May 28, 2021
How to get familiar with four key non-profit financial statements Non-profit financial statements can be intimidating. But you don’t need a degree in accounting to have a working understanding of them. By familiarizing yourself with four key financial statements, you’ll gain a clearer understanding of how your fundraising efforts fit into the organization’s overall…
Read ArticleApril 28, 2021
A small book with big takeaways for nonprofit professionalsIf you work in a very small nonprofit, you’ve probably encountered one of these scenarios: When registering for a webinar, you're required to select your operating budget from a dropdown menu. The least amount listed is $500,000, so you choose that one—even though it dwarfs…
Read ArticleApril 15, 2021
3 simple ways to set your development committee up for successA development committee has the potential to maximize your organization's fundraising efforts, as long as you prepare and engage your committee members. Here are 3 simple ways to set your development committee members up for success: 1. Get the meeting agenda and any…
Read ArticleMarch 25, 2021
How to write a development job postingIf you’re hiring for a development position at your organization, you may be struggling to write a job posting that attracts applicants. To get some expert guidance, I reached out to Laura Weinman of Kistner Eddy Executive Services (KEES). Laura has more than 20 years of experience…
Read ArticleMarch 9, 2021
4 tips to help you prepare for the Form 990 Most federally tax-exempt organizations are required to file an annual tax return with the Internal Revenue Service called the Form 990. If you’re a development officer for a nonprofit, it’s unlikely that the responsibility for completing the Form 990 falls to you. But, it’s…
Read ArticleFebruary 9, 2021
What can a fundraiser learn from the Great British Baking Show?If you’ve watched the Great British Baking Show, you know there’s a lot to learn about choux pastry, the differences between Swiss, Italian, and French meringue, and of course, how to avoid a soggy bottom. I’d argue that beyond the baking-specific lessons, though, the Great…
Read ArticleJanuary 27, 2021
3 questions to ask as you plan your annual reportMany nonprofits create annual reports to provide financial transparency to their donors, thank supporters, and share the impact of the organization’s work over the past year. How can you prepare an annual report that conveys your organization’s message and is compelling to your supporters? Ask yourself…
Read ArticleDecember 22, 2020
4 simple ways to be a sustainable fundraiserAs a fundraiser, you work hard to ensure that your nonprofit has multiple sources of funding. It’s a crucial component of your organization’s sustainability. But how often do you consider your own sustainability as a fundraiser? The high rate of turnover among fundraisers is well-documented, and…
Read ArticleDecember 8, 2020
A simple 5-step checklist for fundraising emailsEmail appeals are an important component of your fundraising efforts. Before you click "Send" on your fundraising email, run through this simple 5-step checklist to make sure recipients will be able to successfully support your organization. Is your organization listed as the sender? Unless your…
Read ArticleNovember 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…
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