https://youtu.be/ssvkj-lUk7E Year-end giving campaigns are a foundation of fundraising programs everywhere. But - many nonprofits - both large and small alike - struggle to get them right.  So many challenges and downfalls are out there: Sometimes the appeal letters are completely off the mark because they have the wrong tone. Even worse, we see committees that try to “group think” their appeal letters - resulting in watered-down pablum.  Some organizations neglect their donors during the year, and are then disappointed by lackluster giving from a list that has grown cool or even col ..read more

Giving USA is chock-full of the latest data that reports on how philanthropy fared in 2023. (Here’s a spoiler - despite the impact of inflation, Americans NEVER stop being generous!) We’ve written about the top takeaways and answered your questions. What Do Board Members Need to Know About Giving Trends Today?  Here’s the key information that your board members and stakeholders need to know. We’ve pitched in with a helpful acronym to guide your board update: GIVE.  The top takeaways from Giving USA 2024 can be summed up in four words: Giving  Influence Values Economy 1. Givin ..read more

  We recently shared our top insights on the Giving USA 2024 report with a wonderful group of nonprofit leaders.  They also asked some very interesting questions about fundraising trends and how their fundraising programs might be impacted.  Here are the main Giving USA 2024 FAQs we received – along with answers, of course! If you’d like a copy of the webinar recording, just send us an email. Giving Trends from 2023  As a refresher, 2023 was a phenomenal year for charitable giving. Total charitable donations hit a whopping $557.16 billion!  It’s an important reminder ..read more

The latest Giving USA annual report is out, and it's packed with insights that can supercharge your fundraising strategy.  What’s So Important About Giving USA 2024?  This report is known for its reliability and respect in the philanthropic world.  We like it because it offers a deep dive into charitable giving trends and giving statistics across all sectors in the U.S. Join us for a deep dive webinar where we will discuss our Giving USA Insights on Monday, July 1, at 2 p.m. ET. Register here.   How Did Giving Perform in 2023?  2023 was a phenomenal year for char ..read more

You’re in the final stretch of the fiscal year, and the pressure is on! How will you and your team make it through till June 30th?  Here are our nine tips to help your team not only survive but come out with a win.  1. Keep Your Energy Up! Let's be honest: year-end fundraising is a marathon, not a sprint. But that doesn't mean you can't have fun along the way!  If you can manage to keep the energy high and the smiles genuine, you’ll be a lot better off.  We believe in radiating positivity and determination. It's infectious, and it motivates everyone to keep at it. “Keep it ..read more

Is your fundraising team all set to meet your annual fund goal? It's always a big push - working to close those last minute donations to your nonprofit. If your fiscal year closes on June 30th like many nonprofit institutions, then the race is on. It's just around the corner, and all of your numbers will be totaled. This post shares our number one tip to help your team zoom over goal this fiscal year-end. Who are your top prospects to help you meet your year-end fundraising goal? Where will the easy money come from, so to speak? We think, if you focus carefully, you can reach out to a particu ..read more

https://youtu.be/O1JyZtLXeCg Is it possible to launch a big new project, initiative or even a grand capital campaign with a party? Absolutely! You may know that we are fond of donor cultivation events. Why? Because if these events are done well, then they can bring many benefits to your organization. Watch this 3-minute video for a personal example of how the Cape Fear Botanical Garden used a garden party to setup early lead gifts before the campaign got off the ground.   The Benefits of Small Social Gatherings What are the benefits of small socials and porch parties? First of all, it's w ..read more

Here’s an important question: Did your last thank you note to a donor make your donor feel: JOYFUL to know their recent gift made a difference? ASSURED the gift they made was a wise investment? PROUD to be supporting such a worthwhile organization? Remember, a thank you note isn’t just a show of manners. It’s your first step toward retaining this donor for the long run. That’s why feelings are important. How would you rate your organization's thank you letters to donors? Are they warm and gracious? Or do they sound grand and lofty, like someone giving a speech? We expect your thank you's can ..read more

AI to the Rescue: Streamlining Thank You’s for More Donor Love As fundraisers, we understand the power of a well-crafted thank-you note. It's far more than a formality – a heartfelt acknowledgment cements the donor's positive experience, strengthens relationships, and paves the way for continued generosity. But let's face it, finding time to personalize thank you can be a massive challenge, especially for short-staffed development offices.  That's where AI comes in, offering a helping hand to make our jobs easier and donor experiences even better. Use AI to Write Thank You Letters The Gai ..read more

Here’s an important question: Did your last thank you note to a donor make your donor feel: JOYFUL to know their recent gift made a difference? ASSURED the gift they made was a wise investment? PROUD to be supporting such a worthwhile organization? Remember, a thank you note isn’t just a show of manners. It’s your first step toward retaining this donor for the long run. That’s why feelings are important. How would you rate your organization's thank you letters to donors? Are they warm and gracious? Or do they sound grand and lofty, like someone giving a speech? We expect your thank you's can u ..read more