Category Archives: Fundraising
3 Ways to Gauge the Success of Your Next Fundraiser
As fundraising professionals, we’ve all experienced that awkward moment when a VIP donor comes up with the “best fundraising idea ever” and, in reality, it’s much closer to the worst idea. In “15 Really Bad Real Ideas from Real Nonprofits”
Takeaways From the Year-End Nonprofit Fundraising Survey
Last year over 1,300 organizations responded to the Nonprofit Research Collaborative’s year-end Nonprofit Fundraising Survey (NFS). This annual report collects data on everything from overall sector growth, to fundraising goals, to regional data, to projections for the future. It’s thorough,
Make the Ask: How to Write a Fundraising Letter
During the holidays, many people celebrate by getting together with family and friends, eating too much, exchanging gifts and drinking lots of hot cocoa. In the nonprofit world, the end of the year usually also means sending a fundraising letter
How to Read the Minds of Your Donors
This article was originally published in Nonprofit Hub Magazine. Whenever I’m asked to choose an icebreaker question at a networking event, I fall back on an old favorite: If you could have any superpower, what would it be? There are
How Your Nonprofit Can Partner with Local Businesses
When nonprofits and local businesses work together, both parties reap the benefits. The nonprofit gets the word out about its cause and expands its donor base, and the business boosts its sales and exposure in the community. It may sound
7 Fall Fundraiser Ideas
The leaves are changing, the air is chilly and you can’t escape the smell of bonfire no matter where you go—it must be fall! With a new season upon us, we present you with seven wallet-friendly fall fundraiser ideas that
5 Tips to Improve Your Online Fundraising
Making an online ask may seem difficult if you’re not used to digitally interacting with donors, but you’d be surprised by how easy it can be. Check out these five tips for bolstering your online fundraising. 1. Develop your social
Let Your Networking Lead to Donations
Working in the nonprofit industry presents its own set of challenges. Rather than gaining funds by selling a product or service, nonprofits rely on donations. Building better relationships with our donors is the nonprofit version of improving our products—it’s essential
How to Maintain Donor Engagement Between Asks
Remember when you first went off to college and pretty much only called your parents to ask (okay, beg) for money? Well, your mom and dad still had to love you unconditionally, but if you do the same thing to
How to Start a Foundation for Your Organization
A foundation is a private nongovernmental organization created for “charitable, educational, religious, scientific and literary purposes,” according to Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code. It’s organized by a single source—like a family or corporation—which then distributes grants to help fund
