Paying a fundraiser a commission is a controversial issue. Many professional organizations ban the practice outright in their Codes of Ethics. Here in Israel, while such is also the practice among professional fundraisers, every week advertisements appear for commission based positions in parts of our fundraising community. From Prospecting, we bring you a recent post on the subject. We think this is a relevant and important issue in our international Jewish community. Therefore the complete post follows... When Susan Herr ran a struggling charity, she was sometimes tempted to reward her fund raisers financially for their success, not just for their effort. “My (desperate) thinking: I’ve got no money to hire someone and if this gal can bring in some funds, why ...

Rule #1: Don't become invisible If you build it, they won't just come. Building an online brand is just as important and just as difficult as building an off-line brand. Rule #2: It takes "know how" and vision Your organization's website is a marketing and fundraising tool. NOT A TECHNOLOGY TOOL. Fundraisers and marketers need to be driving the content, not the web developer. Rule #3: It's all about the donor Put the Donor First! Know your contributors, let them get to know you. Rule #4: Keep savvy donors; stay fresh & current Make online giving enjoyable and easy. Give the donor options. Use the latest technology. Show your donor how their funds are being used. Rule #5: Integrate into everything you do Your website alone will do ...

The business card he handed me a few weeks back was sleek, creative, different and expensive to produce. Just like the ultra-hip and glitzy premises I had been given a tour of earlier. He neither introduced himself as Rabbi; nor does his business card indicate such. The organization is identified as the Gaon Club; the tagline: where young Jews converge. And the web address lands you on the home page of Friends of Lubavitch UK. The name on the card, Mendy Vogel. You can imagine my surprise yesterday to come across a recent ruling by the London Beth Din: "Two Lubavitch rabbis in London have been banned from using the name of the organization in their activities and ...

We bring you a story on the importance of transparency in all we do as communal professionals. Yes, we do have a practical side to Tzedakah and among the many needs of both the donor and the organization is the need for mutual trust. This can be earned in many ways but begins with being open about mission and where the organization is deploying resources. Take a look at this Lakewood, New Jersey based charity and decide for yourself if they are open on who they really support. For the full story, http://www.kcchronicle.com