From the Funder’s Mouth: Red Flags When Approaching Foundations

Posted , by Wesley Stanley, Marketing Director. Topic: Funds and Funders.

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

Posted , by Keith Curtis, President. Topic: Boards of Directors, Fundraising.

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

Posted , by Natalie McGaughey, Development Coordinator. Topic: Fundraising.

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 »

A Last-Minute Plan for Year-End Fundraising Success

Posted , by Hilary Fulp, Consultant. Topic: Boards of Directors, Development Plan, Donor Acknowledgement, Donor Communication, Donor Retention, Donors, Fundraising, Major Donors, Year-End Giving.

If you feel behind for the end of year fundraising push, here are four things you can do in the next two months to raise more. 1. Engage Your Board – When you meet with each board member to ask for their meaningful personal gift, engage them. Consider their strengths, then enlist them to make calls, set… Read more »

Recorded Webinar – Cultivation and Stewardship in Today’s Fundraising Climate

Posted , by Abbie Hacker, Consultant. Topic: Crisis Fundraising, Donor Communication, Donor Retention, Fundraising, High-Net-Worth Individuals, Major Donors, Major Gifts Programs, Making the Ask, Webinars and Videos.

As we move into yet another season filled with uncertainty, we are all having to function under a new fundraising normal. This new normal still relies on the same successful fundraising cycle, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, BUT, it now more than ever before depends on creativity and a combination of virtual and in-person approaches. This… Read more »

Using Metrics that Matter to Plan for the Unexpected

Posted , by Abbie Hacker, Consultant. Topic: Crisis Fundraising, Development Plan, Donor Prospects, Donor Retention, Donors, Fundraising, Gift Solicitation, Major Donors, Major Gifts Programs, Preparing for a Campaign.

By Abbie Hacker Consultant For the most part, we can’t even begin to predict what the fall will look like. In the nonprofit community, this uncertainty plays out in numerous ways… should you move forward with your in-person event? Will you be able to meet face-to-face with your donors? Can you offer tours of your new… Read more »

Choosing a Fundraising Consultant? Consider These Tips

Posted , by Wendy McGrady, Executive Vice President. Topic: Campaigns & Campaign Planning, Capital Campaigns, Crisis Fundraising, Fundraising, Preparing for a Campaign.

Download Your Printable Version   By Wendy McGrady, Executive Vice President Have you been considering a development assessment or feasibility study for months or even years? Moving forward doesn’t have to be as overwhelming as it might feel. As more and more nonprofits around the country are reaching out to us, we want to share some… Read more »

Watch and Learn How to Make the Virtual Ask in 2021

Posted , by Victoria Dietz, Vice President . Topic: Crisis Fundraising, Donors, Fundraising, Major Donors, Making the Ask, Webinars and Videos.

Victoria Dietz and Hilary Fulp lead an engaging presentation about the ins and outs of making “the ask.”  Hear practical tips that will help conquer potential fears surrounding the ask, especially virtual asks, so you can confidently approach prospects and successfully close a gift. They will share key points such as: How do I make… Read more »

6 Tips to Adapt to the New Fundraising Normal

Posted , by Marissa Monell, Client Manager. Topic: Crisis Fundraising, Donor Acknowledgement, Donor Retention, Donors, Fundraising, Gift Solicitation, Making the Ask.

By Marissa Monell, Client Manager Over the last year, I’ve had the privilege of working with several nonprofits that have risen to the top during these challenging times. Their missions might be varied, but each has found a way to address the challenging fundraising environment while remembering the importance of the tried and true fundraising process:… Read more »