Throughout my fundraising career,
I found myself lacking the training and discipline to ensure my progress and continuing achievements as a successful fundraiser.
This, despite having finished graduate school, attended hours of training, and twice recognized as a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE). These were all sufficient for ensuring that I had the explicit knowledge necessary for passing a test and certainly enhanced my resume.
However, they couldn’t ensure my success at the lunch table while soliciting a major gift, and they were insufficient for demonstrating to my boss that I was making the best decisions--and making progress when I wasn’t returning to the office with a check
When I began supervising fundraisers,
I encountered a similar predicament: I lacked the methods to clearly demonstrate how fundraising really works and to evaluate their progress without becoming a tyrant.
I was frustrated with the resources available to my team – resources that prepared them only for a complicated yet fairly predictable world.
I knew I was guilty of relying on 19th- and 20th-century methods in a 21st-century reality.
Fundraising has a long history in the sector as only being bolted on when times get tough
An organization rarely takes the time to ensure that fundraising is an essential part of its identity from the beginning. With the help of Responsive, nonprofits are turning back the clock in order to create places where fundraising can thrive.
“Sector leaders should acquiesce to Jason Lewis’ brand of disruption and innovation, heed his warnings and courageously consider his counsel.”
Greg Warner, Founder OF MarketSmarT & Author of Engagement Fundraising
“Jason is clearly on a mission to ensure that organizations have a shared understanding of how fundraising really works.”
Julie Sootin, Executive Director, Association of Development Officers
Lewis Fundraising is a CFRE-approved provider for continuing education.
Jason Lewis provides the sector with an often-needed contrarian voice, willing to question deeply ingrained beliefs and assumptions about how effective fundraising really works.
Whether writing or speaking, Jason challenges the prevailing wisdom about effective fundraising practices, hiring decisions, and donor behavior.
Jason has been certified and re-certified as a Certified Fundraising Executive, recognized as a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Master Trainers, and teaches nonprofit management and social entrepreneurship at York College of Pennsylvania.