June 4, 2026
5 ways to create a strong foundation for your new fiscal yearFor 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…
Read ArticleMay 21, 2026
How to re-engage your lapsed donorsEvery organization has lapsed donors. These are donors who previously contributed to your organization, but for whatever reason they haven’t renewed their support. Their prior giving is evidence that they believe in your mission, though, and it’s a good indicator that they may give again.…
Read ArticleMay 21, 2026
How to use your lapsed donor data to strengthen your fundraising planLapsed 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…
Read ArticleMay 7, 2026
How to apply neuroscience to your fundraising effortsIf 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…
Read ArticleApril 22, 2026
How financial documents contribute to your grant applicationFoundations 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…
Read ArticleApril 9, 2026
Three tips to guide your event follow-up strategyMajor fundraising events can generate essential operations revenue, strengthen relationships with major donors, and introduce your mission to new supporters. Planning for these events is often all-consuming, and after months of hard work, you may be itching to return to your normal routine as soon…
Read ArticleMarch 12, 2026
It’s not too late to create a fundraising plan for the yearA fundraising plan is one of the most important tools a fundraiser can use to guide their work. But even if you began the new year without a plan in place, there’s still time to create one. We’ve rounded up three resources to help you…
Read ArticleFebruary 25, 2026
The importance of reaching out to your lapsed donorsLapsed 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…
Read ArticleFebruary 18, 2026
4 sure-fire ways to get your appeal envelopes openedA 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…
Read ArticleJanuary 23, 2026
Why you should apply Swedish Death Cleaning to your donor management systemThe concept of Swedish Death Cleaning is pretty straightforward: We pare down our possessions before we die so that our surviving loved ones aren’t burdened by an overwhelming amount of our stuff. And though “Death Cleaning” sounds morbid, one of its most powerful benefits comes…
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