Hands-On Fundraising

JANUARY 16, 2024

Empathy – the feeling that you understand and share another person’s experiences and emotions: the ability to share someone else’s feelings While sympathy is compassion for someone else’s situation, empathy is feeling their pain. Sympathy keeps its distance. Empathy is a powerful connection to someone else. We’ve evolved to feel empathy because it’s useful in understanding […] The post Empathy: the key to better fundraising appeared first on Hands-On Fundraisi

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Lightning Fast Grant Writing

JANUARY 10, 2024

The grant innovator form is a simple document I use to organize an agency as it seeks grants. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with this surprisingly valuable document by checking out the link at the end of this article. By asking your colleagues to fill it out, you will tactfully motivate them to help you get grant funding. The form also subtly calls upon you and your associates to think through why a program is needed by your clients in the first place.

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Clairification

NOVEMBER 25, 2024

Studies show one-fourth of all charitable giving happens in December. For some organizations (maybe yours?), it’s as much as one-third. Year-end fundraising is not chopped chicken liver! While you absolutely should be using multiple fundraising channels to get best results, right now whatever you’ve got planned for offline is pretty much cooked.

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Proposal Readiness Fundraising IT 282

Pamela Grow

SEPTEMBER 25, 2024

Recent nonprofit trends show that giving is on the decline, decreasing by 2.1% between 2022 and 2023. To keep donors around and retain their support, organizations have to grab supporters’ attention and make their communications stand out from the thousands of messages their audience receives each day. The best way to accomplish this feat is through segmentation: the process of grouping your supporters based on their similarities and sending them targeted messages they’re more likely to respond

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Demographics Metrics Goals Media 278

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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

MAY 21, 2024

You’ve been working hard on that last campaign. And now, you have new gifts! After the celebration, you begin to wonder. How can you write a thank you that works? Where do you start? Here’s my quick thank you letter how-to First, a confession: I used to write rote, boring, perfunctory thank you letters. And […] The post How to write a thank you letter when you’re feeling stuck appeared first on Hands-On Fundraising.

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Fundraising 281

Tony Martignetti

NOVEMBER 10, 2024

Pat Duffy: Accepting Cryptocurrency Gifts Code. Blockchain. Proofs. Wallets. Exchanges. Coins. If foreign words like these keep you from accepting a gift that tens of millions of Gen Z and Millennials invest in and gift, Pat Duffy will set your mind at ease. He defines the terms in plain language and explains why crypto giving belongs … Continue reading Nonprofit Radio for November 11, 2024: Accepting Cryptocurrency Gifts → Pat Duffy: Accepting Cryptocurrency Gifts Code.

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Millionaire Grant Lady

DECEMBER 2, 2024

Current and potential MGL clients often ask me, “ If we are selected, how long will it take to get the grant money? ” I can empathize with their impatience and frustration, especially after completing such a long application preparation process. They have important work to do in the world, and their programs need funds to operate successfully, so what’s the hold up?

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Grants Grant IT Federal Grants 130

GrantNews

NOVEMBER 25, 2024

GrantWatch is proud to bring you 10 November small business grants for entrepreneurs! As autumn leaves blanket the ground and November ushers in the holiday season, it might feel tempting to slow down and savor the cozy warmth of the holiday season. But now is the perfect time to focus on growing your business! While the economy is gradually recovering from the challenges of recent years, high inflation, rising interest rates, and systemic barriers still pose obstacles for entrepreneurs.

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Candid

DECEMBER 30, 2024

In May 2024, Melinda French Gates emailed 12 people including meoffering each $20 million to spend on gender equality initiatives. All of us were surprised, but I doubt any were as surprised as I wasbecause I work on behalf of boys and men. I felt this was an important moment for philanthropy. While French Gates continues to focus most of her giving on women and girls, she also recognizes the need to help boys and men.

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Pass-Through Metrics Education Goals 134

The Chronicle of Philanthropy

NOVEMBER 19, 2024

The former president discusses the Clinton Global Initiative, his efforts to raise money after disasters like Hurricane Katrina, and the need for continued aid to Haiti. By Glenn Gamboa, Associated Press AP Photo/Andres Kudacki, File Former president Bill Clinton’s new book, “Citizen,” details his philanthropic work since leaving the White House. The former president discusses the Clinton Global Initiative, his efforts to raise money after disasters like Hurricane Katrina, and the need for conti

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Blackbaud

NOVEMBER 27, 2024

Quick Definition Online fundraising is the process of raising donations for a cause, project, or organization through digital platforms such as websites, social media apps, and email campaigns. Online fundraising has become a popular option for organizations since it allows access to a wider donor base that can support their mission regardless of location.

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Fundraising Nonprofit Media Donation 98

The NonProfit Times

OCTOBER 22, 2024

GoFundMe and Meta announced new sharing features intended to drive more donations to nonprofits. Through the collaboration, donors and nonprofits might be able to more easily share the causes they care about with their social networks. Nonprofits using GoFundMe’s software company, Classy, will have access to the enhanced sharing experience on Instagram.

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Metrics Donation Software Fundraising 103

Clairification

NOVEMBER 4, 2024

But it’s not easy for you. It’s hard work. Because, inside the mind of a potential donor, many things are working against you. I don’t know enough about you. I can’t make a real difference. I don’t think of myself as a philanthropist. I don’t know how to evaluate one charity against another. I don’t know how much to give. I don’t have time for this.

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Publishing Fundraising Media IT 271

Pamela Grow

DECEMBER 11, 2024

Your donors arent just names in your nonprofits CRM. Theyre partners in your mission and vital threads in the fabric of your community. The messages you send are more than fundraising appeals ; theyre opportunities to nurture relationships, share your story, and inspire action. In an age dominated by digital outreach, direct mail fundraising remains a powerful tool for nonprofits to connect with donors.

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Fundraising Nonprofit CRM Donation 147

Hands-On Fundraising

OCTOBER 22, 2024

Why is it so hard to say thank you? We spend a lot of time thinking about how to raise more money. We labor over the appeal: the language, the images, the right ask. And then, too often, we treat the thank you as an afterthought. It’s not that hard to write a good, emotional […] The post Why is it so damned hard to say thank you? appeared first on Hands-On Fundraising.

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IT Fundraising 252

Ann Green's Nonprofit

DECEMBER 4, 2024

Year-end fundraising is in full swing. I hope your campaign is going well so far. Perhaps you also participated in Giving Tuesday. The latter often brings in new donors, which you never want to take for granted. These donors saw a need and found a connection to your cause. Or maybe they were drawn into whatever Giving Tuesday promotion you initiated, but I like to think they wanted to help you make a difference.

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Donation Electronics CRM Budget 211

Tony Martignetti

NOVEMBER 18, 2024

Donald Summers: Scaling Altruism That’s Donald Summers’ new book, where he introduces the seven phases of nonprofit growth derived from his research and practice. He walks us through assess, align, plan, test, fund, execute, and lead, so your nonprofit scales to meet the demands of your mission and vision. He’s the CEO of Altruist Partners. … Continue reading Nonprofit Radio for November 11, 2024: Scaling Altruism → Donald Summers: Scaling Altruism That’s Donald Summers’ new book, wh

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Get Fully Funded

DECEMBER 29, 2024

Before we officially wrap up the year, lets dive into the top articles of the year on the Get Fully Funded blog. These fundraising gems have been a hit with our readers, and Ive gathered them all in one place just for you. Our goal is to equip you with practical fundraising tools and ideas you can implement right away. So, we pack as much goodness as we can into our fundraising articles, bulleting out information so its easy to follow and easy to use.

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GrantNews

DECEMBER 11, 2024

What are your chances of winning a grant? On average, sources estimate that 1 in 7 applications are approved for funding. So how can you increase your chances of winning a grant? GrantWatch is here to help! The database offers 9 helpful pointers on crafting strong applications, from selecting the right opportunities to showcasing your project’s impact. 9 Tips to Increase Your Chances of Winning a Grant 1) Target Your Funders There are many different types of funding sources, but which fund

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Candid

DECEMBER 16, 2024

The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season saw 18 tropical events , including 11 hurricanes. In the United States, Helene and Milton stand out among the most significant, with damages in the billions. It will take the affected communities years to recover. Hurricane Milton: Implications of repeated storms Milton was the third storm to hit Florida in three months and the second to hit in two weeks.

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Insurance Insurance Manufacturing Government 119

The Chronicle of Philanthropy

NOVEMBER 18, 2024

This is the second donation the billionaire novelist has given Local Initiatives Support Corporation, following her initial $40 million gift in 2020. By Maria Di Mento Rupert Whiteley Amos House, a Rhode Island nonprofit supported by the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, offers a culinary arts education program as part of its mission to narrow racial health, wealth and opportunity gaps.

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Education Donation IT Nonprofit 127

Blackbaud

DECEMBER 12, 2024

It was a client kickoff call like so many others. After we made introductions, I asked about their donor CRM, jotting notes as they shared their hopes, frustrations, and data woes. As their list of frustrations grew and their unfulfilled hopes piled up, they asked me if I thought it was time to change to another donor CRM. My answer began with one word: Maybe.

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CRM IT Budget Training 104

CauseVox

DECEMBER 5, 2024

There’s a chill in the air and everyone’s enjoying their pumpkin spice lattes and hot cocoa. Soon, we’ll spend our days purchasing holiday gifts for loved ones, baking, and gearing up for visits from family and friends. Naturally, our personal to-do lists grow increasingly long as year-end nears. As fundraisers, you’re also in charge of putting together end-of-year giving campaigns for your nonprofit.

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Goals Fundraising Donation Media 100

Clairification

DECEMBER 9, 2024

The more publicly people commit, the more resistant they are to changing their minds This relates to one of Robert Cialdinis principles of influence and persuasion : commitment and consistency. The main point is this: Once we make a decision, and strongly attach ourselves to an idea by agreeing orally or in writing, its more likely well stick with that decision than change our minds.

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The Almoner

OCTOBER 28, 2024

This post begins a new series of articles called “Recipes for Success.” Each “recipe” will be a successful fundraising model used by a Knights of Columbus council in a parish setting. This post begins a new series of articles called “Recipes for Success.” Each “recipe” will be a successful fundraising model used by a Knights of Columbus council in a parish setting.

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Contract Contracts Fundraising IT 105

Hands-On Fundraising

OCTOBER 15, 2024

The focus is different in fundraising This is a big difference that can cause friction in your organization. Fundraising communication is about the donor and the beneficiary. Your organization fades into the background. You’re a means to a meaningful end. That’s why “branding” is less important in fundraising. Yes, you need to build trust in […] The post Why fundraising communication is different appeared first on Hands-On Fundraising.

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Fundraising 238

Ann Green's Nonprofit

OCTOBER 30, 2024

Year-end fundraising coincides with the gratitude season, which includes Thanksgiving in the U.S. and the December holidays. This is appropriate since thanking your donors is part of the fundraising equation, even though many nonprofits don’t always realize this. Now is a great opportunity to show some gratitude to your donors. You could hold a thankathon , especially if you haven’t launched your appeal yet.

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The NonProfit Times

DECEMBER 2, 2024

By Richard H. Levey A class action complaint against three top American Red Cross leaders, the boards of directors of both the American Red Cross and the International Red Cross and unnamed associated individuals accuses the defendants of being “poverty pimps” who allegedly diverted more than $500 million in Haitian relief funds for “personal gain and administrative overhead.

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Pamela Grow

NOVEMBER 27, 2024

Nothing, but nothing, has the power to transform your fundraising quite like gratitude. And no one does gratitude quite like Lisa Sargent, founder of the free Donor Thank-You Clinics (named one of the world’s “top 10 gifts for fundraisers” by SOFII), and co-author of Lessons from Merchants Quay Ireland , a widely praised case history on the remarkable outcome of proper donor care, created at the invitation of the Commission on the Donor Experience.

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GrantNews

DECEMBER 9, 2024

Let’s talk about women-led businesses. Did you know there are over 13 million female-led businesses in the U.S.? That accounts for 42% of all businesses in the country! Together, they generate over $3.9 trillion in annual revenue. And the number of women-led businesses continues to grow each day! Now, let’s focus on grants for women-led businesses.

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Grants Grant Engineering Funding 120

Candid

NOVEMBER 5, 2024

Partnerships between nonprofit organizations and for-profit companies to boost workplace volunteering and community impact can create significant value for both parties. They help amplify the nonprofits’ voice, reach, and resources to advance their mission while strengthening corporate employees’ community engagement and improving their well-being and job satisfaction, according to a Deloitte survey.

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Nonprofit Training Metrics Donation 111

GiveSmart

NOVEMBER 1, 2024

The end of the calendar year is around the corner—the single biggest fundraising opportunity of the year! This guide will show you how to create a year-end fundraising campaign that will effectively reach the hearts and wallets of donors during this spike in end-of-year donations. Donors get involved with nonprofits over the holidays for four primary reasons: To be happier by helping others To feel good about themselves by making a difference To be connected to something positive To take advanta

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Donation Media Nonprofit Goals 105

Blackbaud

NOVEMBER 7, 2024

Now that the votes for the 2024 election in the U.S. have been cast, nonprofit organizations should be prepared for a new wave of donations from voters whose candidate (or candidates) did not win. Data from recent elections shows rage donors take their candidate’s loss in a presidential bid as inspiration to donate more to causes associated with the candidate’s party, while the winning team’s incoming gifts drop off.

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