OP ED PIECE: NONPROFITS’ SURVIVAL DEPENDS ON INDIVIDUAL DONORS

Laurel Kimball, Principal of The Phoenix Philanthropy Group, and Steve Zastrow, Of Counsel, authored an op ed piece that appeared in the Phoenix Business Journal.

“The nonprofit sector’s success, failure or falter ultimately rests with us.”

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July 2009
Copyright ©2009 Phoenix Business Journal

EVENT: Panel of Experts Offers Fundraising Advice in a Bad Economy

Richard Tollefson, President of The Phoenix Philanthropy Group, served as moderator for a panel of Phoenix-based fundraising experts who spoke on the topic of fundraising best practice and fundraising challenges in a bad economy at Thunderbird School of Global Management on May 15, 2009. The American Express Foundation sponsored this executive education course.

“The five areas of focus the group recommended: start with your board; build relationships; tell a compelling story; use the Internet; keep people informed… [The panel included] Brian Spicker, senior vice president of community impact, Valley of the Sun United Way; Carolyn O’Malley, executive director, Dorrance Family Foundation; Lisa Budinger, CEO, Arizona College Scholarship Fund; Cindy Schwab-Salem, major gifts director, Opportunity International; and Christa Burkhalter, director of corporate affairs and communications, American Express.”

May 15, 2009
Copyright ©2009 Phoenix Business Journal

ARTICLE: Charities Fear Tax Changes for Donors

Richard Tollefson, President of The Phoenix Philanthropy Group, was quoted in an East Valley Tribune story on how tax changes for donors might impact nonprofits:

“As president of The Phoenix Philanthropy Group, [Richard Tollefson Jr.] advises about 40 clients from around the world. He said that studies show the primary reason people give is the charity's mission, not tax incentive. ‘Changes in tax policy are almost always seen as a threat,’ Tollefson said. ‘But tax breaks don't dictate what people give. For the majority of them, it's about the connection with a charity's mission.’ ”

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March 6, 2009
Copyright ©2009 Freedom Communications

ARTICLE: The Pig Give

Laurel Kimball, Principal of The Phoenix Philanthropy Group, was featured in a Phoenix Magazine article on tapping into your inner-philanthropist:

“Instead of donating randomly, find the issues that are most important to you, then find the organizations that most closely align with those issues, [advises] Kimball. ‘When there’s a match, the donor gets a lot of personal satisfaction. I think there’s a lot of joy and feeling of fulfillment. Donors usually don’t respond when an organization says, ‘We need this.’ Donors respond when they are presented with a vision that matches their values and that furthers something they care about.’ ”

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August 2008
Copyright ©2008 Phoenix Magazine

ARTICLE: Finding a Good Fundraiser

Laurel Kimball, Principal of The Phoenix Philanthropy Group, authored an article in CASE Currents magazine about recruiting fundraising talent in an environment where demand outpaces supply:

“The best fundraisers are equally personable, analytical, and disciplined, so hiring a good fundraiser is like finding a needle in a haystack” writes Kimball… “Even so, the consensus among advancement leaders and recruitment firms is that institutions that do their homework can land that one-in-a-million fundraiser. They just have to look for the right personality traits and skills and be committed to advancing that individual’s leadership and career growth.”

July/August 2008
Copyright ©2008 Council for Advancement and Support of Education

ARTICLE: Finding a Good Fundraiser

Laurel Kimball, Principal of The Phoenix Philanthropy Group, authored an article that appeared in the May/June 2008 issue of Advancing Philanthropy.

“Do your volunteers and board members backpedal, hem and haw and change the subject at the mere mention of getting involved in fundraising activities? Are they more comfortable giving their own gifts than asking someone else for one? Don’t worry. Their reactions are perfectly normal.”

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July/August 2008
Copyright ©2008 Council for Advancement and Support of Education