Human Rights Campaign

Announcing the 2014 FundRaising Success Fundraising Professionals of the Year Awards winners.

In October, FundRaising Success held its fourth annual Virtual Conference & Expo, a daylong, online gathering that allowed fundraisers to listen to and interact with some of the industry’s most respected and innovative fundraisers. Our closing session was a panel discussion focusing on things nonprofits need to think about and do to grow and thrive in 2014 and beyond.

I am a proud nonprofit fundraiser. There, I said it. I for one am glad I stumbled upon this profession. Come out and be proud with me.

Fundraising Success is 10 years old! Here, fundraising pros recall the state of fundraising in 2003, and talk about what's changed and what they hope to see happen in the next 10 years.

On Monday, Dane Grams, director of direct response and monthly giving at the Human Rights Campaign, led a Direct Marketing Fundraisers Association Brown Bag Luncheon on year-end appeals at HRC headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Blackbaud announced the winners of its annual Nonprofit Impact Awards. The awards honor organizations that use technology to make a positive impact on their missions, constituents and society. Seven organizations were recognized as part of this year's awards: Heifer International, the Tenement Museum, Central Park Conservancy, ANERA, St. Joseph's Indian School, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Human Rights Campaign.

What kind of direct-marketing trends made their mark on the MAXIs in the fundraising and nonprofit space this year?

Can lightning strike twice? The Human Rights Campaign's Go Red for Marriage Equality campaign impacted millions of Facebook profile pictures in what seemed like the blink of an eye. And now the organization is gearing up to do it again.

Why keep learning? Because things are changing, and we need to change along with them. There are great opportunities to learn, no matter what your learning style is.

Three themes seemed to emerge at the Engage Conference among all the presentations — retention, risk and reward, or the three R's.