Author: Virginia Davidson

Fundraisers typically use development dashboards to share fundraising activities and progress toward goals with board members and development committee members. Common information tracked on monthly development dashboards can include donor retention, number of new donors, grant applications submitted and percentage approved, and year-to-date amounts raised through various appeals and events. Why not tweak this tool […]

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#GivingTuesday is designed to encourage online gifts on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving, but there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to this annual online giving event. Everyone can determine how best to incorporate #GivingTuesday into their existing year-end appeal efforts. You can even augment your fundraising efforts and strengthen relationships by using #GivingTuesday to thank your supporters. […]

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As the calendar turns to autumn each year, fundraisers at nonprofits of all sizes and missions shift their focus to their year-end fundraising appeal. It’s a big endeavor, and with good reason—most donors choose to make their charitable contributions in December. We’ve compiled this collection of 10 resources that offer practical tips and suggestions to help […]

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Will your year-end fundraising appeal bring in the results your organization relies on in order to carry out its mission in the year ahead? The work you do in the months leading up to your appeal can lay the groundwork for great results. Follow these four steps to get your appeal off to a strong […]

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When you’re job-seeking, it’s natural to focus on demonstrating how you’re a good fit for the organization. But, it’s also important to feel confident that the organization is a place where you can succeed as a fundraiser. Asking these four key interview questions will help prepare you to make an informed decision about whether the […]

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A well-planned fundraising event can boost your organization’s revenue, raise awareness of your mission, and cultivate relationships with supporters. We know it takes a lot to plan and execute a successful event, and we’ve rounded up these resources to offer help as you tackle your to-do list. Planning and managing your event Events are expensive […]

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When you’re hiring a new member of your development team, it is important to get a good grasp of your current development operations so you’ll be better able to hire the right candidate. Before you delve into the interviewing process, there are four important questions to ask yourself:   Question #1: How is your development […]

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Fundraisers always strive to write appeal letters that inspire donors to contribute, but even the most compelling appeal letter won’t bring in results if donors don’t receive it. As you plan your next appeal mailing, consider running your database through the National Change of Address Registry to ensure that you’re sending letters to current addresses. […]

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Development committees have the potential to turbocharge your development efforts, but managing them can sometimes feel like a tedious chore. One time, I hit a point where I felt like the committee chair and I were stuck in a rut. We spent most of our time preparing for and reporting to the development committee at […]

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Once you’ve successfully secured sponsorships for your fundraising event, how can you increase the likelihood that they’ll continue to offer their support? In this blog post, we offer a plan for before, during, and after your event to help you retain your sponsors. What to do leading up to the event: Ensure accuracy Make sure […]

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