Barry J. McLeish 
Yours, Mine, and Ours 
Creating a Compelling Donor Experience

PRAISE FOR Yours, Mine & Ours: Creating a Compelling Donor
Experience

‘Using the principles penned in this book, Barry Mc Leish has helped
our nonprofit grow its customer base 400% with plans to double it
yet again approved by our board. The creation of a compelling donor
experience has increased gifts 1, 000%.’

–Ron Ward

Executive Director

Camp Berea

‘Nonprofits face constant pressure from a public scrutinizing our
every move, demanding more service for less cost. Into this perfect
storm, Barry Mc Leish has cast a lifeline. He has given us the power
to discern snake oil from salve and to craft custom strategies for
our unique organizations. Those who survive the future shakeout and
fragmentation of our industry will owe an eternal debt of gratitude
to the likes of Barry Mc Leish and his tribe.’

–Tony Lee

Associate Director of Development

Habitat for Humanity

‘Becoming more donor-centric is not a choice–it’s a strategic
imperative. This timely book from a seasoned and very savvy
practitioner sounds an urgently needed wake-up alarm for nonprofits
that have yet to align their work with the hearts and minds of
their donors. If you’re an executive or board member of a
nonprofit, after reading this book don’t even dream of hitting the
snooze button. In today’s environment, it could well be your
organization’s last nap.’

–Larry F. Johnston, Ph D

President

Mc Conkey, Johnston International

‘Keeping up with the sea change in the business of philanthropy has
become a full-time job for fundraisers and for managers of
nonprofits. Mc Leish’s book explores the expanded expectations of
twenty-first-century donors and offers a road map to guide
development professionals in building meaningful relationships that
will insure years of engaged support. This book goes beyond
conventional concepts of branding and marketing into the creation
of authentic partnerships between donors and organizations.’

–Linda G. Steckley

Vice President for Development and Executive Education

The Brookings Institution

‘The words of Albert Szent-Gyorgyi, the biochemist, summarize
Barry’s latest thoughts: ‘Discovery consists of seeing what
everybody has seen and thinking what nobody has thought.’ The
reader who captures Barry’s insights and personally adapts and
applies them will benefit greatly.’

–Larry Fuhrer, Founder/President

Presidential Services Ltd.

Table of Content

Preface viii

Introduction xiii

Acknowledgments xxvii

CHAPTER 1 Redefining Boundaries 1

CHAPTER 2 The Need for a New Mind-Set 25

CHAPTER 3 The Tip of the Iceberg 49

CHAPTER 4 Doing What Matters for Customers, Donors, and
Volunteers 75

CHAPTER 5 The Mind of the Nonprofit Strategist 97

CHAPTER 6 Five Critical Issues: First, Know Where You Are Going;
Second, Know How You Are Going to Get There 117

CHAPTER 7 Integration and Communication: Issues Three and Four
Continued 143

CHAPTER 8 The Fifth Issue: Creating the Cultural Tapestry
167

Afterword 191

Index 193

About the author

Barry Mc Leish (Deerfield, WI) is currently serving as the International Vice President to the Mc Conkey/Johnston Group, a fundraising and marketing management consulting firm specializing in nonprofit organizations and associations. Before joining Mc Conkey/Johnston, Mc Leish was the Director of Development for a $22 million dollar nonprofit organization and served as project director for the organization’s $30 million dollar capital campaign. Mc Leish is a frequent and popular seminar leader, having spoken at numerous conventions in the US and Canada on fundraising, marketing, and market planning for nonprofit and for-profit organizations, including large marketing seminars for Merrill Lynch and the American Association of Manufacturers. He is the author of three books: The Personal Support Raising Handbook (Intervarsity Press), The Donor Bond (Taft Publishers), and Successful Marketing Strategies for Nonprofit Organizations (Wiley).