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If you're anything like me, you've probably found yourself staring at a blank document titled "Case for Support" more than once in your career. That moment when you need to distill your organization's entire heart and soul, its mission, impact, and vision, into something that resonates with potential supporters.  

I've been a part of a few conversations lately about navigating the changing landscape of nonprofit communications. One theme keeps emerging: many of us are cautiously exploring how new tools, including AI, might help with fundamental development work like crafting a case for support—without losing the authentic human connection that is at the core of what we do. 

We live in uncertain times, with constant social, political, and economic shifts. During the American War of Independence Lord Cornwallis surrendered to George Washington at Yorktown while the British band played the tune “the world turned upside down”. The most powerful army in the world had just been defeated by the American patriots. It must have indeed seemed like the world was upside down.

Today, nonprofit leaders may feel similarly challenged, as the funding and practices they have counted on in the past may no longer be available in the same ways. Whether you work in a nonprofit or volunteer as a board member, navigating uncertainty is part of the job description. Strategic management of resources is key to managing these uncertainties and ensuring your organization’s ability to fulfill its mission.

One of our axioms - possibly the one we talk about the most with our clients - is Leadership is Everything. We have trained and written about this topic from day one. It's true for our nonprofit clients, and it's true for us.

At DBD Group, we've been in a period of growth, adding consultants and serving more clients than ever before. What we quickly realized was we needed to create a structure of leadership to ensure we can serve our clients - and our consultants - in the best way possible.

We are excited to announce the following "new" leaders to DBD Group. (Their faces are familiar, but the roles are new!) Along with continuing service to our clients, these team members have additional roles within DBD Group.

We live in uncertain times, with constant social, political, and economic shifts. During the American War of Independence Lord Cornwallis surrendered to George Washington at Yorktown while the British band played the tune “the world turned upside down”. The most powerful army in the world had just been defeated by the American patriots. It must have indeed seemed like the world was upside down.

Today, nonprofit leaders may feel similarly challenged, as the funding and practices they have counted on in the past may no longer be available in the same ways. Whether you work in a nonprofit or volunteer as a board member, navigating uncertainty is part of the job description. Strategic management of resources is key to managing these uncertainties and ensuring your organization’s ability to fulfill its mission.

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:

Nonprofit boards often find themselves stuck in a rut, performing the same old tasks with the same agenda month after month, with little impact. This "old work," as described by board expert Richard Chait in his 1996 article "The New Board Work of the Nonprofit Board," remains highly relevant today. I had the opportunity to rediscover this valuable resource in my files, and it reaffirmed that boards have the potential to move their work toward a more impactful and relevant approach.

What are things you might stop doing that could improve the quality of your day-to-day life? Harvard professor and researcher Arthur Brooks calls this a “to don’t” list: things that you find yourself doing out of habit or obligation even though they lower happiness and productivity.

As you consider your own list, I encourage you to try the following:

As a nonprofit organization, your case for support is a critical tool to communicate the value and impact of your work, build relationships with donors, and secure the resources needed to fulfill your mission. But it’s not enough to write it once and assume it’s always going to work.

While you should dust off and evaluate the strength and validity of your case every year, sometimes you need a bigger reset.

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)?

Living in the Midwest, it can get cold in the winter months. Real cold. One of the essential clothing items are gloves. Not just any glove, but a great glove. A glove should fit snugly but comfortably, without being too tight or too loose. I often go for gloves that are well insulated, yet stylish, and comfortable to wear. Ultimately, the best glove will depend on your individual needs and preferences.