Fundraising Review and Reflections: What Worked in 2025 and What to Change for 2026 By Keith Curtis, Chairman and CEO For nonprofits, 2025 often felt like a test. The philanthropic landscape is undergoing rapid changes, and nonprofits are having to evolve along with it. We saw a lot of emerging trends this past year—charitable giving totals rose,… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Development Plan
What the 2025 Bank of America Study of Philanthropy Reveals About Today’s Donors
A version of this piece first appeared on Giving USA and The Giving Institute. We’ve expanded it here with added guidance for fundraisers. Turning Big Into Bigger: Engaging Your Major Donors With Data-Informed Strategies By Keith Curtis, Chairman and CEO Numbers tell a story, and research into donor behavior and giving trends gives organizations a roadmap to navigate… Read more »
Why Now Is the Time to Talk Legacy Giving with Your Donors
Make-A-Will Month Is Underway—Are You Making the Most of It? By Brantley Boyott, Guest Contributor Intro by Abby Webster, Vice President Did you know that August is Make-A-Will Month? Legacy giving through bequests in wills is a meaningful and lasting form of generosity. For this month’s newsletter, we are excited to collaborate with Brantley Boyett, co-Founder and president of Giving… Read more »
Tax Policy Is Changing—Here’s How to Talk to Your Donors
Slow and Steady Wins the Race: A Nonprofit’s Guide to Navigating the New Tax Policy with Donors By Ginny Reynolds-Badgett Consultant In Aesop’s timeless fable The Tortoise and the Hare, the steady and focused tortoise overtakes the boastful, erratic hare. The tortoise’s persistence pays off in the long run. Today’s nonprofits face what may… Read more »
AI + Fundraising = More Time for Donors
Want More Time with Donors? Start Using AI for These 3 Fundraising Tasks By Lindsey Rosenthal Associate Consultant As nonprofit fundraising professionals, we’re all too familiar with the pressures of doing more with fewer resources. Smaller teams. Larger goals. Greater expectations. But what if AI tools could help ease this burden—allowing us to focus on what… Read more »
Women Give Differently – Is Your Nonprofit Keeping Up?
Women Give Differently: The Unique Role of Women in Philanthropy By Kate Hildebrand Consultant Recently I had the opportunity to attend a panel discussion on the topic of women in philanthropy. It was inspiring to hear from local female leaders on a subject that is important to me personally as a woman in fundraising and one… Read more »
How to Create Strong, Strategic Fundraising Plans for the New Year
By Lauren Greene, Consultant Fundraising is core to the success of every nonprofit. It enables these organizations to recruit the strongest staff, enhance their programming and volunteer opportunities, and maximize the impact of the important work they do in their communities every day. Precisely because fundraising is so important, we know it can be intimidating… Read more »
Growing your Nonprofit’s Endowment
Seeds of Sustainability: Growing your Nonprofit’s Endowment This insightful presentation led by Executive Vice President Victoria Dietz and Associate Consultant Ginny Reynolds-Badgett delves into the art and science of growing a nonprofit endowment. Discover proven strategies, expert insights and practical tips to cultivate lasting financial sustainability for your organization. Learn how to plant the seeds… Read more »
Are You Eligible for Community Project Funding/Earmarks?
Are You Eligible for Community Project Funding/Earmarks? By Hilary Fulp, Senior Consultant The U.S. House of Representatives recently released guidance on Community Project Funding (also called earmarks) for FY24. With the constantly changing political landscape, our goal is to provide you with a brief overview of where things stand with earmarks as well as what you… Read more »
Three Ways to Start Your Year on the Right Foot
Three Fundraising Best Practices for Your New Year By Kaitlin Robb Consultant & Marketing Director After the intensity of the holidays and year-end giving, nothing beats a fresh calendar and a new year. Before you move forward, consider incorporating these best practices both now and throughout the year. Thank Your Donors Did you get an influx… Read more »
