There’s always a beautiful moment when a significant gift is finalized. The commitment is made. The vision moves forward. The campaign number goes up! The excitement is real.
There’s always a beautiful moment when a significant gift is finalized. The commitment is made. The vision moves forward. The campaign number goes up! The excitement is real.
Topics: Fundraising, Donor Recognition, Fundraising Management, Capital Fundraising, Fund Development, Fundraising Campaign, Campaign Planning
Recently I listened to a webinar filled with statistics.
Repeat donor retention was down.
New donor retention was down.
Lapsed donor recapture was down.
(I was relieved to see overall giving is up slightly! Yay!)
The news made me think about what we can do to change the trajectory of the numbers and build operational security for our organizations.
The answer is stewardship. Intentional, meaningful stewardship can create lifetime donors with a strong attachment to our mission and cause.
Topics: Fundraising, Nonprofit Management, Goal Setting, Fundraising Management, Capital Fundraising, Fund Development, Fundraising Campaign, Development, Campaign Planning, Attitude, AlumniRelations
Are your capital projects connected to your strategic priorities?
Let’s consider a new dining hall project at a resident camp. Is this project strategic, or simply reactive to growth in campers or the declining state of the building? This example drives home the importance of using a strategic framework to guide capital projects. Too often, nonprofits begin with a perceived need rather than a strategic imperative.
Capital planning and master planning for facilities flow from strategy… not the other way around.
Topics: Fundraising, Nonprofit Management, Goal Setting, Fundraising Management, Capital Fundraising, Fund Development, Fundraising Campaign, Development, Campaign Planning
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
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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