Fundraiser Education

The idea of raising major gifts can seem elusive and mysterious. However, recent research shows that even those at small and mid-sized nonprofit organizations can raise major gifts with a few small shifts in process and mindset...

Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) International recently released its Practice Exam, a Web-based tool to help fundraisers prepare for the CFRE exam. The questions in the practice exam are written in a “similar style and degree of difficulty to those contained in the CFRE exam...

Storytelling has been "hot" for some time now and for good reason. Our human brains are wired for storytelling. We’re automatically open and receptive. So, you’d be foolish not to use this to your advantage when it comes to your nonprofit marketing and fundraising—especially if your goal is to raise money. Storytelling is not difficult once you get the knack of it...

Storytelling has been “hot” for some time now and for good reason. Our human brains are wired for storytelling. We’re automatically open and receptive. Contrast this to how we naturally put up our dukes to refute facts. It’s human nature to want to be drawn into a good yarn. It’s also human nature to want […]

Now more than ever, nonprofits and their boards must guard against unwanted, negative legal exposure. This article discusses some of the top legal risks facing nonprofit boards, as well as practical tips for addressing these risks...

Well, isn’t it obvious that the CEO is the nonprofit organization’s chief fundraiser? Not really. Not when you observe the behavior of nonprofit CEOs, as I have over the past four decades. I’ve observed that nonprofit CEOs often restrict their fundraising to the parts of the process they’re most familiar and comfortable with. If they know grants, they tend to focus on that. If they know individual donor solicitation, that’s what they focus on...

Happy Summer! It feels like just last night that I was counting down the seconds until the start of 2017. But here we are, in (what feels like) a blink of an eye later. I’m not complaining, though. It’s the beginning of my favorite time of the year—when I spend my weekends making sand angels, frolicking under the hot summer rays...

A recent case in the Third Circuit expands the scope of potential age discrimination claims where younger workers replace older workers, even when the replacement workers are over 40 years of age. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act prohibits age discrimination against people who are 40 years of age or older...

While meeting with Turnkey’s clients in New York City this week, a recurring question came up: What is the state of fundraising walks? Is the walk dying off? Will DIY someday edge out the tried and true mainstay that has raised millions—sometimes billions—of dollars for so many nonprofits?...

Nonprofit organizations have always had a significant effect on politics and culture in the U.S. Their effect on legislation and culture is vital to our democracy. These organizations allow mobilization of passionate citizens for an issue they feel is important, regardless of establishment politics...