I just got let go from yet another organization who didn't see my value. After leaving a 10 year career in sales, where I won awards, built a robust network, but felt I needed more purpose, I came to this sector looking for that. Instead I am being met with nothing but criticism, judgement, and frankly losing faith in this whole sector. I feel like a damn joke. I am realizing that fundraising isn't less pressure than sales at all. In fact I have never felt so judged and less valued in my life. I may not be the most detail oriented person out there. But I love people, relationship building, op ..read more

I have always worked for small fundraising shops doing what I’d call “scrappy” development work with barely functioning CRMs. I’m now working at a more sophisticated organization with more resources and staff. I need to set fundraising goals related to pipeline development and I’m not sure how to go about this. For context, we need to raise $8M from private revenue sources, but our current weighted pipeline is only at $9.5M. I believe an ideal pipeline coverage ratio is 3:1 or 4:1. Now I know we likely cannot get there in just one year, but how do you set goals to build up your pipeline? Is i ..read more

Hi, We have a non-profit theater group that raises money via a silent auction for baskets. We do 4 shows over a weekend. One Friday, two Saturday, one Sunday. You bid by writing your name and bid on a sheet of paper and the highest amount after the Sunday show wins. This obviously gives a huge advantage to the people who show up on Sunday as they can just up the highest bid by one increment and win. People who come on Friday or Saturday have little chance to win anything for the same reason. I'm looking for suggestions on something we could do to help the people who attend to the first three ..read more

I am a part of a student organization at a university in New York. Essentially, we were a chapter of a non-profit that had 501c-3 status. Our chapter fundraises for an Indian non-profit and our funds went through the HQ or the university to get to our partner. Our HQ dissolved last year and our chapter wants to continue donating to the Indian organization but, they do not have 501c-3 stauts. What does the process look like for the Indian organization to obtain 501c-3 status so that we can donate to them through our university as they are asking for them to obtain it? submitted by /u/AdBenefi ..read more

My ED is interested in sending handwritten notes to donors via email along with a system generated acknowledgement letter. Apparently someone who used to be on staff found a way (an app or a web app or something?) to allow the ED to handwrite notes that would attach to emails or become part of the message. This was never implemented (as the staff member left) and I can find no notes in the office, email, or shared drives about it. (I'm trying to reach them for more info) We generate donor acknowledgement letters directly from our CRM and then either print them or the CRM will send an email to ..read more

I’ve been volunteering with an organization for a few months now and as I’m wrapping up my masters degree, there’s conveniently going to be an opening as a Nonprofit Development Associate meant to be entry level. The details are still being worked out but job hunting has been stressful so I’m just curious what would be reasonable to expect pay wise? Also, anyone that’s had a similar role, how did you like your job as a development associate? This is my first time in the professional job market and I’m feeling super stressed. I’m hoping to seek out some answers and advice if possible. submitt ..read more

Like, nothing is ever a deep cut, but the daily onslaught of requests, complaints, demands, favors, etc. for things that I'm dependent upon others (like the board) for is just always a little too much in its totality. submitted by /u/Big_Schedule_anon [visit reddit] [comments ..read more

TL;DR: Starting a brand, content, and growth firm and need help refining my business plan. I was laid off last year and took it as a sign from the universe that I should switch back to consulting and use the opportunity to make the world better. I ran a successful freelance business X years ago serving the private sector, but this time around I want to focus on helping nonprofits and social enterprises. I’m working on a business plan and would love some feedback in a few areas - but first, a bit about my background: - I have expertise in brand strategy, marketing, content strategy, business d ..read more

As the title says. We just migrated to the Modern UI and it's much different, but also seems to be lacking some functionality (or I just haven't figured it out yet), would love to ask some questions if anyone here is currently using it. submitted by /u/Howdysf [visit reddit] [comments ..read more

Our nonprofit is fairly new and I have little marketing experience. I’m trying to get a local scholarship in front of students before the deadline next Friday. So far we have one application and it’s been open since May 29th so I worry I failed my first time managing it. So far we have it advertised on a local news site and in their print editions, on linkedin, Facebook, and Instagram as well as a couple of emails to eligible local students, parents, college counselors, and professors. Is there another place I should have posted to? Where do students go to find scholarships besides their coun ..read more