Clairification

MAY 2, 2024

It’s not always easy to find all the good stuff across the web. That’s why I do the work for you! Thanks again to my Clairity Click-it sponsor, Bloomerang , for making it possible for me to spend the time hunting and gathering. You’ll find this is another robust issue. Find a topic that interests you, and… click away! Think about it.

IT 209

IT Template Nonprofit Readiness 209

Clairification

APRIL 4, 2024

Did you know this year the U.S. dropped out of the top 20 happiest countries for the first time ever , dropping from #15 to #23 ? Point is: the good life isn’t about “happiness.” It’s about meaning. Meaning is more resilient. More significant. More enduring. It emerges when we live out our most noble motivations. It’s a never ending game.

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IT Nonprofit Template 201

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?

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IT Fundraising 241

Clairification

FEBRUARY 22, 2024

When the world changes, do we have a process to redefine great work? Do you have the tools you need to reach your goals? How could we create a system where great work is easier to do? — Seth Godin Think about it, okay? If you really dig into these questions, both as an individual and as a team, you may be surprised by some of the answers.

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IT Calendar Template Nonprofit 209

Clairification

MARCH 7, 2024

[Okay, I do have a bit of Seth Godin wisdom to share, but this time it’s to be found below under “Articles/Events.” So, scroll down.] As always, a big thank you to my sponsor, Bloomerang , for making it possible for me to spend the hours of time hunting, gathering and choosing the resources I believe will be most useful to you.

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IT Template Nonprofit 209

Clairification

AUGUST 22, 2024

Let’s get right to this week’s collection of free resources! If you poke around this issue of the Clairity Click-it, I’m sure you’ll find something to help you DO SOMETHING positive to change the world — at least in your little corner of it. Or something simply to gladden other people’s lives. Or something to lighten your heart.

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IT Template Nonprofit 190

Clairification

MAY 16, 2024

Exhausting! Inverting the vex “Life can be irritating. And sometimes, we can make a choice. The thing that’s vexing you: is it a situation or a problem? Problems have solutions. If we care enough, we can find a way to solve a problem, but it might cost more money, require more effort or involve more risk than we’d prefer. And if it’s a situation?

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IT Nonprofit Template Readiness 190

Clairification

AUGUST 8, 2024

As you’re planning ahead, and readying your year-end fundraising initiatives, take a little time to think about your communication delivery mediums. Not to mention your message content. Are you reaching the right audiences, and making it easy for them? Are you sharing messaging that’s relevant to your constituents, and also authentically you?

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Readiness IT Template Nonprofit 190

Clairification

JANUARY 11, 2024

Neither freedom nor responsibility are given; they’re taken. What will you do to achieve the necessary balance to keep your organization, your community, and our world in check? Seth Godin suggests it has a lot to do with the culture you/we build. The freedom loop We spend almost no time teaching toddlers about freedom.

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IT Template Nonprofit 212

Clairification

OCTOBER 17, 2024

Throwing shade or throwing light? One takes a little more effort than the other. While throwing shade might be more fun, it eventually runs out of energy. It’s designed to end conversations, not start them, to intimidate, not encourage. Turning on lights helps everyone. — Seth Godin You are on a meaning-seeking journey. Get curious!

IT 190

IT Template Nonprofit 190

Clairification

SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

I’m beginning again, as I often do, with a bit of borrowed insight: The hierarchy of insight It looks like this: data information knowledge understanding wisdom Which do we measure the most, spend the most obtaining and argue about most often? We might have it backwards. — Seth Godin Do you glorify data above understanding?

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IT Template Nonprofit 176

Clairification

OCTOBER 31, 2024

I’m beginning again, as I often do, with a bit of borrowed insight, this time from a colleague’s newsletter: If I had to sum up my advice for this week, it would be to don’t be scared. There are many reasons to feel scared. I understand that and want to acknowledge that feeling. So, start digging through the curated content from across the web.

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IT Calendar Nonprofit Template 167

Clairification

FEBRUARY 8, 2024

Valentine’s Day reminds us to come from a place of love President’s Day gives a long weekend (in the U.S.) to relax But one of my favorites, on February 17th, is little known, and perfect for the social benefit sector. It’s Random Acts of Kindness Day ! Get creative!

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IT Template Nonprofit 201

Clairification

DECEMBER 12, 2024

As we enter the season of light, and you move into full-steam-ahead year-end fundraising mode, theres something I want to remind you about your messaging. “Oh, by the way, its not about you. The biggest mistake you can make is thinking your organization is the story. People arent buying your organization. When someone asks: What do you do?

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IT Nonprofit Education Fundraising 167

Clairification

DECEMBER 26, 2024

Sharing creates connection, possibility and energy. And the magic of gratitude is that it improves everything it touches, especially the person who offered it in the first place. So, what holds us back? Fear of connection, of change, of seeing what is possible. It might feel safer to focus on scarcity. Generosity and gratitude often go together.

IT 176

IT Calendar Template Nonprofit 176

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. The time it takes to receive funds depends greatly on the type of grant you are pursuing.

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Grants Grant IT Federal Grants 130

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. See the lookbook!

CRM 100

CRM IT Budget Training 100

The Chronicle of Philanthropy

FEBRUARY 7, 2025

Grant makers need to reassure nonprofits that they have their backs during these tumultuous times. By Lisa Pilar Cowan MARIA MOTTOLA Grant makers need to reassure nonprofits that they have their backs during these tumultuous times.

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Funding IT Grants Grant 114

The Chronicle of Philanthropy

JANUARY 3, 2025

Two leaders explain why their nonprofits joined together after the pandemic and what they learned that can help other groups pull off a successful merger.

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IT Nonprofit 120

Ann Green's Nonprofit

NOVEMBER 18, 2024

Beginning in 2012, Giving Tuesday has taken place the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. This year it will be on December 3. I’m not going to tell you whether or not you should participate in Giving Tuesday. Perhaps you’re planning to participate for the first time. And, you don’t want your messages to resemble spam. This is where it often falls short.

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Donation Policy Policies Media 303

Ann Green's Nonprofit

JANUARY 6, 2025

Ideally, you should communicate with your donors at least once or twice a month throughout the year. I know that might sound impossible, but it will be much easier if you put together a communications calendar (also known as an editorial calendar). For the rest of you, here are some suggestions to help you get started.

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Calendar Media Fundraising Goals 297

Clairification

NOVEMBER 4, 2024

And when you don’t make it easy for donors to choose to support your charity, you inevitably make it easy for them to choose not to. This is where I ask you how you view your role. Are you a philanthropy facilitator or a fundraiser? And why, do you think, making this distinction might matter? And people are giving. But… guess what? Lots of it.

Publishing 271

Publishing Fundraising Media IT 271

Ann Green's Nonprofit

MARCH 28, 2024

It’s spring here in the Northern Hemisphere, although in the Boston area it doesn’t feel like it right now. A lot of people use this time of the year to do some spring cleaning. I envy the people who do that because usually I’m not one of them. I know I should do more. As much as I dislike cleaning and organizing, I’m happy once it gets done.

CRM 289

CRM Nonprofit Template Donation 289

Clairification

MARCH 14, 2024

It’s building loyalty. You simply can’t afford to keep losing 8 out of 10 new donors. Which means it’s time to reframe how you do fundraising. It can’t be primarily about going after money. It has to be about giving, and receiving, love. If you do it the right way, money will follow as a natural outgrowth. Mostly due to technology.

AI 286

AI Nonprofit Media Software 286

Clairification

OCTOBER 17, 2022

Negative self-talk can really mess you up. So say behavioral scientists, psychologists and researchers. I recently ran across an article on the CNBC Make It blog by Kathy and Ross Petras , and want to share it because it rings so true for me. And I hope for you as well. Many times, professionally and personally, we can’t make the problem go away.

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Applicant Application Fundraising IT 293

Ann Green's Nonprofit

APRIL 11, 2024

Your donors want to hear about how they’re helping you make a difference for your clients/community. Before choosing content, think carefully about whether or not your donors would be interested in it. If you’re a larger organization, you could create different newsletters for different programs or one specifically for monthly donors.

Nonprofit 296

Nonprofit Template Award IT 296

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! Specific solution you’re proposing to address the problem – with your donor’s help. Describe the problem.

Proposal 282

Proposal Readiness Fundraising IT 282

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.

Grants 299

Grants Grant Funding Applicant 299

Clairification

NOVEMBER 14, 2022

The absolute worst thing you can do the day after Giving Tuesday is nothing. As tempting as it is to let out a sigh of relief that it’s over, resist that temptation. It’s not time to relax yet. Nothing comes of nothing. And a huge part of your goal with Giving Tuesday should be to strengthen your bonds with donors. Run towards , not away.

Retainer 301

Retainer Goals Fundraising IT 301

Clairification

JUNE 19, 2023

When You Can’t Get Up Close And Personal, How Do You Build Relationships With Folks Online? Are you Linking In? If not, it’s time to take a new look at this social platform to appreciate it for the beneficial research and relationship-building strategy it can be for you.

Utilities 300

Utilities Nonprofit IT Media 300

Ann Green's Nonprofit

MARCH 7, 2024

Many organizations spend all this time and energy on acquiring donors, concentrating more on volume and don’t seem to be concerned that they’re churning through different donors year after year. Just like the flowers and plants in your garden, you need to give them care and attention. You should be keeping track of your retention rate.

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Calendar Policy Policies Donation 286

Ann Green's Nonprofit

AUGUST 13, 2024

Many organizations just thank their donors after they receive a gift and then disappear until the next fundraising appeal. Plus, when they do thank their donors, they don’t do a very good job of it. Your donors deserve better than that. Thanking your donors is something you need to do throughout the year – at least once a month, if you can.

Donation 296

Donation Calendar Media Readiness 296

Clairification

JULY 15, 2024

Notre Dame Cathedral is iconic and symbolic. It’s much more than a cathedral and historic building. It means a lot of things to a lot of people. The nature of that meaning may differ from person to person, but… people really care about its existence. When its very existence was threatened, this got people’s attention. Would it be saved?

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Government Fundraising Media IT 261

Clairification

APRIL 22, 2024

Fundraising is a means towards that end. Servant to philanthropy. Philanthropy, not fundraising. This has been the tagline for my business and blog since I began Clairification in 2011. It grew naturally out of my experiences working as a frontline development director for 30 years. Sustainable fundraising takes a village. Everyone counts.

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Fundraising Management Donation Funding 282

Clairification

FEBRUARY 5, 2024

This week the groundhog told us it’s going to be an early spring! Spring is always a good time for re-awakening, rebirth and just plain dusting away the cobwebs. And what a dreary, grave, cobwebby period it’s been. We’ve got a lot to clean up, reorganize and rethink. So much, in fact, it’s downright overwhelming.

Nonprofit 291

Nonprofit Fundraising IT Metrics 291

Clairification

SEPTEMBER 11, 2023

Getting in the spirit of acts of kindness It’s been a rough decade thus far, beginning with a pandemic out there killing people. And then the hurricanes, fires, floods and earthquakes killing people. Not to mention the genocides, autocracies, global and domestic terrorists killing people. The list, unfortunately, goes inexorably on.

Nonprofit 301

Nonprofit IT 301

Clairification

MAY 15, 2023

So, I thought I’d take a quick minute to send you some tips I’ve curated from others to help stimulate your thinking and planning for ways ChatGPT (Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer) and other AI-driven chatbots have potential to free up your time and revolutionize how you communicate with donors. You can ignore all of this if you choose.

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AI ChatGPT Nonprofit Training 317