As a follow-up to last week’s post in which we offered some general advice from “real world” funders on how nonprofits should operate, this week we’d like to share with you some red flags that funders see when it comes to requests. The following are a list of no-no’s when it comes to putting together… Read more »
The Right Approach to Board Solicitation
Recently, we’ve had a lot of people ask about the best way to solicit leadership gifts from board members. As with any major gift solicitation (because that’s what you’re aiming for, right?), it’s always best to make an in-person ask. Having a board member solicit another board member in-person, is hands-down the most effective way… Read more »
Rethinking Your Annual Giving Approach
Last week Wendy and I attended an interesting presentation on annual giving at our Hampton Roads AFP chapter meeting. Kim Sperling, Director of Development at the Mason School of Business at William and Mary, revealed “Ten Truths and a Myth about Annual Giving,” which reiterated much of the advice we’ve been giving recently around the… Read more »
Is It the End of Philanthropy As We Know It?
Change Is the Only Constant: Prepare for the Future of Philanthropy By Wendy McGrady President and Chief Operating Officer The Greek philosopher Heraclitus is famous for noting that the only constant in life is change, saying “you cannot step twice in the same river.” Over 2,000 years later, this concept remains relevant—especially for the nonprofit sector… Read more »
AI + Fundraising = More Time for Donors
Want More Time with Donors? Start Using AI for These 3 Fundraising Tasks By Lindsey Rosenthal Associate Consultant As nonprofit fundraising professionals, we’re all too familiar with the pressures of doing more with fewer resources. Smaller teams. Larger goals. Greater expectations. But what if AI tools could help ease this burden—allowing us to focus on what… Read more »
Women Give Differently – Is Your Nonprofit Keeping Up?
Women Give Differently: The Unique Role of Women in Philanthropy By Kate Hildebrand Consultant Recently I had the opportunity to attend a panel discussion on the topic of women in philanthropy. It was inspiring to hear from local female leaders on a subject that is important to me personally as a woman in fundraising and one… Read more »
Six Strategies to Raise More at Year-End
Close the Year with Purpose: Six Strategies to Raise More at Year-End By Kaitlin Robb Consultant and Director of Marketing Now that Fall is officially here, we have also officially entered a crucial time for nonprofits. According to most sources, nearly 30% of charitable giving happens in the last quarter of the year. Planning now… Read more »
Is There Really a Crisis of Generousity?
How and Why We Give: Highlights from the Generosity Commission’s Final Report By Wendy McGrady, EVP and COO I was in D.C. for the release of The Generosity Commission’s report at the end of September. Based on my experience and the report’s findings, my article was recently published on the Giving USA blog. Below is… Read more »
The Power of Storytelling: Harnessing “Your Why” to Elevate Nonprofit Fundraising
The Power of Storytelling: Harnessing “Your Why” to Elevate Nonprofit Fundraising By Kaitlin Robb, Consultant and Director of Marketing When it comes to successful fundraising, storytelling isn’t just a technique: It’s the heart of effective communication. Storytelling allows you to connect emotionally with your supporters, turning abstract missions into personal, relatable experiences. Understanding and articulating “your why”—the… Read more »
Webinar: Building Lasting Relationships to Maximize Impact
Free Webinar: Building Lasting Relationships to Maximize Impact This insightful session will deepen your understanding of donor engagement. Learn best practices for cultivating meaningful relationships, effective stewardship strategies and how to communicate your organization’s mission to inspire sustained support. Our team of experts will share: Real—world examples of donor cultivation and stewardship Strategies to… Read more »
