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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

SIX DOWN SIX TO GO

Posted by Sarah Breece

Can you believe we’re already halfway through the year? If you’re like most nonprofit leaders, you kicked off the year with ambitious fundraising goals, detailed plans, and a whole lot of motivation to have “the best year yet!”

Now, with six months behind us, it's time to step back and ask: How are we really doing?

Remember, fundraising isn't just about year-end campaigns, online appeals, or event seasons; it’s a year-round effort that begins on day one of your new fiscal year. Taking time now to evaluate your progress can be the difference between scrambling in Q4 or finishing strong.

A mid-year review gives you a chance to:

  • Assess the first six months of the year
  • Identify gaps
  • Re-engage and realign
  • Plan ahead with purpose
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Topics: Communications, Stewardship, Fundraising, Goal Setting, Professional Development, Annual, Strategy, Fundraising Management, Inspiration, Handwritten Notes, Fund Development, Fundraising Campaign, Communication, Gift Of Giving, Attitude, Ideas

FUNDRAISING IN UNPREDICTABLE TIMES

Posted by Bruce Berglund

When there is uncertainty and turmoil in the markets, in DC or around the world, nonprofit leaders can find themselves in a predicament. You have evolving funding needs, but you may not yet be sure what they are. Plus, you want to stay in touch with your donors and supporters, but you don’t necessarily know how current events are affecting them.

While there are a lot of unknowns and things you have no control over right now, there is one thing you can control. People need authentic, caring connections with others.

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Topics: Stewardship, Fundraising, Fundraising Management, Transition, Relationship Building

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

URGENT OPTIMISM

Posted by Lora Dow

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

CHALLENGING AND ACHIEVABLE GOALS LOOK FORWARD - NOT BACK

Posted by Gary Laermer

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

SEVEN STEPS TO SECURE GIFTS FROM DONOR-ADVISED FUNDS

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

STOP PUTTING OFF PLANNED GIVING

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

AFTER THE STORM: COMMUNICATING EFFECTIVELY DURING DISASTER RECOVERY

Posted by DBD Team

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

FACING THE GAP: CREATING A FOURTH QUARTER MINDSET

Posted by Kennerly Benraty

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

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