Author: Virginia Davidson

One of the most challenging aspects of being a new fundraiser is getting familiar with the vocabulary that goes along with the job. To help make things easier for you, we’ve put together a list of 25 terms and their definitions that you’ll likely encounter sooner rather than later. Download our free glossary as a […]

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  In-kind gifts of goods bring in much-needed supplies for your organization and free up funds for other expenses. They also help you build relationships with individual and corporate donors who might not make a financial contribution to your organization. Those are the positive aspects of in-kind gifts. But there are negative aspects to accepting in-kind […]

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Many organizations have chosen to offer virtual events due to Covid-19 rather than cancelling events altogether. As a result, your events may have attracted new attendees who wouldn’t have been able to attend an in-person event, because of geography or other reasons. Have you communicated with these attendees after your virtual event? Fundraising expert Claire […]

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Tracking meaningful metrics enables you to evaluate and modify your fundraising plan for greater success—and to avoid losing the support of donors. The first two metrics listed below are basic building blocks: what are your overall fundraising totals by year, and are your donors new donors or returning donors? The third set of metrics helps […]

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If you work in a very small nonprofit, you’ve probably encountered one of these scenarios: When registering for a webinar, you’re required to select your operating budget from a dropdown menu. The least amount listed is $500,000, so you choose that one—even though it dwarfs your organization’s actual annual budget. As part of the signup […]

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A development committee has the potential to maximize your organization’s fundraising efforts, as long as you prepare and engage your committee members. Here are 3 simple ways to set your development committee members up for success: 1.       Get the meeting agenda and any reports to your development committee a week before your meeting. […]

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If you’ve watched the Great British Baking Show, you know there’s a lot to learn about choux pastry, the differences between Swiss, Italian, and French meringue, and of course, how to avoid a soggy bottom. I’d argue that beyond the baking-specific lessons, though, the Great British Baking Show offers some important wisdom fundraisers can use […]

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Many nonprofits create annual reports to provide financial transparency to their donors, thank supporters, and share the impact of the organization’s work over the past year. How can you prepare an annual report that conveys your organization’s message and is compelling to your supporters? Ask yourself these 3 questions as you plan ahead for your next […]

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As a fundraiser, you work hard to ensure that your nonprofit has multiple sources of funding. It’s a crucial component of your organization’s sustainability. But how often do you consider your own sustainability as a fundraiser? The high rate of turnover among fundraisers is well-documented, and there are costs associated with this turnover. Each time a […]

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