Big Layoffs Made at Health-Care Charity

November 06, 2009

Big Layoffs Made at Health-Care Charity

The fund-raising arm of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital announced Thursday that it will cut 70 jobs, reports The Commercial Appeal, in Memphis.

The American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities cited the problems caused by the bad economy as the reason for the layoffs and “across-the-board” cuts.

The charity ranked No. 19 on The Chronicle’s new list of the 400 American organizations that raise the most from private sources.

(A paid subscription or temporary pass is required to view The Chronicle list.)

Comments

It is clear that the “Economic Stimulus” is stimulating nothing but more layoffs.

Large charities like St. Judes are often stuck in a rut of outdated methods of raising money. Because of the organization’s own development bureaucracy, it can’t easily change when the markets demand it.

It is time to change how we do things!

Welcome the revolutionaries who want to experiment with new methods of marketing and fundraising. If you haven’t done so already, put your marketing and fundraising under one umbrella, so that you’re messaging is consistent, and you’re targeting your messages to the right audiences.

Focus on winning new donors. Put more of your resources toward acquisition than asking your major donors for larger and larger gifts. Expect that those who made large gifts last year may not be in a position to give more. Make up the difference with new donors, then screen the new donors for gift capacity. Invest in those that can make larger gifts.

This is a great time to be a fundraising professional if you are looking for adventure!

— Kevin Feldman Nov 6, 04:12 PM #

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Big Layoffs Made at Health-Care Charity

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