Margaret Battistelli Gardner

Here's your chance to chime in and help us paint a picture of trends and best practices across all aspects of the nonprofit world in the new year.

As we close out 2014 and head into what is considered the warmest, kindest, most spiritual and “giving-est” time of the year, I leave you with these thoughts. Not all heroes wear capes, and we have no idea what the person in line ahead of us does or is capable of making happen. Your donors are heroes. Remember that, and treat them as such. Engage with them, give thanks to them and for them. Figure out what you need to do to unlock their inner hero, and do it.

And so are you. Remember that, too, when the day-to-day of what you do feels overwhelming. Or disappointing. When it breaks your heart. Or your back. What you do matters. Thank you for doing it. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from our family to yours.

Check out the winners of the 2014 FundRaising Success Gold Awards for Fundraising Excellence Website category from Milwaukee Rescue Mission, The Wilderness Society and Union Rescue Mission.

Check out the winner of the 2014 FundRaising Success Gold Awards for Fundraising Excellence Social-Media Mastery category from the Human Rights Campaign.

Check out the winners of the 2014 FundRaising Success Gold Awards for Fundraising Excellence Special Events category from the Jewish Federation of Delaware, Art Institute of Chicago and MSPCA-Angell.

Check out the winners of the 2014 FundRaising Success Gold Awards for Fundraising Excellence Telefundraising (Less Than $10 Million) category from the Democratic Governors Association and Charitable Resource Foundation.

The FundRaising Success Virtual Conference and Expo is free, and it takes place today! It's not too late to register and join in on the fun. More than 2,000 of your colleagues already have!

Check out the winners of the 2014 FundRaising Success Gold Awards for Fundraising Excellence Telefundraising ($10 Million) category from the Democratic National Committee and EMILY'S List.

Check out the winners of the 2014 FundRaising Success Gold Awards for Fundraising Excellence Email (Less Than $10 Million) category from Guide Dogs for the Blind, NARAL and People for the American Way.

Check out the winners of the 2014 FundRaising Success Gold Awards for Fundraising Excellence Email ($10 Million and Over) category from the National Park Foundation and Wilderness Society.

Check out the winners of the 2014 FundRaising Success Gold Awards for Fundraising Excellence Direct Mail (Less Than $10 Million) category: Iona College, World Jewish Congress and Tiger Haven.

Take a look at the 2014 Gold Awards for Fundraising Excellence Direct Mail ($10 million and Over) winners: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Longwood Gardens and Perez Art Museum Miami.

FundRaising Success is excited to be sitting down with the ALS Association to talk about what's happening in that organization in the aftermath of the social-media phenomenon, the Ice Bucket Challenge.

Take a look at the 2014 Gold Awards for Fundraising Excellence Multichannel ($10 million and Over) fundraising campaign winners from The Children's Center, Human Rights Campaign and Wounded Warrior Project.

Check out the winners of the 2014 FundRaising Success Gold Awards for Fundraising Excellence Multichannel (Less Than $10 Million) category.