Donors want to see you making an impact on the community—but you need to make an impact on donors, too. One of the best ways to do both is through a well-designed and engaging case for support. A case for support is the basis of all your fundraising materials. Your case should outline your organization’s… Read more »
Four steps to turn your members into major donors
The search for new donors can be costly and time-consuming … and let’s face it, as an arts and culture nonprofit, you’d rather be focusing on programs. What if I told you that’s the same place you should be looking for donors? Because the best prospects are already right under your nose, and already passionate… Read more »
Not another year-end appeal! 12 writing tips to stand out & inspire action
If you’ve worked in the nonprofit world more than a year, you might already be weary of the pressure to maximize year-end gifts. It’s not that different for your donors, who are often bombarded with requests as December 31 looms closer. The way you communicate your message is key to cutting through the clutter and… Read more »
How to write thank-you letters your donors will actually read
Acknowledgment letters are more than an obligation. They’re an opportunity—to build donor relationships, to educate and hopefully, to inspire future giving. But let’s face it, many of these missives leave us less than inspired. Do you read all the nonprofit thank-you letters you receive? Me neither. What’s different about the ones you do read? Here… Read more »
Examining Your Board: Notes from the AFP International Conference
At this year’s Association of Fundraising Professionals International Conference in San Antonio, I participated in two sessions on board leadership and how to create a dynamic, purposeful group of volunteers. Kay Sprinkel Grace, spoke passionately about the need to create an environment where there is permission to innovate. Board members and staff should be encouraged to… Read more »
Moving into Campaign: When to Say Go!
The latest edition of The Curtis Group e-newsletter, Raising Money: Winter 2014, outlined the four phases of a capital campaign. Additionally, our team recently hosted a webinar and conducted a training session through Tidewater Community College’s Academy for Nonprofit Excellence—all focused on campaigns and campaign readiness. Now, we will explore the transition from Phase One,… Read more »
Tips to Help Your Board Raise Major Gifts – As Published in The Major Gifts Report
As a nonprofit staff member, how can you help create a board of directors who are both willing and able to do their part in raising major gifts for your organization? Nonprofit consultant Keith Curtis, whose company The Curtis Group provides board development training, among other consulting services, says the process starts with board recruitment and continues… Read more »
Giving USA 2013: Highlights and Tips from the Annual Report on Philanthropy
Giving USA Foundation recently released Giving USA 2013, the 58th consecutive edition and the longest running comprehensive study on philanthropy in America. The Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, researches and writes Giving USA. As one of 40 members of the Giving Institute, and with our president as vice-chair of the Giving USA Foundation, The… Read more »
Connecting with Millennials: How Nonprofits Can Build Relationships with Tomorrow’s Leaders
The most recent AFP eWire featured three short, but informative, articles on tapping into the power of Millennials. Nonprofits know this influential generational group is more “connected” than any of its predecessors. But, how can the estimated 92 million members of the Millennial generation (born between 1980 and 2001) be motivated to effectively rally behind a… Read more »
Board Service: How Many Is Too Many?
Last week I led a class for the Board Development Academy hosted by the Center for Nonprofit Excellence in Charlottesville, VA. The Board Development Academy is for engaged community leaders, people either early on in their board careers or those who have never been on a board, who want to learn how to effectively serve… Read more »
