Incentives

Cultivation Builds Confidence and Yields Results
May 31, 2017 at 10:40 am

There is no substitute for effective and focused cultivation. It brings new donors into the fold, and it strengthens the bonds with existing donors. It also helps nurture staff and volunteers—coaching and training them for a campaign...

In Some Rural Counties, Hunger Is Rising, But Food Donations Aren't
May 26, 2017 at 10:33 am

One in eight Americans—42 million people—still struggles to get enough to eat. And while that number has been going down recently, hunger appears to be getting worse in some economically distressed areas, especially in rural communities. Food banks that serve these areas are also feeling the squeeze, as surplus food supplies dwindle, but the lines…

Rise of the Donor-Advised Fund: A Fast-Growing Vehicle to Charitable Giving
May 25, 2017 at 9:41 am

In our sector, we are constantly faced with obstacles of how we can increase charitable giving; but more particularly, how can we get our donors to continue to give over the years. A donor-advised fund is an account sponsored by a nonprofit organization that enables donors to give to charities and receive tax benefits—essentially a charitable savings account…

3 Things to Consider When Fundraising Is No Longer ‘Fun’
May 25, 2017 at 9:25 am

Have you had a day when you just felt like there had to be a better career to pursue than fundraising? I know I have. Fortunately, those days have been far outnumbered by those days when I feel honored to do the work I do...

Don’t Shortchange Your Philanthropic Potential
May 24, 2017 at 7:43 am

Build a culture of philanthropy. Challenge your board and staff to embrace a donor-focused, relational approach. Invest in your board and staff and build a development program that is built to last—through leadership transitions and that grows stronger and stronger with the success and capacity-building of each campaign...

It’s Time to Let Those Donors Go
May 22, 2017 at 9:43 am

Letting go… It’s not always easy, is it? Anyone who has had to take their child to college or end a relationship knows saying goodbye is never easy. It’s also not easy for you as a major gift officer (MGO) when a donor, who you have been stewarding and cultivating over time, no longer meets the criteria as a major donor...

Key to the Vault: Getting the Rich to Donate
May 16, 2017 at 10:08 pm

Last week the New York Times published an article titled, “How to Get the Wealthy to Donate.” The piece began with the statement, “Wealthy people are selfish jerks. So are their children.” The article chronicled research that looked at the differences in charitable giving based on net worth. The conclusion of the research studies was clear, “Across a wide range of ages, wealthy adults tended to share less of what they had with others...

Friendship-Building Secrets to Build Donor Loyalty
May 16, 2017 at 11:21 am

Ever notice how sometimes when we put on our work hats we cease to be human? How we somehow morph into little robotic “professionals” and become enamored of jargon? “Lybnts.” “Sybnts.” “Recaptures.” Not that those things aren’t important. You need goals and objectives...

Charitable Giving Expected to Increase in 2018
May 9, 2017 at 10:17 am

Ask your Magic 8-Ball about the state of charitable giving in the next few years, and there’s a good chance it’ll tell you “outlook good.” As long as it’s getting its info from Marts & Lundy and the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University, that is...