Posted , by Erin Phillips, Campaign Consultant. Topic: Government, Philanthropy Research & Events.

The nonprofit industry is keeping a close watch on Washington in 2012 as this year could bring about some significant changes in tax legislation that will affect American’s charitable giving. While most of the proposed policies are not favorable to organizations filing as 501(3)c, fundraisers could see an increase in donations this year as people… Read more »

Posted , by Keith Curtis, President. Topic: Philanthropy Research & Events.

With 2012 off and running, we wanted to pass along some guidance that we shared earlier this week in a column for The Hampton Roads Business Journal, Inside Business. While fundraising remains challenging in our post-recession economy, nonprofits that are strategic in their approach and demonstrate effective programming will find success in raising money. We have… Read more »

Posted , by Erin Phillips, Campaign Consultant. Topic: Donor Retention, Giving USA.

As most nonprofits are wrapping up the final week of their annual giving campaign and gearing up for the New Year, we wanted to share some valuable information from the latest edition of the 2011 Giving USA Spotlight series. The third and final issue of the year, entitled, “Relationship Cultivation Using Social Media” offers good… Read more »

Posted , by Wesley Stanley, Marketing Director. Topic: Philanthropy Research & Events.

As another challenging year for nonprofits draws to a close, we were encouraged to read this week that a recent global poll found the United States to be the most generous country in terms of charitable giving. Despite the fact that we are still recovering from the worst recession we’ve seen in decades, Americans managed… Read more »

Posted , by Wendy McGrady, Vice President. Topic: Fundraising, Philanthropy Research & Events.

A recent study found that 12 million baby boomers want to start their own nonprofit or socially oriented business over the next decade. While this sounds like a wonderful way to engage in social change by improving communities, it’s troublesome news to those of us in the nonprofit industry who observe constant duplication of services… Read more »

Posted , by Keith Curtis, President. Topic: Donors, Philanthropy Research & Events.

Last night, as part of its philanthropy series, American Public Media’s “Marketplace” aired a story that examined how people think about giving. Host Kai Ryssdal interviewed Yale economist Dean Karlan on what motivates us to give. Dean provided an optimistic take on the recession and how it motivates donors to focus on the analytical side of supporting… Read more »

Posted , by Lauren Fenn, Campaign and Communications Manager. Topic: Nonprofit Management.

Earlier this week The Wall Street Journal ran a series of interesting and informative articles online in the Philanthropy section that we felt inclined to comment on. One in particular, entitled “Should Philanthropies Operate Like Businesses?” was especially thought-provoking. The article poses the aforementioned question and sets up a debate between executives Charles Bronfman and… Read more »

Posted , by Wesley Stanley, Marketing Director. Topic: Uncategorized.

With Thanksgiving days away, we were reminded to share with our readers an interesting section recently launched by The Washington Post called “On Giving.” The new section, dubbed, “A conversation on philanthropy and social entrepreneurship,” will cover everything from corporate giving and social responsibility/entrepreneurship to charitable actions and personal finance. It will feature guest contributions from… Read more »

Posted , by Wendy McGrady, Vice President. Topic: Preparing for a Campaign.

With the tides beginning to turn in the number of requests we are receiving for campaign planning studies, it seems as though people’s thoughts are finally turning more towards campaigns. So often nonprofit boards want to see immediate and constant results when delving into a campaign, but in reality this is simply not the way a… Read more »

Posted , by Keith Curtis, President. Topic: Fundraising.

While in Chicago last week for a Giving Institute board meeting we heard an interesting presentation on fundraising events by Jeff Shuck, President and CEO of Event 360, the Giving Institute’s newest member. Event 360 is a leader in the world of nonprofit event development and production, orchestrating events for some of the country’s largest… Read more »