Recently passed tax legislation will bring significant changes to charitable giving starting in 2026, creating both opportunities and challenges for donors across all income levels. Understanding these changes now could help you thoughtfully guide your donors through this altered landscape as they plan their year-end giving.
Topics: Communications, Donation, Fundraising, Major Gifts, Nonprofit Management, Annual Campaign, Donor Communications, Annual Fundraising, Donor Prospect, Fund Development, Fundraising Campaign, Campaign Planning, Nonprofit, Tax Law
When setting fundraising goals—whether for annual contributed revenue or a multi-year campaign—many organizations default to looking at past performance. But here’s the thing: basing your goals only on what’s been done before can be limiting.
Topics: Capital Campaign, Donor Stewardship, Donation, Fundraising, Goal Setting, Campaign Leadership, Goals, Financial Development, Fundraising Management, Capital Fundraising, Fund Development, Communication, Development, Campaign Planning, Making The Case, Making The Ask, Donor, Online Giving, Donor Advised Funds, CelebratingOurClients
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
As we turn the page on the calendar and step into a new year, nonprofit leaders everywhere are greeted with a world of opportunity. The new year is more than just a fresh start; it’s a chance to reflect, reimagine, and reignite our passion for the causes we serve.
Topics: Leadership, Donor Stewardship, Stewardship, Fundraising, Gratitude, Annual Campaign, Goals, Donor Love, Vision, Donor Relations, Fund Development, Fundraising Campaign, Execution, Communication, Cultivation, Development, Campaign Planning, Donor
December is a busy time in the life of a nonprofit fund raiser. It starts with Giving Tuesday and continues with year-end appeals and gentle reminders for open 2024 pledges. Nonprofit leaders with fundraising responsibilities have a number in their heads: what do I need to raise to meet my year-end goal?
Topics: Donor Stewardship, Donor Cultivation, Stewardship, Gratitude, Donor Love, Donor Recognition, End Of Year, Year-End Giving, Donor Relations, Handwritten Notes, Fund Development, Year-End, Execution, Communication, Appreciation, Campaign Planning, Gift Of Giving, Donor, Client Stories
Topics: Donor Stewardship, Donor Cultivation, Stewardship, Fundraising, Asking, Gratitude, Donor Love, Donor Recognition, End Of Year, Year-End Giving, Donor Relations, Handwritten Notes, Fund Development, Year-End, Execution, Communication, Appreciation, Campaign Planning, Gift Of Giving, Donor, Client Stories
Written By: Kali Righter and Sarah Breece
With nearly 31% of annual donations coming in December, crafting a strong appeal is essential for your nonprofit organization.
Here are strategies to maximize the use of your donor database and wealth screening tools for this process.
Topics: Donor Cultivation, Fundraising, Asking, End Of Year, Year-End Giving, Fund Development, Fundraising Campaign, Year-End, Execution, Communication, Data Management, Campaign Planning, Making The Ask, Donor
The time between Thanksgiving and year-end offers a prime window for fundraising, as people often feel a heightened sense of generosity and motivation to support causes they care about. This season can be a tremendous opportunity to engage donors, share your mission’s impact, and inspire end-of-year contributions. Here are some practical fundraising strategies and tactics to maximize your campaign success during this season:
Topics: Donor Cultivation, Fundraising, Asking, Donor Communications, Change, Strategy, Best of DBD, Year-End Giving, Fund Development, Fundraising Campaign, Year-End, Communication, Planned Giving, Development, Campaign Planning, Making The Ask, Gift Of Giving, Donor, Ideas, strategic planning
A CEO once said to me, “I would like us to have a conversation with one of my new board members.”
“Of course,” I said. “What would you like to talk about?”
“He wants to know what he is going to get from being on my board,” she said. “And I have never had anyone ask me that before!”
The CEO was intrigued.
Change Your Perspective on Boards
Typically, when non-profits are recruiting board members, they discuss the gifts, skills, and experience different volunteers might contribute to the organization. What time, talent, and treasure might they bring?
But what if instead we talk through what the volunteers will get from being on the board? Volunteers typically gain satisfaction from helping a community. They feel good about using their skills toward greater good.
A New Board Job Description
Imagine a reverse job description. Consider one that stresses what board members will receive from being part of your organization.
What would yours say?
Topics: Board Development, Fundraising, Nonprofit Leadership, Strategy, Board Leadership, Planning, Campaign Planning, CEO Coaching
Those of you who love high-brow films most certainly didn’t miss the 2006 Adam Sandler classic, “Click.” In it, a workaholic husband and father finds a universal TV remote that allows him to fast forward and rewind parts of his life. Complications ensue.
While I admit I enjoyed the movie, it was the premise that captured my interest. What if we could reset our lives with the click of a button (complications not included)?
Topics: Learning, Fundraising, Case For Support, Positioning Campaign, Change, Nonprofit Leadership, Strategy, Board Leadership, Planning, Campaign Planning, Attitude, Ideas, Covid