For leaders of mission-driven organizations, keeping a hopeful attitude is critical to meeting the inevitable challenges that arise. But how do you keep your attitude positive when things aren’t going your way?
In “Imaginable” by Jane McGonigal, the author introduces the concept of “urgent optimism.” In this state of mind, it’s possible to be realistic about the issues and risks ahead, while also keeping an open eye and heart as to how you can help to solve those issues and address the risks.
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Topics:
Collaborations,
Book Club,
Donation,
Fundraising,
Goal Setting,
Goals,
Culture Of Philanthrophy,
Fundraising Management,
Inspiration,
Capital Fundraising,
Communication,
Appreciation,
Development,
Donor,
Online Giving,
Attitude,
Happiness,
Potential
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.
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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.
- Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) contributions represent 8% of all donations in the USA.
- Total Assets in DAFs in 2023 was $251.52B
- Total Value of Grants made by DAF fundholders in 2023 was $54.77B
- Total Value of Contributions made to DAFs in 2023 was $59.43B
- Average DAF Account size in 2023 was $141,120
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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
The Great Wealth Transfer is underway. Up to $90 trillion is expected to be passed on from wealthy, older generations over the next twenty years. $60 billion of that is predicted to be gifted in 2024.
If you’ve been neglecting your planned giving efforts - or putting them off entirely – it’s time to stop.
Besides the potential for transformational gifts, your organization should absolutely invest time in seeking planned gifts now for several compelling reasons:
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Topics:
Fundraising,
Endowment,
Donor Communications,
Endowment Development,
Financial Development,
Fundraising Management,
Planned Giving,
Development
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.
Where to start
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.
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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…
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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.
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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
Remember Your Why
In the day-to-day hustle of our work, it’s easy to forget why we do what we do. To-do lists, deadlines, and budgets can get the better of us. That’s why we remind clients to step back from the immediate tasks at hand and remember their greater purpose and mission.
We encourage our nonprofit leaders to stay connected to why their volunteers, donors, and staff are involved with their organization.
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Topics:
Ask,
Fundraising Management,
Nonprofit Staff
The Role of Curiosity in Fundraising
If knowledge is power, then curiosity is the muscle.
- Danielle LaPorte
If you have spent any time in a cast, you know well that muscles, left unused, atrophy. To rebuild and stay strong, we need to re-learn how to engage and challenge our muscles.
If curiosity is a muscle as LaPorte says, then my dear friend and partner at DBD Group, Thom Peters, is Arnold Schwarzenegger. When he asks “How are you?” he is not just being polite. He is knocking on the door of your soul and hoping to be invited in.
Thom wants to know your story and finds true joy in making real and authentic connections. His greatest hope is to learn what’s important to you and then connect you with others who share your passion. Thom is inquisitive and a connector on the grandest scale.
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Topics:
Fundraising,
Fundraising Management,
Nonprofit Staff