Two thirds of Americans don’t have a will. That’s a vast area of untapped resources for the nonprofit sector. Expanding a current gifts program or taking on the challenge of beginning one is incredibly rewarding but takes time to ferment. Encouraging people to make a will and include your nonprofit [...]
For the last 5 or so years, there has been a trend in new donor acquisition: Response rates continue to drop while average gifts continue to rise. This means that fewer people are donating to charities, but those who do are giving larger amounts. There are a variety of theories [...]
Unfortunately, there are no “silver bullets” in fundraising. Above all else, consistency, a positive mindset, and smart strategy are the only true “secret ingredients” to sustainable fundraising efforts and success. But there are a few strategies you can use to make a major impact in terms of dollars raised with [...]
This is part 2 in a 3-part series. Read part 1. Stay tuned for part 3. From my perspective, there are three pillars of transformation required of nonprofits that want to thrive in the post-disruption, post-COVID economy. In the first article of this three-part series, I explored why digital transformation [...]
As young professionals who have served both as members and staff managers of these groups, Sarah Willey and Corinne Austin will lead you through the research on Next Gen supporters, challenges to anticipate, and steps your organization can take to start a new young friends board from scratch OR to [...]
Our Ask An Expert series features real questions answered by Claire Axelrad, J.D., CFRE, our very own Fundraising Coach, also known as Charity Clairity. Today's question comes from a fundraiser who wants advice on ways to stay in touch with potential donors who have major donor potential. Dear Charity Clairity, [...]
“Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.” —Dale Carnegie From tycoons of industry to single unit startups, everyone has to deal with negative emotions which are a very [...]
For the last three years, I’ve devoted virtually every day to the challenge of training professionals and especially volunteer fundraisers to overcome the fear of asking for gifts for their favorite nonprofits. There are a variety of ways to raise private money including grant writing, special events, telethons, posting on [...]
What is it about the fundraising profession that makes people with no training in fundraising or fundraising copywriting think *they* know best? I doubt these same nonprofit CEOs and/or board members would brazenly walk into an operating room and try their hands at surgery. It breaks my fundraising heart each [...]
This is the first post in a 3-part series. Stay tuned for part 2 and part 3. Faced with existential crises thanks to the pandemic and the social upheaval of the past year, businesses of all stripes (nonprofits included) went into survival mode. Alarmed at how unprepared they were, they [...]
Barely a day goes by when I don’t contact a friend in the nonprofit sector. I always ask how their organization is, but just as important a question is: How are they? I meet some of the most driven and kind-hearted individuals in this industry, but all too often they [...]
Lindsay Simonds will decode the top five most impactful ways people contribute to communities. By understanding core motivations, intentions, perspectives reflected in this webinar, you will be able to build a stronger case for support, increase the impact you have, and gain strategies for creating and preserving community. Full Transcript: [...]