November 11, 2020
6 tips for successfully acknowledging pledgesWhen it comes to managing pledges in your donor management system, it's important to understand what they are and how to best acknowledge them. What is a pledge? A pledge is a constituent’s promise to donate a specific sum to an organization. The donor fulfills the…
Read ArticleOctober 27, 2020
Your simple #GivingTuesday checklistThe idea behind #GivingTuesday is simple enough: It’s designed to encourage making online gifts to nonprofits on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving. But a successful #GivingTuesday requires careful planning in advance. Here’s a quick checklist you can follow to get your organization ready for #GivingTuesday…
Read ArticleOctober 6, 2020
How to create an acknowledgment template for sponsorshipsSponsorships might be an important funding source for your nonprofit organization. As you prepare to solicit sponsorships, set some time aside to prepare an acknowledgment template specifically for your sponsors. Sponsorships are different from a typical charitable gift, so there are some key elements to keep…
Read ArticleSeptember 24, 2020
Six tips to prepare a successful mailingWhether you’re sending out a solicitation letter for your annual appeal, an event invitation, or a newsletter, a successful postal mailing requires careful planning and careful review. Here’s a simple checklist of six tips to help you prepare a successful mailing. 6 tips for a…
Read ArticleAugust 13, 2020
Your guide to writing a compelling appeal letterAre you staring at an empty screen, trying to craft a compelling fundraising appeal letter? We’ve all been there! Check out our collection of resources to take you from blank page to rough draft to polished appeal letter, complete with remittance envelope and acknowledgment letter,…
Read ArticleJuly 22, 2020
Lessons from political campaigns for year-end appealsAs appeal season draws closer, there are some key takeaways from political campaigns you can incorporate into your appeal plan. Consider these two scenarios: Imagine it’s 5pm on a local election day. You get a call from a volunteer with candidate XYZ’s campaign, asking if…
Read ArticleJuly 9, 2020
Use financial statements to create a stronger fundraising planYour organization’s financial statements offer a wealth of information that you can use to create a well-crafted and realistic fundraising plan. A fundraising plan is your guide to how much money you need to raise, why you need to raise it, and how you’ll raise it. You don’t…
Read ArticleJune 2, 2020
Helping your co-workers to avoid burnout during Covid19Burnout can hit fundraisers hard under normal circumstances, and you may find this feeling is especially rampant as you work remotely during the Covid19 pandemic. Here are four ways you and your coworkers can help each other reduce stress and avoid burnout. Ration your video…
Read ArticleApril 23, 2020
10 resources to help guide nonprofits amidst coronavirusWhat tone do you strike with donors in the midst of a global pandemic? How do you support your coworkers and employees while working remotely? What should your board be doing? Will this crisis change philanthropy forever? We know you’re grappling with a lot of…
Read ArticleApril 9, 2020
Are your potential donors falling through the cracks?Any person who expresses interest in your organization could become important to your organization, whether as a volunteer, donor, or advocate. Unless they hear from you after the initial point of contact, though, it’s unlikely they’ll become involved. Are you missing out on potential supporters?…
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