute of my day"

It seems we are meant to want to change the world. No longer just the purview of beauty queens giving vapid speeches about saving the children, now we are awash in exhortations to live a “life of purpose” and to “make a difference”. 

Dear Adam, I read your article on trauma and it made sense. I’ve realised that I was far more resourceful and resilient than I thought, and this has helped me move past a lot of pain and symptoms. However, I can’t get past wanting to make the person who abused me pay for it.