Here we are, 4th Quarter It’s been documented year after year that at least 1/3 of a nonprofit’s revenue is raised in the last 3 months of the calendar year. And, 12% of that happens in the last 3 days of the December. Giving Tuesday is becoming more popular among donors…

Are you one of those fundraisers who only thinks in dollars? Annual giving Recurring gifts Sponsorships Ticket sales Dollars are very important for a nonprofit organization, there’s no question about that, but there’s more than one way to have an impact on the bottom line. Most of the examples I’m…

When I think of passive income, I think of trust funds, stock dividends, and real estate investments. However, these are not options for nonprofits that want to add passive income to their revenue streams. The best passive income for a nonprofit is an endowment, but unless you’re a university, hospital,…

Why do I do what I do? This question has been with me as long as I can remember. Looking back, many of my decisions were made to please someone, like parents or husbands. Other decisions were based on my best guess of what I thought was appropriate (or not).…

What is a poverty mentality or poverty mindset? It is the culture of an organization perpetuated by the board and the leadership. It is the half empty rather than the half full outlook on life. It is, “We don’t have the money, we’ll never have the money, so get used…

COVID-19 has changed our lives. It has changed the way we communicate, the way we work and, the way we play. In my case, it has also changed the way I look. After months of being confined to home, my roots started to show. Now, it’s one thing to admit…

These words: inclusion, diversity, equity, access have become buzzwords, used interchangeably. That’s why I’m starting with the definitions. Each word has a different meaning, but they are all positive responses to the challenges we face in our communities across the country. Inclusion: (noun) the act of including. Include (transitive verb)…

Identify, Research, Cultivate, Solicit, Steward. How many times have you gone through this cycle? As fundraisers, that’s what we do. Some of us work for large institutions with research departments and donor relations teams, but I would say, the majority of us work for much smaller organizations with one or…

From the donor’s point of view, stewardship is the most important part of the fundraising cycle. This is where you let your donors know you appreciate them and their support. In this phase, you already know they are committed to the mission. Now, it’s your turn to let them know…

The first quarter of your fiscal year is the best time to host a board retreat. For many organizations that quarter coincides with the calendar year. Why have a board retreat? This is a valid question. There must be a purpose for the retreat. Here are a few questions that…