AFP

The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) has awarded its highest professional certification, the Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive (ACFRE), to Ann Charles Watts, an organizational development consultant specializing in resource development serving Habitat for Humanity International, and Cathy Cessna, director of business, program and fund development at Ingleside Homes Inc.

Available only to senior-level fundraisers who have worked in the profession for 10 or more years, the ACFRE is a distinguished achievement earned by only 104 professionals since the inception of the program in 1992.

Once again for 2015, the AFP National Philanthropy Day Honors program is going viral! Instead of the written nomination form that you once filled out, we are asking you to show us. There is nothing more powerful than watching someone talk about his or her appreciation and awe of another person or organization. So, go ahead, blow us away with the stories of your favorite philanthropist and supporter from 2014.

Building a culture of philanthropy is the most important and dynamic program element fundraising professionals should do on a daily basis. As your organizational culture matures, your job becomes easier. Success of various degrees takes time, but failure in this area is not an option. Your organizational long-term philanthropic viability may depend on it!

Infogroup, provider of innovative business data and marketing solutions, announced the acquisition of Specialized Fundraising Services Inc. (SFS). Lisa Greene, SFS’s founder and a leading industry veteran, will become part of the executive team of the Infogroup Nonprofit Division. The Infogroup Nonprofit Division resides in the Infogroup Media Solutions business unit.

Founded in 2005, Specialized Fundraising Services provides highly personalized “boutique” style direct-marketing services to the nonprofit marketplace.

Trust me, word-of-mouth advertising is priceless. The recent $30 million Indianapolis Zoological Society capital campaign that exceeded goal by $4 million was "textbook" in its success and use of word-of-mouth, and in reality, it is a success for the entire profession!

The Red Cross botched key elements of its mission after Superstorm Sandy and Hurricane Isaac, leaving behind a trail of unmet needs and acrimony, according to an investigation by ProPublica and NPR. The charity’s shortcomings were detailed in confidential reports and internal emails, as well as accounts from current and former disaster-relief specialists.

What’s more, Red Cross officials at national headquarters in Washington, D.C., compounded the charity’s inability to provide relief by “diverting assets for public relations purposes,” as one internal report puts it. Distribution of relief supplies, the report said, was “politically driven.”

Recent tweets from folks you should be following.

In Find Accounting Software's 2014 Fundraising Technology Trends Study, 142 fundraisers were polled about their use of technology. Each of the fundraisers shared how successful they’ve been growing contributions. They also described their software management platforms, communication channels and payment acceptance methods.

Key findings include: Revenue growth is not assured. Fundraiser believe in technology but often lack it. Leveraging the Web matters. Diversification is key. There is an optimal technology profile a successful fundraiser.

People on the move in the nonprofit world for October 2014.

Recent tweets on fundraising (#fundraising).