Fundraiser Education

Myth or Reality: Exposing the Flaws in Fundraising
March 28, 2017 at 8:35 am

In Roger Craver’s recent blog post, he challenged the nonprofit industry to “rev up the discussion” around what he calls the clichéd dictum of “mail more, raise more.” He goes so far as to suggest that most direct response fundraisers are buying into the myth that the only way to effectively increase revenue is to mail more...

Legal Potpourri: 6 Questions (and Answers) for Your Nonprofit
March 28, 2017 at 8:29 am

We take a moment to explore the many legal questions nonprofit organizations face on a daily basis. Just as nonprofits themselves are diverse and cover many topics, so too are the legal issues they face—employment law, tax questions and queries straight out of Business Law 101...

$8M Gift to GW University Will Expand Clark Engineering Scholars Program
March 27, 2017 at 8:31 am

The Clark Charitable Foundation has made an $8 million gift to the George Washington University to expand an engineering scholars program that rewards SEAS students with financial assistance, professional development and leadership and networking opportunities. The Clark Engineering Scholars Program began in 2011 with an $8 million gift from the late A. James Clark, a…

How Are You Treating Your ‘C’ List Donors?
March 27, 2017 at 8:31 am

I’ve been thinking a lot about the C-level donors on your portfolio lately. Why? Well, I was reviewing a mid-level program the other day and tracking all the donors that have moved from mid-level to major-gift portfolios… It was quite impressive...

Treat Your Monthly Donor Like Your Best Friend (Until Death Do You Part)
March 27, 2017 at 8:31 am

If you’re an organization that has had monthly donors for a while, you’ll know that some of your monthly donors can and will stay with you for decades! Of course that in part depends on their age when joining. Typically, I’m seeing that those donors continue to give monthly for 5 years to 7 years...

4 Ways Storytelling Persuades Donors
March 27, 2017 at 8:31 am

Throughout the last few years, the entire world has been buzzing about the power of story. On the surface, all this conversation makes it seem like we've collectively forgotten the millennia of storytelling sprawled out before us in museums, history books, novels and campfires...

Accidental Culture Change: The Awesome Power of Monthly Giving
March 27, 2017 at 8:30 am

Two decades ago, Human Rights Campaign introduced “Partners,” our new monthly giving program. But we did so much more than that—in large part, unknowingly. We didn’t just create a program. We embarked on a journey to create an organizational culture. A culture of sustained giving...

Why Good Nonprofit Fundraisers Are Hard to Keep: Part 2
March 24, 2017 at 8:18 am

While I do believe too many fundraisers are underpaid relative to their skill sets and performance, I have a hunch it’s not the real chief culprit for fundraiser dissatisfaction. What is?...

Does the Charitable Tax Deduction Motivate You to Donate?
March 24, 2017 at 8:18 am

I spend a great deal of time thinking about potential donors. I believe research is one of the keys to success in fundraising. My excitement comes when I engage with people and ask for a gift. The greatest percentage of a fundraising person’s time, unfortunately, is not exciting...

Why the High Employee-Turnover Rate?
March 24, 2017 at 8:17 am

It’s no secret that nonprofits have an alarmingly high employee-turnover rate. Why are there new faces around the office so regularly? Many have brushed it off as “burnout,” but what does that really include? Tech Impact took a closer look at the causes of nonprofit turnover in this infographic...