Carl Sylvestre Consulting

Notes from the Field

The process of making connections between the challenges presented by each project and how they inform each other is at the heart of these on-going series of newsletters.

Sometimes they are lessons learned from experience and other times they are reflections on adopting utopian management ideas and putting them into action.

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Past newsletters

In Defense of Planning

Fri, 25 Jun 2010

By Carl Sylvestre, Carl Sylvestre Consulting

When does good planning come to fruition? Sadly it is at a time when you least expect it. Then the worst-case scenario must be put into action.

In good or even ordinary times worst-case scenarios are often seen remote and the idea of sound planning is viewed as a luxury. If things are going well, why stop and map out a sustainable future, just keep the wheels turning.

Death and Taxes: Fundraisers Brothers in Arms

Thu, 20 May 2010

By Carl Sylvestre, Carl Sylvestre Consulting

We’ve heard it many times. There are two things in life we can’t avoid – death and taxes. Fundraisers are quick to point out that contributions to a not-for-profit organization are tax deductible -- it’s in the direct mail, the gala invitation and it is often part of the final pitch to seal a gift. We like to remind contributors that in addition to supporting a good deed, they get the chance to reduce those awful tax bills. Everyone wins.

In our tax code, death also has great benefits for not-for-profit organizations, but it is often less spoken about. Saving money on your taxes is one thing, thinking about a donors’ death well that’s treading dangerous territory.

Just Tell Them What You Do

Sat, 01 May 2010

By Carl Sylvestre, Carl Sylvestre Consulting
Like a number of my peers, whenever possible I responded to the financial requests from various agencies addressing a specific issue within the diaspora community or at the epicenter of the crisis in Port-au-Prince. However, to date I have been surprised by the lack of follow-up from most of these organizations. Just as Haiti is fading from the headlines, they now have a great opportunity to keep me engaged about their work and let me know the personal stories and the many struggles on the scene.

COMING AT YOU: COMPILING DATA FROM THE "YOU" GENERATION

Wed, 10 Feb 2010

By Carl Sylvestre, Carl Sylvestre Consulting

In 2006, Time magazine chose as its Person of the Year the millions of anonymous contributors of user-generated content to Wikipedia, You Tube, MySpace, Facebook, Second Life, the Linux operating system, and the multitudes of other websites featuring user contribution. The choice was personified simply as You. Not-for-profit organizations have responded to this movement and now most websites have social network links to promote their events and services, and raise money. But in my daily contacts few organizations have figured out in concrete terms what they aim to accomplish with these tools and how to collect the data.

LET THEM HEAR YOU (AT THE RIGHT TIME)

Sun, 13 Dec 2009

By Carl Sylvestre, Carl Sylvestre Consulting

From the moment we wake up, it often seems that everyone wants our attention and to influence our next action. Every organization expects people to know that they are providing an invaluable service and know that the competition is fierce. How do you get ahead of these competitors?

OPPORTUNITIES IN A DOWNTURN ECONOMY FOR NOT FOR PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

By Carl Sylvestre, Carl Sylvestre Consulting

Mon, 14 Sep 2009

The daily headlines continue to paralyze us as we watch dreams evaporate and fear of dark times ahead. However, I take the point of view that even in a downturn economy there are opportunities for most organizations if we stay focus on mission and start planning for better times today.

GETTING STARTED ON A DEVELOPMENT PLAN

Tue, 01 Sep 2009

By Carl Sylvestre, Carl Sylvestre Consulting

A simple act of courage is all that is needed to start your fundraising plan. Once an early version of a budget is created, most members of the development team know what they are responsible for raising in the next fiscal year.

THE VALUE OF A FUNDRAISING PLAN

Sat, 15 Aug 2009

By Carl Sylvestre, Carl Sylvestre Consulting

A question that I am often asked is “what is the value of a fundraising plan?” Isn’t it another task that requires a lot of time and efforts and those are always scarce? I believe that having a comprehensive development plan is the best investment that a development staff can make at the beginning of a fiscal year. It adds value to your organization because it becomes the central nervous system of your activities.

ADDING A FUNDRAISING PLAN TO YOUR ANNUAL OPERATIONS

Wed, 15 Jul 2009

By Carl Sylvestre, Carl Sylvestre Consulting

A new fiscal year is full of hope and uncertainties and as usual the big question is “will we have the funding to achieve the goals over the next twelve months?” For many organizations this maybe the only time until the frantic closing months of the fiscal year that these questions are seriously considered, unless there is an unforeseen major catastrophe. In good or bad times, vigilance is delegated to the finance office. The development staff is usually asked to supply up to date fundraising information as needed, when it is required in a grant application, or just before a board meeting. Is this the most efficient way to make sure that the resources are in place to accomplish the important services that we have to deliver?