Dan Butler |
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I was trained in the "Resident Director Approach" to campaigns
whereby the fundraising firm employed by the institution would
assign a full time director for the duration of the campaign.
While often effective, I believed this approach to be very costly
especially for the smaller agencies and rather inefficient since
there were times during the campaign when 90% of the Campaign
Directors time was being spent on that segment of the campaign
which would produce just 10% of the campaign goal.
I also had another reservation. Many times the individual making the sales presentation on behalf of the consulting firm would not be the person "assigned" to the campaign. Thus, you might be hiring a "firm" based on the presentation of one individual without knowing the person assigned to your campaign with whom you would be working. Because of the importance of compatibility and "chemistry," this is always a bad idea. You must know not only the firm you are hiring but also the person assigned to your campaign. You must have the opportunity to interview that person and check references so that you know what you are "buying".
I felt that there had to be a better way.
With that in mind, we established a firm which shunned the Campaign Director approach and developed a strategy through which an experienced consultant spending a limited number of days per month could accomplish basically the same result at a greatly reduced cost and in a shorter period of time.
It was on that theory that in 1977 our firm was established. At the time it was a unique and even revolutionary concept but over the years, based on our success and the results we have achieved, we know that it works!
Having the opportunity to work in a profession where you can advance the cause of important organizations, work with committed volunteers and in the process leave tangible and measurable results which will survive long after you have passed on, has not only been fabulous but great fun. What could be better……in a career or in a life?
It has been a great and adventure packed ride!
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| About Daniel Butler |
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Established firm in 1977 | |
Higher Education Fundraising Consultant to State of New York State.
| | Faculty of NYU's Center for Philanthropy. Has authored many articles on various fundraising and development issues.
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Has worked with colleges,
universities, hospitals, art institutions
and youth service organizations including
43 Boys & Girls Clubs. |
| Developed "Consultant Approach to Managing Capital Campaigns" as opposed to the traditional "Resident Director" approach. With the consultant approach, an experienced development professional spending a limited number of days per month is able to manage successfully a capital campaign at dramatically reduced cost to the client.
| | Married, 2 children, resident NYC.
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