Ann Green's Nonprofit

JULY 30, 2024

Donor motivations are the “why” that drives their support of your nonprofit. Learn how to uncover those motivations and inspire more support in this guide. By Ryan Carpenter For the last several years, nonprofits have struggled to make ends meet due to falling revenue, rising inflation, and an increase in community needs. Charitable giving saw a 2.1% decrease in 2023 after inflation, showing how challenging it is for donors and nonprofits to keep up with inflation rates.

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Ethics Donation Demographics CRM 284

Pamela Grow

JULY 10, 2024

The latest GivingUSA report on charitable giving in the United States is out. What do smart fundraisers, particularly those heading up “one-person” development shops, need to know? Charitable giving in the U.S. declined by 2.1% in 2023 after adjusting for inflation. Nonprofits have been concerned about the decreasing number of American donors for years, and the 2023 report reinforces these worries.

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Letter Of Inquiry Nonprofit Grants Grant 278

Lightning Fast Grant Writing

JULY 21, 2024

Now the presidential election is heating up, I find myself interested in the little tricks used by political consultants to influence voters. As a grant writer, I have applied a lot of their ideas to benefit the clients we serve at Drew & Associates. Some of the political consultants’ best ideas are the result of eye-tracking experiments. The question is how can we apply these ideas to improving a proposal cover letter?

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Letter Of Inquiry Grants Grant Grant Writing 264

Clairification

JULY 18, 2024

While you no doubt want more donors of all sizes, you especially want loyal donors who make above average size gifts. Because that’s where you’ll get the greatest return on your investment. Today, let’s talk about major donors. Why? They account for the lion’s share of all contributed income. Studies show over 88% of all funds raised come from just 12% of donors.

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Nonprofit Budget Fundraising Goals 265

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This prompt guide for ChatGPT contains 20+ tested ChatGPT prompts, along with tips on how to use this tool the best way. Nonprofits can engage with ChatGPT to brainstorm ideas, refine project plans, and craft compelling narratives for grant proposals.

ChatGPT

Hands-On Fundraising

JULY 9, 2024

Playing cute tricks with donors isn’t the win you think it is I’ve been stewing about a certain kind of gift solicitation. I’ve hesitated to write about it. But I get more annoyed the more I think about the damage these things can do. Want some examples? This is an email I got. (Good organization; […] The post Don’t invoice me when you want a gift appeared first on Hands-On Fundraising.

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Fundraising IT 260

Ann Green's Nonprofit

JULY 9, 2024

Over the years I’ve realized the importance of keeping things simple. We have so many ways to fill our time (many of them involving screens), but I often find pleasure in simple things such as taking a walk, reading, and doing yoga. Keeping it simple doesn’t have to mean a bare-bones existence. There’s a Swedish term called lagom meaning everything in moderation or not too much, not too little.

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Calendar Nonprofit Electronics Donation 225

Pamela Grow

JULY 31, 2024

Have you ever heard of something called the ‘honeymoon phase?’ In marketing, the term ‘honeymoon phase’ refers to the period (usually one to two weeks) following a customer’s purchase. They’re in love with the product or service. And the savvy business builds on that relationship. Right from the start. You’ve probably seen honeymoon phase influence used a lot.

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Fundraising Donation Funding IT 162

GrantNews

JULY 24, 2024

GrantWatch has small business grants for entrepreneurs! As the summer months stretch out before us, it might seem like a perfect time to step back and slow down. These long, lazy summer days are enchanting but there is work to do! Our economy is finally just beginning to bounce back from its frozen state over the last few years. Unfortunately, sky-high inflation, rising interest rates, and systematic barriers are still holding many business owners back.

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Grants Grant Demographics Funding 138

Clairification

JULY 15, 2024

The world reacted with shock and outrage. There was a pervasive feeling of “how could this happen here?” People screamed… cried… prayed. This was five years ago. Last spring. When a fire wreaked devastating damage to something that, for many, represented the soul of a nation. And more. Notre Dame Cathedral is iconic and symbolic. It’s much more than a cathedral and historic building.

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Government Media Fundraising IT 258

Hands-On Fundraising

JULY 23, 2024

There is no faster way into our brains than an image. As Peter Temple explains in this post, “We don’t see words as a series of letters. We see them as pictures.” He goes on to say that our brains read words as a series of images. We’re able to quickly (milliseconds) put them together when […] The post How do you connect with donors? Show more. appeared first on Hands-On Fundraising.

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Fundraising 244

Wild Apricot

JULY 31, 2024

Gathering member feedback and taking action on the results is a foolproof way to increase member retention. This guide will show you exactly how to go about collecting feedback from your members.

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Ann Green's Nonprofit

JULY 23, 2024

Are you having trouble with your donor engagement? If you answered yes, it may be because your communication is well, just meh. The remedy I like to recommend is the 5 C’s of good nonprofit communication. Keep these in mind when you’re writing a fundraising appeal, thank you letter, update, or any type of donor communication. Is it Clear? What is your intention?

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Electronics Nonprofit Donation Fundraising 176

The Chronicle of Philanthropy

JULY 11, 2024

The Knight Foundation just pledged $7 million to fight election misinformation in swing states. But recipients of grants to bolster accurate political information say their work is being thwarted by social media platforms, A.I., and escalating partisanship. By Alex Daniels AFP via Getty Images The Knight Foundation just pledged $7 million to fight election misinformation in swing states.

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Media Grants Grant 138

Millionaire Grant Lady

JULY 30, 2024

Everyone has been affected by the last several years of rising inflation, from everyday workers to large charitable organizations. Inflation is also affecting grant trends. No matter what you may have heard, people are still giving! However, as is the case every year, the methods and avenues of giving are always evolving and changing, and if you’re not up-to-date on the latest happenings in the charitable sector, it can be easy to get left behind.

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Funding Grants Grant Consultant 130

Clairification

JULY 11, 2024

In the 1967 movie “The Graduate,” some of you may remember the scene where Mr. McGuire takes Dustin Hoffman’s character, Benjamin, off to the side and says “Plastics … there’s a great future in plastics.” Little did we know… While that turned out poorly for the planet, there’s a similar word that could be the future for nonprofits. And the sage who’s offering it up is none other than the inimitable Seth Godin.

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IT Nonprofit Template 189

Hands-On Fundraising

JULY 2, 2024

I’m convinced we’re made of stories And if that sounds a little goofy, then I’m guilty. But I’m sticking to it. The stories we tell ourselves about our lives and loves. The stories we hear from other people that shed light on who they are. And the stories that we read… whether in a great […] The post How to unearth the stories you need appeared first on Hands-On Fundraising.

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Fundraising IT 233

Wild Apricot

JULY 25, 2024

Donor relationships are at the heart of every nonprofit. Take our quiz to evaluate your organization’s relationships and learn how to make them stronger.

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Nonprofit Fundraising 153

Ann Green's Nonprofit

JULY 16, 2024

It’s summer! I hope you’ll get a chance to take a vacation or just some time off. It may be quieter at your nonprofit, but you don’t want to be too quiet and ignore your donors. Summer is a great time to do some relationship building. You should communicate with your donors at least once a month and that includes the summer months. Don’t make the mistake of taking a vacation from your donor communication.

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Policy Policies Electronics Budget 172

The Chronicle of Philanthropy

JULY 23, 2024

Walker redirected the foundation to focus entirely on inequality and engineered ambitious collaborations on issues like Detroit's bankruptcy. He will retire in 2025. By Alex Daniels Nate Langston Palmer, The New York Times, Redux Darren Walker, the president of the Ford Foundation, broke the mold of big philanthropy leaders by virtue of his identity as a gay Black man and ambitious grant making.

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Engineering Grants Grant 137

Pamela Grow

JULY 29, 2024

Storytelling plays an integral role in fundraising success. But have you considered implementing storytelling into all aspects of your fundraising event? Join Carly Euler, Marketing Manager at MemoryFox , as she shares all the ways you can embrace nonprofit storytelling before, during, and after your event. Fundraising event season is upon us, and it’s likely that your organization is considering sharing an impact story during your event to help drive donations.

Software 130

Software Fundraising Management Donation 130

Clairification

JULY 8, 2024

Today I’m writing about something that’s not fundraising or nonprofit marketing strategy per se. It’s more about how to have hope – and take action – during times that may feel hopeless. For most of us, we’ve perhaps never been in more perilous times during our lifetimes. For a host of reasons. And it’s not just in the United States. The world has been veering towards more authoritarian, less egalitarian, rule for a while now.

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Fundraising IT Nonprofit Management 189

Hands-On Fundraising

JULY 30, 2024

Great development directors are precious. It seems there is a constant demand for development directors. Turnover is a tremendous problem. People wonder why they can’t find a great one. In their study, Underdeveloped, CompassPoint and the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund found “high levels of turnover and lengthy vacancies in development director positions throughout the sector” […] The post This is why you can’t find a great development director appeared first on H

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Funding Fundraising IT 229

Wild Apricot

JULY 26, 2024

Here are 10 membership drive examples that attract new members. Plus advice on how to set your goals, build a strategy and tips for easy reg.

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Goals 143

Ann Green's Nonprofit

JULY 2, 2024

Believe it or not, we’re halfway through 2024. The midpoint of the year is always a good time to see if you’re meeting your fundraising and communications goals. For this post, I’m assuming your fiscal year is the same as the calendar year. If you’re on a different fiscal cycle, you can make the appropriate time adjustments. Your fundraising revenue may be down.

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Nonprofit Metrics Calendar Goals 168

The Chronicle of Philanthropy

JULY 10, 2024

Embracing the word “solidarity” alongside “justice” and “equity” will help philanthropy rethink what it means to do good. By Leah Hunt-Hendrix George Walker IV/AP Supporting labor unions should be part of any philanthropy-in-solidarity strategy. Embracing the word “solidarity” alongside “justice” and “equity” will help philanthropy rethink what it means to do good.

IT 136

IT 136

Pamela Grow

JULY 24, 2024

Auctions are among the most engaging and lucrative fundraising events your nonprofit could host. They appeal to a wide range of supporter interests and foster a fun atmosphere of friendly competition. Plus, they have the potential to raise thousands of dollars for your mission through winning bids on items, entry fees, and additional donations made during the event.

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Procurement Nonprofit Pass-Through Indirect 130

Clairification

JULY 31, 2024

“Give me one moment in time. When I’m more than I thought could be. When all of my dreams are a heartbeat away. And the answers are all up to me.” Ah, the lyrics remembered from a Whitney Houston song sung at the 1988 Olympics Opening Ceremonies. The Olympic torch. The parade of nations. The stories, stories and stories. Chills run down my spine.

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Nonprofit IT 152

Hands-On Fundraising

JULY 16, 2024

First, why does donor retention matter? Ah, donor retention. We talk about it often. But why does it matter? Acquiring new donors is hard and often expensive. (You still need to do it.) So not doing all you can to keep the donors you have is like tossing money out the window. Prioritize retention! Also… […] The post Your donor retention how-to appeared first on Hands-On Fundraising.

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Fundraising IT 227

Wild Apricot

JULY 5, 2024

New member orientation doesn’t have to be boring. With these orientation tips and activities, your organization can welcome new members smoothly and easily, inspiring member engagement and retaining them longer.

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Retainer 141

Millionaire Grant Lady

JULY 24, 2024

We have been in the grant writing business for a long time, and one important shift we have seen over the last several years has been that funders are requiring more data from more nonprofits. Common questions in a grant proposal ask about the demographics of the people you serve, how many people you serve, or the impact of your programs. All of these questions indicate a need for data.

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Grant Writing Grants Grant Demographics 130

The Chronicle of Philanthropy

JULY 18, 2024

While making medical school free is a worthy endeavor, to truly transform health care, Bloomberg needs to think bigger. By Amy Schiller Courtesy of Johns Hopkins University Michael Bloomberg’s $1 billion gift to Johns Hopkins Medical School guarantees the money goes where it’s needed most, but it also ensures education remains a commodity. Students are still consumers paying for a service.

Education 135

Education IT 135

Pamela Grow

JULY 24, 2024

Imagine this: Your nonprofit is in the midst of several key projects and is planning to launch a new community program, all of which will greatly benefit your mission. When you combine the associated expenses with the costs of operating your organization day-to-day, you determine that you’ll need to add new fundraisers to your calendar to fund all of these initiatives.

Fundraising 130

Fundraising Retail Nonprofit Ethics 130

Clairification

JULY 4, 2024

Feeling a bit overloaded? It’s the new plague. And a highly contagious epidemic, from which no one is immune. Are you showing any symptoms? I feel like: I’m working all the time, but not getting that much accomplished. I’m working on 10 projects at once, but none get finished. My ‘to-do’ list never gets completed. I’m in meetings all day and don’t have time to work.

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Conference Management 152