November 2018

A Scout is Clean

Clean: spotless, scrubbed, free from unwanted material.

The Boy Scouts of America’s ethos to Leave No Trace is “…an attitude rather than a set of rules. It applies to your backyard and local park as much as in the backcountry. We should all practice this in our thinking and actions – wherever we go.”

Million-Dollar Gifts Received by Heart of America Council

Heart of America Council, Boy Scouts of America (Kansas City) has received several large gifts toward its Built on Character campaign including two $1-million gifts – one from an individual and another from a Kansas City foundation. One the most effective means available to accomplish Scouting’s mission – to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values found in the Scout Oath and Law – is through its camps and camping programs. The Built on Character campaign will support the Council’s nearly 100-year-old camps with capital expansion, maintenance, and renovation goals.

2018 U.S. Trust® Study of High Net Worth Philanthropy

The U.S. Trust® Study of High Net Worth Philanthropy reports on the giving and volunteering practices of wealthy households in the United States from the prior year. This year’s report highlights eight overarching themes from 2017: Charitable giving remains important to high net worth households; women are at the forefront of philanthropic engagement and impact; giving is being shaped by a diverse universe of donors. Go here to learn more.

Serving BSA Councils from Coast to Coast and Around the World

Kinetic has assisted Boy Scouts of America councils from coast to coast and in Europe, including the following councils:

Ask Kinetic!

Do you have a tough fundraising question?
Send your questions to askhartsook@kineticfundraising.com and we will respond by email. Your question may be featured in a future eHartsook on Scouting.

QUESTION: How can we get our current donors to increase their giving?

First, make sure you know what fundraising activities take up time and money which ones actually generate money. For example, how much money did you actually clear at your last big event? Knowing this is a first step in making decisions about what to do next. Also, make sure you’re communicating with donors beyond just asking for money. Do they know they are valued and their gifts are appreciated? Showing gratitude is one of the best ways to increase donor interest in giving larger gifts. Another way to maximize giving from existing donors is to keep your donor records updated. Then, review them for giving patterns. Are there donors who have given regular gifts or large gifts in the past, but who have not given this year? Do you know why? Get a list together and reconnect with lost prospects. Keep your eyes and ears open to learn what happened and then a develop a plan to keep it from ever happening again.

Book Deal of the Month

On the Money! (ASR Media) is an enlightening collection of success stories and lessons learned from 25 nonprofit fundraising campaigns nationwide. Click here to order On the Money! for a special price of $10 (plus shipping and handling).

Get to Know the Kinetic Team

Executive Vice President Lou Gehring was Senior Executive Director of The Shawnee Mission Medical Center Foundation from 2003 until joining Kinetic. In 2005, he launched the Foundation’s largest-ever capital campaign, raising over $30 million, followed by a successful $11-million campaign. Lou raised over $80 million during his tenure at The Shawnee Mission Medical Center Foundation. He served as President of AFP Kansas City Chapter and was chair of the Professional Advancement subcommittee of the AFP Strategic Planning Committee from 1999-2000. In 2009, Lou was honored as the Outstanding Fundraising Professional of the Year in Kansas City by the Mid America Chapter of AFP.

In 2010 Lou was given the annual Community Service Award by Shawnee Mission Medical Center. In 2017, Ingram’s Magazine named him one of 50 Kansans You Should Know. Lou holds a Master of Music degree from Southern Methodist University; an undergraduate degree from Loyola University New Orleans; and a performance certificate from El Estudio de Arte Guitarristico in Mexico City, DF, Mexico.

Strategies for Success: Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast

Whether you’re planning an event, developing a case statement or overseeing a capital campaign, here’s the take-away: Ask questions (early and often); slow down when you feel pressured; and hurry up when you have time to spare. Go here to learn strategies that can be applied to all-things-project-management.

Kinetic’s Growing Philanthropy Tour

Kinetic speakers are members of the Kinetic team of professional fundraising consultants who have, in their collective careers, raised more than $231 billion in their 300-plus years of experience. Go here to view upcoming Growing Philanthropy Tour presentations. Go here to view a sample of past presentations. To schedule a Kinetic consultant to speak at your conference or organization, email Tammy at info@kineticfundraising.com.