Governance. Strategic planning. Leadership. Mission. Vision. Volunteers. Professionals. Engagement. Involvement. Ownership. Fundraising. Capacity. Inclination. Personalization. Segmentation. Constituent relations. Communications, printed and electronic. Concentric circles.

These words and others pop to mind when I think about applying Browning Associates’ four-decade-old philosophy of total development to not-for-profit organizations. We believe in the organic wholeness of all aspects of institutions and their tight linkage to fundraising success.

Extrapolating current trends, Browning Associates also believes that those institutions that will achieve the most total voluntary support year in and year out will no longer concern themselves with the decades-old debate between proponents of ongoing capital fundraising and the traditional capital campaign with its finite time frame. Instead, they will merge the two philosophies. They will run aggressive, personalized, and segmented annual funds every year; they will always be identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding capital prospects and donors; they will always be building personal relationships with supporters; they will always be presenting to their constituencies planned giving opportunities; they will always be communicating their successes to the outside world electronically and in print; and from time to time they will heighten the visibility of their institutions through inclusive celebrations marking milestones, strengthening reputation, and building deeper loyalty.

With years of experience, my colleagues at Browning Associates and I thrive on the excitement and challenge of guiding institutions into this next-generation approach, and we point with pride to our firm’s history and reputation in the consulting world.

Nat Follansbee
President