Why You Should Invest in Your Organization’s Infrastructure

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What exactly do we mean by infrastructure? And how important is it to your institution's health? Just consider: infrastructure is the fuel that makes everything run. If you are trying to educate kids, heal the sick, feed the hungry, or help…
Redefine "Fundraising" and You Can Build a Culture of Philanthropy

Redefine “Fundraising” and You Can Build a Culture of Philanthropy

Does your institution have a true culture of philanthropy? Diving deeper, the real question is: is there really full support for fundraising across your entire organization? All the way from your board members to program staffers? Often,…

A Look at Post-COVID Fundraising for 2021

What is the outlook for post-COVID fundraising? There's good news to share! Giving is up - right now - across the board. What’s more, the outlook for charitable giving in the next year or two is also looking very good. We predicted a…

Three Things Your CFO Needs to Know About Fundraising

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1 Fundraising is predictable. 2. Fundraising is built on relationships with people who are donors.  3. Donors are not ATMs. Right now, our fundraising community is feeling tremendous pressure and getting many conflicting messages.  Where…

Don’t Carry Out Your Mission on the Backs of Your Staff

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Julian was a superstar young staffer on our client’s Annual Fund team. He doubled his area's contributions in his first year. Using his social and digital skills, he ramped up donor engagement and gifts.  In only six weeks, Julian…

How to Appreciate Your Fundraising Team

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In the nonprofit sector, it seems many people doing the hard work are not often thanked or appreciated. The fundraising team lavishes attention on supporters. But who remembers those hardworking staffers themselves? Many great fundraisers…

Seven Fundraising Misconceptions Holding Back Your Organization

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Fundraising can be a wildly misunderstood activity. Many nonprofit CEOs and board members bring their own personal misconceptions about fundraising when they walk in the door of a nonprofit. Some think fundraising is snarky – like…

Why Are We Facing a Fundraiser Exodus?

Are fundraisers ready to leave their jobs? Are we really facing a future fundraiser exodus This week’s big news is a new survey of fundraisers conducted by the Harris Poll for AFP and the Chronicle of Philanthropy. The survey found…

Rule #2 for Board Members: Know Your Fundraising Roles and Responsibilities

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What are the fundraising responsibilities of nonprofit board members? This post outlines Rule #2 in The Board Member's Guide to Fundraising: 10 Rules for Success Every Board Member Must Know Know Your Roles and Responsibilities in Fundraising This…

How to Get Your Whole Organization Behind Major Gift Fundraising

What would be possible if your whole organization supported a full-scale major gift fundraising program? You’d be able to raise tons of money to fund important projects and urgent expenses at your organization. You’d have…

Redefine “Fundraising” and You Can Build a Culture of Philanthropy

I think we need to redefine fundraising if we want to create an internal culture that will support philanthropy. Why? Because many people are uncomfortable with the idea of “fundraising.” When you redefine "fundraising" into other…

Want to Develop a Culture of Philanthropy? Take This Simple Quiz.

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Do you want to develop a culture of philanthropy? One that would help create amazing fundraising results? Wouldn't it be wonderful to have an organization-wide effort to develop and engage supporters in your cause! But how do we get…

The New Paradigm: From “Fundraising” to “Philanthropy”

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There’s a new way of thinking coming along - one that is shaping the future of fundraising. It’s a move AWAY from the narrow idea of simple "fundraising" that focuses on "money." It’s a move TOWARD a much broader, more holistic notion…