As nonprofits look to increase their number of sustainers and the number of payment options and providers grows, best practices and payment guidelines can sometimes become daunting to fundraisers. Rules are often created because of challenges in the commercial and subscription world, as was the case with new Mastercard Recurring Transaction Regulations in 2022.  Fortunately, thanks to the convincing case presented by fundraisers and The Nonprofit Alliance (TNPA), nonprofits became largely exempt from those regulations, which was a major relief. But it is important to remember that rules ..read more

It’s no secret—these past few years have been a rollercoaster for just about every sector, nonprofits included. Financial resilience has shifted from a nice-to-have to an absolute must, ensuring organizations not only survive but thrive in their ability to further their missions. Part of becoming more financially resilient is hosting more effective, profitable fundraisers. Fortunately, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel to do so. In this guide, we’ll explore how you can increase your success and revenue from a tried-and-true fundraising event: silent auctions. By fine-tuning your approach to ..read more

Step into your donors’ shoes for a moment and consider your nonprofit’s current approach to outreach. As a donor, where are you seeing the organization’s messages the most? On social media? Via email? What about the nonprofit’s messages stand out to you? Maybe details on impact or a compelling story from a beneficiary come to mind. Most importantly, do the organization’s outreach efforts make you want to engage more or donate again? If you get overwhelmed just thinking about your donor communications strategy in this way, you’re not alone. Mastering the art of donor outreach is a common challe ..read more

These days, you can’t open an email without some type of message about artificial intelligence (AI). Complete conferences are created around the topic. It’s all I see in my LinkedIn feed right now.  I must say I’m concerned that everybody is jumping on AI as the next shiny new thing because the reality is that AI is not going to help you raise one more dollar if you don’t do the basics first. AI could be draining your time and focus away from those things that will help you keep your donors and will help you raise more money for your mission.  Why? Because AI takes time. Just like hu ..read more

Direct mail is a longstanding tactic nonprofit fundraising professionals have consistently used to reach their target audiences and solicit donations. However, July 2024 will mark the United States Postal Service’s fifth increase in postal rates in less than two years. Is it even worth it for nonprofits to continue to use this method as costs keep rising? The simple answer to this question is yes. Nonprofit direct mail aimed at existing donors has an average response rate of 5.3%, which is extremely high compared to other marketing channels. So, how can nonprofits ensure their direct mail appr ..read more

Running a nonprofit is no easy task. Resources are often limited, and your organization may have to navigate both internal fundraising challenges and external economic turbulence as you work to make a difference in your community. The best way to mitigate these issues is to build up your nonprofit’s financial resilience. With systems in place to adapt to changing circumstances, your organization can sustain its operations and continue to provide services no matter what uncertainties may arise. In this guide, we’ll walk through four strategies for building financial resilience, including how to ..read more

Your nonprofit works hard to make your mission come to life, from innovating new community programs to providing direct services for your beneficiaries. However, your ability to effectively serve those around you depends on one central component: a steady flow of donations. If your nonprofit struggles to hit your fundraising goals, you might need to improve the accessibility of your online donation experience. A more inclusive, user-friendly donation process opens up your nonprofit to more prospective donors, allowing you to maximize funds raised  and build relationships you can count on ..read more

As a nonprofit fundraising professional, you know it’s not enough to address donor outreach messages with “Dear Donor” and call it a day. With 71% of consumers expecting personalized interactions with brands, nonprofits like yours must focus on developing meaningful moments for supporters. In this guide, we’ll explore the following tips for creating personalized donor interactions that inspire long-term, reliable support: Segment your donors. Use an interaction timeline. Call donors to express appreciation. Create unexpected moments. Ask for feedback. Whether you’re looking to level up your ..read more

Implementing new constituent relationship management (CRM) software for your nonprofit is a major milestone. Whether it’s your first CRM or a more robust system to scale with your organization’s growth, your new CRM will help you streamline your operations and manage your donors more effectively—ultimately allowing you to do more for your mission. But once you’ve put in the work to compare the top CRMs, evaluate your priorities, and choose the best system for your nonprofit, what comes next? The answer is implementation, a process in which you set up, customize, and migrate data to your new CR ..read more

Your nonprofit or mission-driven organization might feel motivated to adapt its visual storytelling approach to respond to shifting audience preferences or changes to your organization’s brand or cause. Online storytelling is our favorite way to drive mission engagement and upgrade current donors. Marketers frequently use visual elements like pictures, infographics, charts, data visualizations, and videos to drive their storytelling strategies. But how can you improve these visual elements to tell your story authentically this year? Let’s explore five expert tips for enhancing visual storytell ..read more