What Makes Your Nonprofit Effective?

Posted , by Wendy McGrady. Topic: Funds and Funders, Nonprofit Management.

The Curtis Group enjoyed being a sponsor of and participating in VOLUNTEER Hampton Roads’ 2011 Funders Forum. The morning began with a panel of five, local foundation representatives responding to and sharing conversation over various questions. I enjoyed hearing the responses to this question: How do you determine what makes a nonprofit effective? The first panelist… Read more »

Are You Receiving Gifts From Donor-Advised Funds?

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

While in Chicago, I attended a presentation on the role of community foundations in today’s giving environment. Jason Baxendale, director of gift planning for The Chicago Community Trust, and Terry Shavone, The Columbus Foundation’s vice president for donor services and development (both of which are ranked in the top 10 largest community foundations in the… Read more »

Wealthy Donors Are Giving Big

Posted , by Keith Curtis. Topic: High-Net-Worth Individuals, Philanthropy Research & Events.

The headline says it all: “Year-End Giving Season Is Bountiful for Charities That Rely on the Wealthy.” Not only is this encouraging news for nonprofits, it’s validating for us. Over our 22-year history, we’ve stressed the incomparable value of high-net-worth donors, and we’ve hit that message even harder during the economic downturn because we know they’re… Read more »

Engaging the Millennial Generation

Posted , by Keith Curtis. Topic: Donor Communication.

In our latest enewsletter sent out Tuesday, Wendy wrote about differences in giving by generation. Great minds think alike—this week Giving USA issued a Spotlight report on “Charitable Giving and the Millennial Generation.” It’s packed full of data on the philanthropic differences among generations, along with recommendations on how to engage and cultivate millennials. Comprising… Read more »

Cultivating High-Net-Worth Donors

Posted , by Wendy McGrady. Topic: High-Net-Worth Individuals.

After a recent meeting with a client and a high-net-worth donor, I was reflecting on the recent data from the 2010 Study of High Net Worth Philanthropy. The study results showed that these donors typically make their giving decisions with their spouse and like to involve their children and families wherever possible. These donors are… Read more »

High-Net-Worth Philanthropy Study Published

Posted , by Keith Curtis. Topic: High-Net-Worth Individuals, Philanthropy Research & Events.

Yesterday, the 2010 Study of High Net Worth Philanthropy was released. Produced by Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, and the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University, this is the third edition of the study, which was also issued in 2008 and 2006. High-net-worth households are defined as those with annual incomes of $200,000 or more,… Read more »

Making the Most of Changes in Corporate Giving

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

This past Saturday I was interviewed on a Maryland radio station about the state of corporate philanthropy. In reviewing the latest data beforehand, I came across two blog-worthy points. The first is the growing trend of companies seeking alternatives to cash giving to support charitable activities, such as promoting employee volunteerism or offering staffers paid… Read more »

“Anonymous” May Not Be the Same for Everyone

Posted , by Wesley Stanley. Topic: Donors.

Yesterday Wendy and I attended the AFP North Carolina Philanthropy Conference. Along with conducting her “Making the Successful Ask” presentation, Wendy hosted a round-table discussion during lunch on donor cultivation and stewardship. One guest at our table recounted a story that illustrates the importance of listening to donors and asking how they’d liked to be… Read more »

The Common Courtesy of Stewardship

Posted , by Wendy McGrady. Topic: Donor Communication, Donor Retention.

At the Giving Institute Summer Symposium last month, a representative of a major national corporation who sat on a panel of philanthropists offered good advice to nonprofits about giving and stewardship. One request he made concerned nonprofits to which his foundation has made a gift. He said he would appreciate a call from a board… Read more »

Keep Your Funders in the Know

Posted , by Jamie Stump. Topic: Funds and Funders.

Last Thursday’s Funders Forum, held by Volunteer Hampton Roads and moderated by Keith, gave nonprofit professionals and board members a direct line to a panel comprising the Hon. Richard Bray of the Beazley Foundation, Angelica Light of the Hampton Roads Community Foundation, Deborah Wyld of the Norfolk Southern Foundation, Michael Howland of the Southeastern Council of… Read more »