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RESET THE 'WHO' FOR PLANNED GIVING

For many of us, planned giving seems intimidating—all those complex financial instruments and legal terminology. But here's the thing: the donors you need to reach, especially those born between 1965 and 1980, don't want to hear about charitable remainder trusts on your first conversation either. They want to know how they can make a real difference while being smart about their finances.

Gen X donors are hitting their peak earning years right now, and they will be the primary recipients of the Boomer estates. So, they’re thinking about legacy in ways that might surprise you. Let's break down how to reset your planned giving approach to connect with this unique generation.

 

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Topics: Communications, Donor Cultivation, Ask, Fundraising, Endowment Development, Financial Development, Strategy, Fundraising Management, Foundation, Donor Relations, Fund Development, Communication, Planned Giving

THE LANGUAGE OF THE POSSIBLE

Posted by Gary Laermer

Some call it storytelling; others call it an elevator pitch. Either is fine, and elevator pitches are good as long as you know that most people want to get off on the 2nd floor.

Developing a concise, compelling, and succinct message that clearly states the societal problem you’re working to address, how you will solve it, and what differentiates your work is a key factor in fundraising campaign success. Your case must be made clearly, quickly, be externally focused, and demonstrate urgency.

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Topics: Communications, Donor Cultivation, Fundraising, Case For Support, Annual, Strategy, Case Statement, Donor Relations, Fund Development, Communication, Appreciation, Collaboration, Attitude

MAKE THE MOST OF SUMMER

Posted by Mary Ramirez

Summer’s erratic schedules—donors on vacation, staff taking time off, board members and volunteers unavailable—can disrupt traditional fundraising efforts. But this quieter season offers a powerful opportunity for fundraising leaders, whether they manage teams or work as individual contributors, to reset their approach by leaning into authentic, one-on-one connections. By focusing on building genuine relationships with colleagues, donors, volunteers, and board members, leaders can foster trust, inspire collaboration, and fuel long-term success in ways no strategy or tactic can match. Here’s how to use summer’s lull to cultivate meaningful connections that transform your leadership and organization.

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Topics: Communications, Donor Cultivation, Fundraising, Gratitude, Annual, Strategy, Fundraising Management, Donor Engagement, Inspiration, Donor Relations, Handwritten Notes, Fundraising Campaign, Communication, Appreciation, Gift Of Giving, Collaboration, Attitude, Ideas, CelebratingOurClients

EXPLORING AI USE WITH YOUR NONPROFIT'S CASE FOR SUPPORT

Posted by Lindsay Casavant

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. 

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Topics: Collaborations, Communications, Donor Stewardship, Stewardship, Fundraising, Case For Support, Annual Campaign, Donor Communications, Change, Financial Development, Capital, Fundraising Management, Case Statement, Inspiration, Donor Relations, Donor Prospect, Fund Development, Execution, Communication, Productivity, Development, Ideas, Curiosity, ai, Artificial Intelligence

USE AI TO SURPRISE AND DELIGHT DONORS

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.

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Topics: Collaborations, Donor Stewardship, Stewardship, Fundraising, Annual Campaign, Change, Financial Development, Capital, Inspiration, Donor Relations, Donor Prospect, Fund Development, Execution, Communication, Productivity, Development, Ideas, Curiosity, Artificial Intelligence

NEW YEAR NEW OPPORTUNITIES

Posted by Bruce Berglund

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.

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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

APPRECIATION AND IMPACT

Posted by Jon Simons

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?

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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

INSPIRING WAYS TO CONNECT WITH DONORS AT YEAR END

Posted by Lindsay Casavant
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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

THE LAW OF AUTHENTICITY

Posted by Kennerly Benraty

Looking through my bookshelf, I came across The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann. I was gifted this book in my first few months as a fundraiser when a mentor of mine slid it across a coffee table in my direction with a credulous smile and told me there’s one contingency (you’ll have to read on your own to find out!) if I decided to follow its teachings.

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Topics: Donor Stewardship, Stewardship, Fundraising, How To Ask, Art Of The Ask, Donor Relations, Making The Ask, Nonprofit, What We're Reading

5 WAYS TO INTEGRATE DATA INTO YOUR CULTURE

Posted by Kali Righter

In theory, we all know the importance of data when it comes to working efficiently and effectively. We’ve heard phrases like “data driven” and understand that to be good stewards of our work we should be using data as a regular part of our work.

Yet many nonprofits struggle to truly integrate data into their culture and in their decision-making processes. Here are some ideas on how you can more effectively integrate data into your organization:

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Topics: Fundraising, Culture Of Philanthrophy, Financial Development, Donor Engagement, Donor Relations, Fund Development, Data Management, Development

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