October 9, 2025
How to rescue your fundraising data from a cycle of panic and neglectA cycle of panic and neglect usually refers to public health crises or natural disasters. But those same patterns can pop up in other aspects of our lives. And when it comes to fundraising data, the cycle of panic and neglect is easy to fall…
Read ArticleOctober 1, 2025
What is a bequest?According to the National Philanthropic Trust, planned giving through bequests amounted to $45.84 billion in 2024. It’s important for fundraisers to have a basic understanding of what a bequest is, since it’s the simplest way for donors to make a planned gift to your organization.…
Read ArticleSeptember 18, 2025
4 ideas for an effective year-end fundraising appealYour organization’s year-end appeal is an important opportunity to raise funds for your mission. To help you do that, we’ve gathered four ideas to help you implement an effective year-end fundraising appeal: Idea #1: Incorporate local businesses into your appeal By expanding your appeal beyond…
Read ArticleSeptember 4, 2025
How Stephen King’s writing tips can help you craft a compelling fundraising appeal letterIf you need to write an appeal letter for your nonprofit organization, you probably wouldn’t consider Stephen King to be a resource. But his book titled On Writing includes some gems that are applicable to fundraisers, too. Here are 5 tips from Stephen King, the…
Read ArticleAugust 20, 2025
What to include in a letter of inquiryA letter of inquiry (LOI) is sent by a nonprofit to a foundation or other entity that concisely introduces a funding need and asks if the foundation is willing to receive a full proposal. LOIs are a useful tool for both the nonprofit seeking funding…
Read ArticleAugust 7, 2025
4 key tasks before you leave your fundraising jobAs a fundraiser, your work helps move your organization’s mission forward. If you’re preparing to leave your fundraising job, what steps can you take to help your successor build on your work? Heather Eddy, President and CEO of Kistner Eddy Executive Services (KEES), recommends putting together some key…
Read ArticleJuly 18, 2025
How easy is it for donors to make a gift to your organization?It’s important to make it easy for donors to make a gift to your organization, but what does that actually mean when it comes to your online donation forms? One approach is to follow the advice that James Clear shares in Atomic Habits, intended to…
Read ArticleJuly 1, 2025
How board member involvement can strengthen your year-end appealEngaging your organization’s board members in your year-end appeal can boost the effectiveness of your appeal. But in order to involve your board members productively, it’s important to choose an approach that best suits your organization. To gather some practical and effective ways to involve…
Read ArticleJune 10, 2025
Learn the fundamentals of gift entryStrong gift entry practices are the gateway to a strong fundraising program, and learning and mastering the fundamentals of proper gift entry are essential. No two fundraising programs are alike. One organization might achieve its fundraising goals through an annual gala, a planned giving program,…
Read ArticleJune 6, 2025
4 midyear tips to maximize your fundraising resultsThe halfway point through the calendar year offers a valuable opportunity for fundraisers. Whether you’re on track to meet your fundraising goals or you’re falling a bit short at midyear, there’s still ample time to prepare for a strong second half of the year. In…
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