What Motivates Your Major Donors?

Posted , by Victoria Dietz, Vice President. Topic: High-Net-Worth Individuals, Philanthropy Research & Events, Funds and Funders, Major Donors, Fundraising, Crisis Fundraising, Webinars and Videos.

Welcome back to Let’s Talk Fundraising.  The Curtis Group Vice President Victoria Dietz spends five minutes chatting with Erin Hogan who serves as a Philanthropic Market Executive with Bank of America Private Bank. They are discussing the recent release of the biennial study that examines the giving patterns, priorities, and attitudes of affluent U.S…. Read more »

Americans gave over $471 billion in 2020!

Posted , by Keith Curtis, President & Founder. Topic: Donors, Funds and Funders, Major Donors, Arts & Culture, Fundraising by Sector, Independent Schools, Higher Education, Human Services, Fundraising, High-Net-Worth Individuals, Crisis Fundraising, Giving USA, Webinars and Videos.

Challenging and complex year inspires record growth in giving: $471.44 billion contributed!   Today is the release of Giving USA 2021, the longest running and most comprehensive analysis of charitable giving in this country. Take 5 minutes to learn from Keith Curtis and Victoria Dietz as they give an overview of the results and how… Read more »

Do you trust them? Philanthropy in action

Posted , by Wendy McGrady, Executive Vice President. Topic: High-Net-Worth Individuals, Major Gifts Programs, Funds and Funders, Fundraising, Crisis Fundraising.

Trust-Based Philanthropy in Action By Wendy McGrady, Executive Vice President Much has already been written in response to MacKenzie Scott’s December distribution of over $4 billion in unrestricted gifts to 384 organizations across the country. Rightfully so — such incredible generosity should be covered and celebrated! Her significant, unexpected gifts will certainly be transformational to… Read more »

6 Fundraising Trends to Watch in the New Year

Posted , by Keith Curtis, Founder, President. Topic: Campaigns & Campaign Planning, Funds and Funders, Fundraising, High-Net-Worth Individuals.

As we celebrate The Curtis Group’s 30th anniversary, I could reflect and reminisce on the past, and maybe I will at a later date. But today, I would rather look to the future of fundraising and philanthropy. Below are six philanthropic trends that I think will impact fundraising in 2019. High-net-worth donors continue to give… Read more »

Decoding Donor-Advised Funds: From Data to Practical

Posted , by Keith Curtis, Founder, President. Topic: Year-End Giving, Gift Solicitation, Philanthropy Research & Events, Funds and Funders, Donor Communication, High-Net-Worth Individuals, Major Gifts Programs.

Donor-advised funds began in the 1930s, but in recent years these funds have become the fastest growing vehicle in philanthropy. Contributions to donor-advised funds grew at three times the rate of total charitable giving in 2016 according to the National Philanthropic Trust. Donor-advised funds defined: Donor-advised funds (DAF) are donor-established philanthropic funds that are maintained, operated… Read more »

How to win over—and keep—grant funders

Posted , by Abby Weber, Client Manager. Topic: Donors, Funds and Funders.

Foundations and corporations are the same as other major donors—except when they aren’t. All should be cultivated and stewarded in similar ways, with consistent work to build a relationship. But while you communicate directly with major donors, you must go through representatives when dealing with a grant funder. What can you do to ensure your request… Read more »

The Donor-Advised Funds Revolution: 5 ways to get your nonprofit at the forefront

Posted , by Keith Curtis, President. Topic: Funds and Funders.

As a fundraising professional, staying on top of the latest trends in giving can feel like a full-time job. One of the hottest topics in the philanthropic community today is the increased popularity of donor-advised funds. DAFs provide many benefits to both the donor and nonprofit. For donors, they: • Allow creation of a fund within… Read more »

What a Funder Wants: How foundations and corporations decide whom—and how much—to fund

Posted , by Keith Curtis, President. Topic: Funds and Funders.

We heard it straight from the source. Each year, key organizations that guide fundraising in our region come together at the sold-out Funders Forum, hosted by VOLUNTEER Hampton Roads. I was honored to be asked, once again, to moderate the panel at the April 6 event. In addition, our firm’s executive vice president, Wendy McGrady,… Read more »

Emerging Trend: The Case for Growth Capital

Posted , by Wendy McGrady, Vice President. Topic: Philanthropy Research & Events, Funds and Funders.

At The Giving Institute’s November board meeting, Rodney Christopher of the F.B. Heron Foundation and Richard Shaw of Youth Villages delivered a thought-provoking presentation on an emerging trend in philanthropy called growth capital. The basic premise the speakers suggested is that healthy organizations can achieve greater success through investments of growth capital. Foundations seeking measurable,… Read more »

Tips from Foundation Leaders to Nonprofits: Notes from the 2013 Funders Forum

Posted , by Erin Phillips, Marketing Director and Consultant. Topic: Funds and Funders.

Last Thursday, we attended the VOLUNTEER Hampton Roads 2013 Funders Forum. Our president, Keith Curtis, served as moderator for the panel discussion comprised of five regional foundation leaders: Bert Davis of Capital One’s Community Relations; Katie Fletcher of the Norfolk Southern Foundation; Chris Perry of the Perry Family Foundation; Leigh Davis of the Hampton Roads Community… Read more »