Author: Virginia Davidson

To help you prepare for a successful year-end giving season, we’ve gathered five resources to help you plan and execute a successful appeal. 5 resources to make the most of your year-end giving season (opens in new tab) Four questions to answer before planning your year-end appeal(opens in new tab): Before you focus in on […]

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It’s no small task to put together a thorough and compelling grant application. But sometimes, the most stressful aspect can be completing the application when you’re against a deadline. These 3 tips can help you avoid last-minute panic with grant applications: Tip #1: Request all supporting materials. Before you even start drafting the application, review […]

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If you’ve ever scrambled to collect information for your annual report, you know it’s an unpleasant feeling. The best way to avoid that feeling is to start preparing for your next annual report as soon as your new fiscal year begins. That doesn’t mean you have to devote a ton of attention to it all […]

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For many nonprofit organizations, June 30 marks the end of the fiscal year. Whether that’s true for you or you follow a different schedule, as your fiscal year draws to a close you can take measures to ensure a strong foundation for the new one ahead. 5 ways to get your new fiscal year off […]

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Lapsed donors don’t just represent potential renewed support for your organization. They also offer valuable insights that you can use to evaluate and strengthen your fundraising plan. What is a lapsed donor? A lapsed donor is someone who contributed to your organization in the past but hasn’t made a gift within a defined recent period, […]

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If you’re a fundraiser looking to enhance your work, Neurogiving: The Science of Donor Decision-Making by Cherian Koshy offers valuable insights you can apply to your efforts. In the book, Koshy argues that while fundraising is often seen as the art of touching hearts, it is also very much about engaging brains, and he delves […]

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Foundations typically request financial documents as part of a nonprofit’s application for grant funding. These materials provide a bigger picture of your organization’s financial planning and health. But how are these documents actually used when assessing your application? I was happy to interview Celeste Arista Glover, who has many years of experience as a philanthropy […]

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Lapsed donors deserve attention from fundraisers. These donors supported your organization in the past, so there’s a good chance they’ll support you again—if you ask them to. Communication is key to recapturing lapsed donors, so review your lapsed donors and make a plan to connect with them. Here are some important things to keep in […]

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A well-crafted appeal letter compels people to make a gift to your organization, but the letter can only inspire donations if it is read. That’s why it’s important to consider the impression your envelope makes. Sarah Gnerre of Kirkwood Cultivate recommends imagining your grandparents receiving your appeal. When they hold the envelope, it should be […]

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