August 24, 2023
When are pledges useful for your fundraising efforts?While a useful tool in some scenarios, pledges can also be the source of a lot of unnecessary work for a fundraiser. To get some perspective on whether or not to use pledges, I chatted with Sarah Lange, author of The Field Guide to Fundraising for…
Read ArticleAugust 10, 2023
5 resources to help you plan a successful year-end appealYear-end appeals bring in crucial funds to support a nonprofit’s mission. Are you ready to make the most of this season of giving? The work you do in the months leading up to your appeal can lay the groundwork for great results. To help you…
Read ArticleJuly 19, 2023
Retain new donors with a simple welcome processAre you maximizing the opportunity to retain your new donors as repeat donors? Many first-time donors won’t contribute again. Unfortunately, that means lost opportunities for your organization. But developing a welcome process for new donors can help you retain them. How to maximize the opportunity…
Read ArticleJuly 17, 2023
Can a CRM help you to be a better fundraiser?When it comes to nonprofit fundraising, finding the right systems and tools to simplify your development operations is an amazing time-saver. Utilizing a nonprofit CRM can not only save you valuable time, but it can also truly transform your nonprofit’s fundraising efforts! Want to know…
Read ArticleJuly 13, 2023
3 meaningful fundraising metrics to trackTracking meaningful metrics enables you to evaluate and modify your fundraising plan for greater success—and to avoid losing the support of donors. The first two metrics listed below are basic building blocks: what are your overall fundraising totals by year, and are your donors new…
Read ArticleJuly 12, 2023
4 questions to answer before planning your year-end appealYour organization’s year-end appeal is an important opportunity to raise funds for your mission. Before you focus on details for your next year-end appeal, though, make sure you can answer "Yes" to these questions from last year’s appeal. That way, you’ll be well positioned to…
Read ArticleJune 23, 2023
How to audit your data to improve fundraising effortsGood data hygiene is the key to fundraising success for nonprofit organizations. It means you can run accurate reports. You can make sound decisions about where to concentrate your fundraising efforts. And, you can keep your supporters well-informed. That’s why it’s so important to audit…
Read ArticleJune 8, 2023
Six tips for the start of a new fiscal yearMany nonprofit organizations operate with a fiscal year start date of July 1, and the start of a new fiscal year marks an opportune time to get organized for your fundraising efforts in the months ahead. Here’s a checklist to help you start the new…
Read ArticleMay 17, 2023
4 tips to maximize the benefits of a community giving dayThe weeks leading up to a community giving day are a blur of social media posts and e-blasts. In order to maximize the benefits of those efforts, it’s crucial that you also have a plan in place for afterward. Otherwise, those donors who supported you…
Read ArticleMay 4, 2023
The Field Guide to Fundraising for NonprofitsIt’s always a treat to encounter a fundraising resource that’s motivating while also clearly grounded in reality. The Field Guide to Fundraising for Nonprofits: Fusing Creativity and New Best Practices by Sarah B. Lange isn’t a newly published book, but it’s new to me. And…
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