Author: Virginia Davidson

Grant applications are an important component of most development operations. But they can also be a source of stress. It’s no small task to navigate the various guidelines, the different application formats, and the deadlines of each funder. Hopefully, you have a donor management system like Little Green Light that helps you track critical information such as application and reporting […]

Read More… from 6 simple ways to strengthen your grant applications

When your organization receives a gift from a new donor, doesn’t it make your day? You reached a new supporter who believes in your mission, and that’s cause for you to celebrate. How do you respond to that gift, though? Many of us don’t convey to our new donors that their gift made our day. When […]

Read More… from Why welcoming new donors is so important

The concept of a fundraising plan can seem daunting, especially if you’re new to fundraising or you’re fundraising for a small organization. The reality is that having a pre-planned strategy will be an asset to you as you fundraise throughout the year, no matter how large or small your organization is. Once you have a […]

Read More… from How to plan your way to fundraising success

Do you ever feel a little burned out in December? The last quarter of the calendar year is an especially busy one for fundraisers, and it’s normal to feel like you’ve run out of steam. With a new year approaching, though, it’s also an opportune time to get organized for the months ahead. Here’s a simple […]

Read More… from Gear up to be a productive, happy fundraiser in the new year

  It’s December and your year-end appeal letters are in the mail. Time to put your feet up and wait for those donations to roll in, right? Not quite. There are some simple but effective steps you can take to reinforce your appeal and boost your year-end fundraising results. Pick a few ideas from the list […]

Read More… from 8 last-minute tricks to boost your year-end fundraising

If you’re new to fundraising, the title of this blog post may look like jibberish to you—what in the world is a LYBUNT? LYBUNT is an acronym that refers to donors who contributed to your organization “Last Year But Unfortunately Not This”. Many fundraisers consider LYBUNTs to be low-hanging fruit: These donors expressed interest in […]

Read More… from Tips for tapping into the potential of your LYBUNT list

  Fundraisers are always juggling multiple priorities and deadlines. But during especially busy times, like when the end-of-year giving season is underway, stress levels soar to new heights and it can feel like your to-do list has no end in sight. Your job is to encourage donors to invest in your organization, but you’ll be […]

Read More… from 5 tips to help busy fundraisers manage stress

As fundraisers, we’re always on the lookout for a strategy or tool that will help raise more funds for our organization. It can be tempting to view a new tool as the silver bullet of fundraising: launch a [insert trendy idea of the month] and the funds will raise themselves! Not exactly. The reality is […]

Read More… from Direct mail is the silver bullet of fundraising

How to start a planned giving program without a planned giving officer Want to talk about death and finances? Didn’t think so. Planned giving, at its core, is indeed about death and finances, so if the words “planned giving” tie your stomach in knots, you’re not the only fundraiser who feels that way! But planned […]

Read More… from How to start a planned giving program without a planned giving officer