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

Last week, as a result of our webinar on “What Makes an Effective Capital Campaign?” a question arose that we thought was worth addressing. One participant asked us to further explain the need for the business plan that we often recommend developing before moving into any type of campaign. The simple answer is this: a campaign… Read more »

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

The Giving Institute recently hosted an informative webinar on the proposed changes to the U.S. tax code and what it means for giving in our country. We wanted to share some of the valuable information presented in the webinar, led by Patrick Rooney, PhD, Executive Director of the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University. The webinar… Read more »

Posted , by Wesley Stanley, Marketing Director. Topic: Donor Retention.

Last week, the Richmond Times-Dispatch interviewed Keith for an article addressing the surprisingly low volunteer rate in the Richmond,Virginia area. The article juxtaposes this reality against the fact that 2010 actually showed the highest growth rate in U.S. volunteerism since 2005, climbing to 63 million. So why is it that only 20.9% of Richmond-area residents volunteered… Read more »

Posted , by Erin Phillips, Campaign Consultant. Topic: Board Development.

Last week we attended the first of the 2012 AFP-Hampton Roads luncheon series. Susan Hirschbiel, philanthropist, community volunteer, and recipient of the National Philanthropy Day 2011 Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser, spoke on the topic of building a strong board. It’s not often that nonprofit professionals have the opportunity to hear about board service from an actual board… Read more »

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

A recent article in The Nonprofit Quarterly posed the question, “How can we grow philanthropy in the United States?” It’s one that deserves some thought, especially in light of the fact that giving in this country has remained flat (approximately 2% of household income) over the past 40 years. As we highlighted in a post last… Read more »

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 »