Fundraiser Education

For those of us in the fundraising profession, there’s nothing quite like the elation of closing a significant gift. You’ve worked hard, and then you feel the reward. I’ve been there. I’m sure you have as well. I wonder how many of us stop and think about what the donor may be feeling?...

Without a doubt, the best thing about working with nonprofits is the feeling of being involved in their missions—even if the view is from the backseat, rather than riding up front. Each nonprofit client that Turnkey works with has a worthy mission. But every now and then, a nonprofit comes onto our radar that really resonates with us personally...

Online giving has added new and unique challenges to maintaining ethical practices, so it may be time to refresh your approach. As technology develops, so do many issues around privacy, communication and safety. How can we help protect donors’ rights in the online world?...

The current environment can be challenging for nonprofits. As resources are stretched thin, the need for services is continuing to increase. The University of San Francisco took a look at the current and future state of nonprofit philanthropy in the following infographic...

Jeff and I have talked quite a bit about “taking the donor to the scene,” the phrase that describes using words and pictures to help the donor understand, feel and “see” the need. The same thing is true on the backside of giving—the stewardship side. If you can show the donor what his or her giving has done, through a picture and a story, it can have a tremendous impact...

Is the nonprofit sector for you? If you have any doubts, do some soul-searching and due diligence. At the end of the day, I care passionately to help others, and I am purpose-driven. It is about making a difference...

A charity created by the New York Yankees to help poor neighborhoods has sent most of its money to wealthier areas, the New York Times reports. The charity, New Yankee Stadium Community Benefits Fund, was created for areas of the South Bronx affected by the team’s construction in 2006 of a new stadium, which took…

Independence Day was a welcome celebration of the founding of our country. It provided an opportunity for us to remember what we have in common, and it seemed, in most cases, a welcome respite from what can seem like a constant partisan bickering...

Often, when the topic of sustainability arises, the focus is on money. But after several decades working in the nonprofit sector, I’ve become convinced sustainability is about so much more than money. I have developed 20 key strategies any organization can use to build long-term sustainability...

To be the best professional you can be, always strive to improve your memory and acquire new learning concepts. I have found that letter association helps me create lists around concepts. Whatever letter you use, letter association should help you in your quest to cluster concepts...