Service Overview - Clairification

What Can We Do Together?

To be the change we want to see in the world takes vision, leadership, information and wisdom.

You’ve got it; I want to help you flaunt it! I’m passionate about helping people and organizations play to their strengths and repair the world. What’s holding you back?

I can help! Call on me to coach, train, consult, assess, evaluate, speak and take on defined projects. I can work with you on-site or remotely, and am also available for convenient one-hour phone coaching and consultation to address specific and pressing challenges.

Ways we can work together include:

EXECUTIVE AND CAREER COACHING

Everyone can use a mentor. You deserve one! Someone you work with deserves one! Coaching can be a great way to define the real problem you’re facing, and then develop a practical plan to get to the roots of what’s holding you (or someone on your staff) back. And what is learned can then be passed on to others – creating tentacle-like benefits that spread across the entire organization. We can set up an ongoing relationship where I’m almost like ancillary staff, or we can talk for as little as one hour. Coaching is flexible and cost-effective.

Looking for a new role? Let’s look together! Whether you’re new to the sector or already in it, but just aren’t as happy as you’d like to be, I love helping people find the job they’re meant to be doing. Just need a quick review of your resume or cover letter? Want to know how to promote your transferable skills? Need help assessing your strengths? Let’s chat!

CONSULTING

Consulting is a bit like coaching on steroids. We take a holistic view of what’s keeping you up at night; then develop a practical plan of attack to help you sleep easier. It begins with fact finding; then moves on to plan development and implementation. Together we’ll clearly define the scope of the project, outline your objectives and work together to build a project plan and budget that meets your needs.

TRAINING/SPEAKING

A one-time presentation or workshop can give you the understanding and oomph you need to move forward. I love to teach. When I worked in the trenches, my staff would tell me “Claire, you’re running your own fundraising school on the side, and we’re your lucky students.” I was honored; now I’m doing it full time — it’s truly my calling and passion! When I learn something, I want to pass it along. Since I love to learn, you can be sure I’ll always have a lot to share. You’ll get not only tried-and-true techniques I’ve tested during 30+ years on the ground, but also the newest strategies, best practices and trends I’m learning every day.

E-GUIDES

This is condensed, affordable, easy-to-digest, targeted learning. You’ll find many options with lots of practical tips, checklists and worksheets to help you acquire the knowledge and skills you need – step-by-step.

HOUR OF POWER

Sometimes you just want to bat around a few ideas or share a particular problem you’ve been unable to resolve. Rather than hire me for a big block of time, an hour is often all it takes. I know not everyone has a big budget for consulting, training, coaching and mentoring. But that doesn’t mean that everyone can’t use a little help now and then.

WEBINARS/PODCASTS

Some people learn best this way. It’s also an alternative to an on-site presentation, which can be more expensive. I can present on a wide range of topics, depending on your needs and interests. Let’s talk!

What Will We Accomplish Together?

You tell me which arrangement works best for your personal style and budget. I’m not rigid. We can combine them. Here are some of the things I can help you with:

Energize your board.
Invigorate your staff.
Figure out why what you’re doing isn’t working.
Discover what you really want/need to accomplish, and how to get there.
Audit your existing development and communications infrastructure, staffing, plans and materials and suggest improvements.
Integrate your business, marketing and fundraising strategic plans.
Revitalize and modernize your annual giving program.
Build a major gifts and/or legacy giving program.
Develop kick-ass fundraising pitches, case statements and thank you letters.
Improve your donor retention program to put you on the road to long-term sustainability.
Rejuvenate your branding and identity strategy.
Review your social media strategy and management.
Write and edit copy for website, e-news, online and offline appeals.
Recruit, hire, train and mentor development and marketing staff.
Career consultation for transitioning communications, marketing, sales, and fundraising professionals.

Contact me to discuss how we can work together to move your organization forward. If you’d like to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation, please click here.

If you’d just like to grab a quick ‘Hour of Power’ go right ahead. It’s amazing what we can get done in 60 short minutes – especially when you send me questions and materials to review in advance. So feel free to check out how this works!

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING

Engaging your help was such a huge pivot moment for me and the Board.
Sometimes there are these moments in life that you only realize in retrospect were miracles – and that is exactly how I look back at that decision to work with you on our fundraising engine!

– Julia Wilson, E.D., OneJustice–

Utmost integrity and a brilliant mind
Claire is a superb professional, deep thinker and creative spirit in the service of philanthropy. I have worked with her in a variety of roles for nearly two decades, and have admired and supported her work. She is a person of utmost integrity, and a brilliant mind.

– Kay Grace, Principal, Transforming Philanthropy

A pile of experience – having done it all and having seen it all
She has a pile of experience – having done it all and having seen it all. Yet she thinks precisely, writes clearly and focuses on substance instead of appearance. Her feet are on the ground. Her advice is solid. She is interested in addressing issues and serving nonprofit leaders – not in hyping issues and impressing those leaders.

– John Burke, Founder, VisABILITY

A beautiful and spot-on blend of the many threads that make up the best fundraising efforts: the nurturing of relationships (including board members), strategic communications, staff development, storytelling, brand dentity… I highly recommend Claire’s blog to my students in an online course for nonprofit managers enrolled at the University of California Los Angeles.

– Mariana P. Danelly, J.D., Principal, NonprofitMD

Brilliant, Claire! Well done.

– Tom Ahern, Ahern Donor Communications

Claire is a fundraising ninja

Joanne Fritz

Nonprofit Charitable Organizations Guide, About.com

Engaging your help was such a huge pivot moment for me and the Board. We would never – not in a million years – have even dreamed of doing a significant challenge at our event without all of the teaching, support, resources and guidance that you brought to us. Sometimes there are these moments in life that you only realize in retrospect were miracles – and that is exactly how I look back at that decision to work with you on our fundraising engine!

Julia Wilson, E.D.

OneJustice

Your piece on attrition, Claire, is dynamite. Amazing. It’s precisely on target. Congratulations.

Jerry Panas

CEO / Jerold Panas, Linzy & Partners

Brilliant summary of the whole “story v. stats” thing, Claire. Thank you.

Tom Ahern

Principal / Ahern Donor Communications

Claire Axelrad has been a highly effective fundraiser for over 30 years and her blog is just a wealth of wisdom. What’s particularly notable about Clairification is that although the work is based on decades of past experience, Claire is always looking forward as well. She was the first among her veteran fundraising peers to embrace online and social fundraising and is now one of their most sensible and insightful proponents. She’s a great resource!

Keith Heller

CEO / Heller Consulting

You have been absolutely terrific to work with. Your roadmap and assessment of where we are and where we can go has been so instrumental in having the board stop and think about our future. Your audit is allowing us to move forward in tangible ways to improve our work so that we may help more clients in need of our services. I will count you among my many blessings throughout the year.

Silvia Argueta

E.D. / Los Angeles Legal Aid Foundation

I’m subscribed to a million fundraising blogs and the one I consistently open and read most of, is yours. The content is always carefully curated and helpful, not just sales pitch after sales pitch for your own stuff. You stand out, in a good way.

Juliane McLean

Development Coordinator / Bridgercare

You are one of the few fundraising experts that I read faithfully, and we have no shortage of those who publish regularly. But your material is always thoughtful and realistic. Thank you for your candor and good advice.

Richard Ajulani

, Senior Director Individual Gifts / LifeMoves

We have been loving the work of Claire Axelrad since we came across her work, every blog of hers is insightful, well thought out and enlightening.

Good Eggs Storytellers

Most lucid, most succinct checklist I have read on the engagement process. This is the best. Should be required reading for all concerned with major gift solicitation.

Giles Pegram, CBE

Fundraising Consultant / London, England

You are a forever flowing fountain of enormous information and a wealth of ideas. Thanks for being there for all of us small non-profits

Sharon Coleman

St. Francis House

I read your newsletter all the time and find your advice “spot on” and always usable. I pass it on consistently to the staff and other board members. I really appreciate all you do to help nonprofits. Thanks.

Hal Leeds

, Partner Global Sales & Marketing Consultancy / Working to Eliminate Poverty and Educational Inequality

You remind me about what is most important and why I love this profession. I just discovered you and your blog about three weeks ago and I wanted to write today to say thank you for sharing your wisdom and expertise. I find your posts, new and old, so spot on. You nail it.

– Heather Wardle CFRE

Vancouver BC

Everybody involved in philanthropy should read these articles slowly and with a very opened mind and a willingness to take from them the necessary components to change the manner and techniques we presently use in order to embrace what philanthropy is all about “Love”. I have no doubt it would be transformational.

Tom Walsh

Business Development Exec / Active Retirement Ireland

Suggest subscribing. Thanks, Claire! I am a regular- and I have forwarded your thoughtful and inspiring column and as well. Keep up the good work.

Margot Harrigan

Corporate Development Officer / Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley

I came across your website and I hit the goldmine! I was asked to join a board and found I need to understand how to build a donor base from the ground up. I searched, only to find expensive consultants or free info that didn’t offer any helpful information. Thank you for sharing so much valuable information!!

Erica Martinez

Claire, you consistently remind me of the proven basic facts of fundraising!! Thank you!! I consistently share them with our team and with the newbie fundraisers I am mentoring.

Margie McCurry

Fund Builders Alliance

Could not make it any easier… Claire Axelrad straightforwardly tells social media/marketing managers of nonprofit organizations that they need to change how they communicate with

UMV

Charity Chatter

Many thanks – this is terrific, impressive data! You are an impressive source. And I’ve been around a long time.

Sara Becker

Oakland Zoo

Wow! Inspiration out the wazoo! Many thanks — I keep up with trends and lots of blog-posts to stay on top of my game. This goes way beyond technique and reaches deep inside to remind me why I’ve done this work for 40 years!

Pam Montgomery

Executive Director / Community Foundation of the Gunnison Valley

Thank you for your brilliant blog. I have been a follower for many years and learnt so much from you. Ultimately, it translates into many more families getting the support they deserve. You help me raise more money for my UK charity. Please never stop bringing the best out of me! You’re special.

Anna Henry

Eric.org

Exactly what our profession can use – clarification –- the title of your blog. You help us keep faith with the past while making sense of the present and future. You have a balanced and respectful understanding of what this is all about. Thanks.

James M. Schaffer

Partner / Charity Springs

I’d recommend you sign up. I signed up for about a dozen blogging fundraiser consultants, but have since canceled most. She’s one of two left standing. I like how she organizes her thoughts about fundraising, and her conversation planning techniques are very familiar to me from my work as a prosecutor. I believe that she was a practicing attorney and who changed careers like I have, and my best guess is that she was a litigator as well. This is a very good article and there are several other blogs (her own) that she links to within it, so even though this is a small article you could spend some time here.

Cole Eason, J.D. ’92

Office of University Advancement / Rockhurst University