The J.F. Smith Group

02/10/2026

Training Tuesday! One of Jerry's basic principles in fundraising is this: If you go the extra mile, you will be miles ahead of your competition!

Recently, John Ed Mathison read an article in the J.F. Smith Group's newsletter about a development officer who did just that! He re-told the story on his podcast, "Got a Minute?" Check it out!

Traffic didn’t stop her, so she grabbed a scooter and kept going. That’s commitment. Don’t let small obstacles derail big goals. Be committed. Whatever it ta...

02/03/2026

Attention Athletics!!

Jerry and Brett Whiteside (Auburn University) recently filmed a Q&A regarding NIL and Revenue Sharing. Here is the short preview! We highly encourage you to watch this video to learn how to change with the times!

For the full session (30 minutes), click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaQuHYG8q10&t=11s

01/27/2026

Training Tuesday!! Make sure you have the RIGHT ask amount; be careful not to ask for TOO much money! 💰 💵

When Jerry started in the business of fundraising, he used to think you couldn't ask a donor for too much money. He quickly found out that's not the case and...

01/26/2026

The days after a solicitation are when donors are deciding, questioning, and comparing - and silence creates doubt. Thoughtful follow-up doesn’t pressure donors; it reassures them.

Our latest blog post is up! Check it out here!

https://www.jfsg.com/articles/closingtheloop

01/20/2026

Training Tuesday!

In Jerry's video last week, he outlined how to deal with a donor who attempts to get ahead of you and make a smaller gift than you planned to ask for. What if the case were the opposite? What if the donor indicates they're willing to do more than you planned to ask for in your proposal?

In Jerry's last video, he outlined how to deal with a donor who attempts to get ahead of you and make a smaller gift than you planned to ask for. What if the...

01/19/2026

Ever leave a donor meeting and think, “I’ll send that tomorrow”… then suddenly it’s day four?

Jerry Smith’s 72‑hour rule is a game changer: do what you said you’d do — quickly. In a world of instant everything, fast follow‑through isn’t just polite. It’s a trust signal.

Our latest post digs into why those first 72 hours matter, the systems that make it doable, and what to say when you can’t deliver on time.

Read it here:

Most of us have heard some version of “do what you say you will do.” Jerry Smith raises the bar: “Do what you say you will do – sooner rather than later.” And he adds a time limit: do not promise anything you cannot deliver within 72 hours. That sounds like simple professionalism. In fundr...

01/15/2026

Thankful for the opportunity to work with President von Eschenbach and UNT Dallas!

01/13/2026

Training Tuesday!

Ever catch yourself shrinking the ask before the donor says a word?

Jerry F. Smith shares a simple but high-stakes reminder: present your full proposal, don’t negotiate your ask before you’ve even made it.

Quick, practical, and immediately useful.

Watch here:

Jerry relates a story about the time a donor tried to get ahead of them and give them a small gift at the outset of their visit. See how he handled it and wa...

01/08/2026

At the J.F. Smith Group, we believe that the heart of a successful capital campaign lies in the quality of the data we gather. That is why we are kicking off 2026 with an intensive, deep-dive training session for our team of interviewers.

Our goal is simple: to empower our interviewers with the tools they need to build genuine relationships and deliver the excellence our clients expect. When we listen better, our clients lead better.

Proud of this team and their dedication to honing their craft!

01/06/2026

Tuesday training! If you’ve ever hit the “gatekeeper wall” in fundraising, this one’s for you.

In this quick video, Jerry shares a real-world story of refusing to settle for the “easy yes” when the capacity was clearly much bigger - and how a strategic team approach helped move the conversation from a $25K offer to a $500K commitment.

A line that stuck with me: “I’m not going to submit a $25,000 proposal… because this company is capable of something much, much larger than that.”

Watch here:

Jerry provides an example of how he was able to get around the gatekeeper so he could make his full presentation and give a proposal to the CEO of a large co...

01/01/2026

New year, same dedication to our mission. The J.F. Smith Group wishes you a happy, healthy, and impactful 2026! Let’s make this year’s vision a reality.