March 2020

Doing the Right Thing

So, this Covid-19 thing has everyone very concerned. And rightfully so. Where I work, we have had to temporarily lay off over 480 hard-working folks as we shuttered most of our operations. At the time, we are doing the right thing. But, in the fundraising world, I have seen the best in people. People...

Covid-19 & Fundraising

March 20, 2020 0 jack silverstein HR Leadership Philanthropy Prospects and Donors

Never in my life have I ever seen a situation as we find ourselves in right now. Admittedly, I was less than a stellar student at university (oftentimes, my classes interfered with drinks at the Elbow Room). I do, however, remember an introductory Social Science class that spoke of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. That...

Feb. & March are Tough

March 13, 2020 0 jack silverstein Philanthropy

I have noticed over the past while that the Winter Blahs seem to pervade the fundraising industry. Many charities see a huge upswing in pledge payments/donations at the end of the calendar year. That is quickly followed by a general lull in donations in Q1 — the January/February/March timeframe. The reason is pretty logical...

Job Interview Homework Assignments

March 6, 2020 0 jack silverstein HR Philanthropy

Job Interviews are hugely stressful events — both for the interviewee and the interviewer. This is probably one of my least favorite tasks as a manager because it is so hard to put aside any preconceived notions I may have about the individual and concentrate fully on their responses. That’s why I like homework...