The Headwinds
Turmoil and uncertainty leave nonprofit volunteers and staff at a loss. Should we launch our campaign? Should we pause our campaign? What about our annual fund? Where do we go from here where “here” keeps shifting?
Turmoil and uncertainty leave nonprofit volunteers and staff at a loss. Should we launch our campaign? Should we pause our campaign? What about our annual fund? Where do we go from here where “here” keeps shifting?
Topics: Leadership, Stewardship, Fundraising, Nonprofit Management, Nonprofit Leadership, Financial Development, Strategy, Annual Fundraising, Capital Fundraising, Fund Development, federal funding
If you’ve been putting off implementing a strategy to secure gifts from donor-advised funds, let this be the year that changes that. Why? The numbers are too big to ignore.
Topics: Capital Campaign, Donor Stewardship, Donation, Fundraising, Major Gifts, Financial Development, Annual, Annual Fundraising, Fundraising Management, Capital Fundraising, Fund Development, Communication, Cultivation, Development, Campaign Planning, Making The Case, Making The Ask, Donor, Online Giving, Donor Advised Funds
In the aftermath of a natural disaster, timely, clear, and compassionate communication is essential for nonprofit organizations seeking to raise support for recovery efforts. Whether you are in this situation now or in the future, here are things to consider to help you stay connected to your donors – both immediately after you have assessed the damages, and in the months following as you continue to rebuild.
Once you have assessed the damages and identified urgent community needs, it's time to initiate your communications. But don’t wait too long. You don’t have to have all the answers before you start to reach out. Prioritize transparency and urgency in your outreach, while also offering hope and tangible ways for donors to make an impact. Early communications should focus on immediate needs and establish a foundation for ongoing updates as recovery efforts continue.
Topics: Fundraising, Donor Communications, Financial Development, Annual Fundraising, Fundraising Management, Planning, Development
Whether you’re looking to finish strong on an already successful year, or you’re looking to close a gap to goal, this story of a high school wrestling tournament offers four ways to help any team reach their goal in the face of adversity.
First, let me set the stage…
Topics: Success Stories, Fundraising, Major Gifts, Annual Campaign, Donor Communications, Campaign Leadership, Financial Development, Purpose, Annual Fundraising, Fundraising Management, End Of Year, Planning, Fundraising Campaign, Development, Preparation
As our clients seek to finish the year strong, we are helping them navigate the changing landscape of grant writing with its new challenges and opportunities. Staying ahead of the curve is crucial for anyone looking to secure funding in a competitive environment. Here’s a look at the latest trends that we are seeing in grant writing. Consider using these strategies to refine your approach and increase your chances of success.
Topics: Fundraising, Major Gifts, Annual Campaign, Donor Communications, Campaign Leadership, Financial Development, Annual Fundraising, Fundraising Management, End Of Year, Capital Fundraising, Fundraising Campaign, Development, Preparation, grants, grant writing
Everyone agrees that stewardship is important, but too often it drops to the bottom of the priority list for busy nonprofit professionals. Here are five overlooked ways to say thanks all year long.
Topics: Donor Stewardship, Stewardship, Fundraising, Nonprofit Leadership, Annual Fundraising
Nonprofit leaders are often unable to get their board and staff more actively involved in fundraising. For as long as I can remember this has been a popular topic for round table discussions, webinars, conference sessions and more. Suggested solutions often include establishing “give and get” requirements; better/more training; team competitions; clearer expectations; offering rewards and incentives; and more.
Topics: Leadership, Fundraising, Nonprofit Leadership, Annual Fundraising, Pat Lencioni, What We're Reading
One of my favorite DBD axioms is “Listen the gift.” We use this as we coach our clients through a major or transformational gift ask. Listening to our prospect is an important piece of the puzzle in creating a meaningful outcome for the donor and the organization.
After the disruption of the past four years, it seems a great time to pause and think differently – not just about the organization, changing demographics, AI, or the shifts in technology that are all affecting our fundraising, but about our donors. They are the heart of it all.
Topics: Donor Stewardship, Stewardship, Fundraising, Financial Development, Annual Fundraising, Donor Engagement, Donor Relations, Fund Development, Development
Many nonprofits wonder how to identify people who have DAFs and how to get their cause in front of them. It can be a little complicated but with some investigation into how the DAF is administered, you can find the person behind the DAF and start to share your mission and impact with them. Let’s explore...
Topics: Fundraising, Financial Development, Annual Fundraising, Donor Engagement, Foundation, Donor Relations, Fund Development, Development, Donor Advised Funds
You’ve probably heard the phrase “cash is king.” But is that still true?
Topics: Fundraising, Individual Philanthropy, Annual Fundraising, Donor Advised Funds