I’ve been around since the Flood. Founder, President, Creative Director, and now Chairman of Stephen Thomas Ltd. I have experienced burnished opinions about:Our Sector. What could be better than working for a better world? Direct Mail Creative. Not what it is. There’s so much junk out there now. Fundraising. Multi-channels, integrated. That’s the future. International Fundraising. I’m proud Co-Chair of the Resource Alliance that works to improve our craft worldwide. Canadians don’t know enough about our international sisters and brothers. Clients. They’re often their own worst enemies. And the World In General. Shaped by the sixties, I’m still left and proud of it.
Let’s say you’re a fundraiser in her/his early thirties. Your mother would be in her late fifties then, or more. And your grandmother in her seventies or eighties in all probability.
How much do you know about the worldview… Continue reading →
In 2010, my friend and fellow fundraiser Guy Mallabone asked me to contribute to his book, Excellence in Fundraising in Canada, the Definitive Resource for Canadian Fundraisers. The book includes chapters from 22 of Canada’s… Continue reading →
Every year during AFP Toronto Congress we celebrate Philanthropy Day with an awards luncheon. Over the years it’s grown tremendously. Now over 1,000 people gather to honour the Philanthropist, Volunteer, Fundraising Professional, Corporation, Foundation and Young Philanthropist of the year.
There is… Continue reading →
I was named Stephen Morley Thomas. Morley is after my paternal grandfather who died of influenza in the 1918 epidemic when my Dad was a couple of months old.
I’ve recently had some adventures with our medical care system. Nothing serious, but still needing attention.
After seeing my GP, there was three weeks to see a specialist, another three weeks for the tests he ordered and another two weeks… Continue reading →
When we think of fundraising we think of Canada, the United States and probably the United Kingdom and Europe.
But fundraising is alive and well in the rest of the world too…
Fundraising around the World
India has… Continue reading →
Why are charities judged on how little they spend? The famous fundraising expense ratio. Shouldn’t they be judged on the size of their net income?
Almost always a charity can do a better job fulfilling its mission if it raises… Continue reading →
We here at Stephen Thomas Ltd are fundraisers, not vendors. We care deeply about our clients, their work and our sector.
A good relationship with a client is a bit like a marriage. It takes work on both sides and… Continue reading →
It turns out they are much the same. A magic bullet is “a quick and easy solution for a difficult problem – a means of accomplishing the impossible.” And a silver bullet is “an action which cuts through complexity and… Continue reading →
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