October 12, 2017
5 tips to spruce up your fundraising materialsWhen was the last time you reviewed your fundraising materials? It’s a good idea to periodically re-evaluate and update your materials. Here are five key things to focus on. Case statement. Your case statement, or case for support, tells your donors and prospective donors why…
Read ArticleSeptember 12, 2017
Budget-friendly ideas to retain nonprofit staffA few years ago, I arrived bleary-eyed at my desk the morning after a big event hosted by the nonprofit organization I worked for. I was tired out from the months of preparation and from the event itself, but as any fundraiser knows there’s still…
Read ArticleSeptember 5, 2017
Is now the right time for a donor database? Does your nonprofit need a donor database? Ah, the question that strikes fear in the hearts of many nonprofit development staff! I’ll bet you’ve heard plenty of reasons why this is so, a few of which may include: “Donor databases are so expensive, and…
Read ArticleAugust 29, 2017
The fundraiser’s guide to a successful appeal seasonA few years ago, the United States Postal Service released a holiday commercial that showed a determined little mail truck barreling down snow-covered streets and dirt roads to deliver packages on time. The ad declares, “Football has a season. Baseball has a season. This is…
Read ArticleJune 6, 2017
4 ways to encourage millennials to support your cause I worked at a library during graduate school, and one of my tasks was to shelve the periodicals and keep them in order. I couldn’t stop myself from paging through the newspapers and magazines as I (slowly) completed this task. Plenty of articles tried…
Read ArticleMay 3, 2017
4 tips for creating an inspiring annual reportAnnual reports are a useful tool for donor stewardship and marketing, but they can be a ton of work to put together. In addition, the end product may strike your donors as lengthy and dull—the exact opposite of the reaction you want them to have! With that…
Read ArticleApril 4, 2017
How to make the most out of your fundraising eventMany nonprofit organizations rely on events to raise funds as well as awareness about their mission. Successful events are the ones that are part of a wider fundraising plan, and in order to get the most from your event it’s vital that you have a…
Read ArticleMarch 21, 2017
Tips for retaining your donors after a Giving DayParticipating in a 24-hour online giving event like Giving Tuesday or Give Local America is a great opportunity for your organization to raise funds. To fully harness its power, though, it's important to look beyond the day itself! If your Giving Day is a community-wide event,…
Read ArticleMarch 7, 2017
How to re-engage your lapsed donors Every 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…
Read ArticleFebruary 13, 2017
6 simple ways to strengthen your grant applicationsGrant 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…
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