Fundraising

Center of Gravity: Crowdfunding vs. Peer-to-Peer Fundraising
March 31, 2017 at 2:18 pm

We didn’t call it “peer-to-peer fundraising” at first. Back in the late ’90s and early ’00s, some of us were excited by the prospect of bringing traditional fundraising activities online. One of the big areas of focus was the pledge-based special event. Historically, these campaigns occurred offline using just pens, paper pledge-forms, cash and checks.…

Managing Volunteers: Making the Most of Their Experience—And Yours
March 31, 2017 at 8:19 am

In 2014, more than a quarter of Americans (25.3 percent) volunteered some amount of time at a nonprofit organization. That’s 62 million volunteers—a big-time boost for nonprofits looking to increase organizational efficiency and reduce personnel costs...

African Wildlife Foundation’s Mail Taps Into Emotion
March 30, 2017 at 9:31 pm

In 2014, more than a quarter of Americans (25.3 percent) volunteered some amount of time at a nonprofit organization. That’s 62 million volunteers—a big-time boost for nonprofits looking to increase organizational efficiency and reduce personnel costs. Volunteers are likely to make donations during or after their time at your organization. And they’re likely to encourage […]

Eastern Bank Foundation to Donate $1M to Nonprofits That Help Immigrants
March 29, 2017 at 8:42 am

The Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation has begun accepting applications for grants that support immigrants as part of its annual "Targeted Grants" program. The foundation plans to award over $1.5 million in grants to local nonprofits that address a variety of issues facing immigrants, including assistance for people seeking asylum, separated families, Educational Services Overseas Limited,…

George Lucas Family Foundation Gives USC Film School $10 Million Endowment
March 28, 2017 at 8:42 am

The George Lucas Family Foundation has granted the USC School of Cinematic Arts with a second endowment of $10 million to provide financial support to African-American and Hispanic students, raising the foundation’s student diversity support effort to $20 million. The foundation was established at the school in the fall 2016 semester with an initial $10…

5 Keys to Discovering Social Media Fundraising Opportunities
March 28, 2017 at 8:42 am

When was the last time you purchased something you didn’t really need because it jumped in front of you? Perhaps because you saw it on a sidewalk stand while walking down the street. Or at the check-out line. Or it popped up as an ad or sidebar on your computer...

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...

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...

Mattel Commits $50M to UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital
March 24, 2017 at 8:18 am

Mattel, Inc. announced a $50 million gift to UCLA Health that will fund an expansion of the UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital and help establish a world-class pediatric care center and research hub focused on improving children’s health. A committed partner for more than 20 years, Mattel has provided more than $80 million to UCLA in…