Pamela Grow

FEBRUARY 27, 2025

Accountability is at the heart of nonprofit accounting. Because your organization cant turn a profit by definition, the goal of tracking your finances is to demonstrate to donors, funders, the government, and the community that youre using your funding responsibly to further your mission. Financial reporting is critical for accountability, and financial statements are among the most important reports your nonprofit will create each year.

Liability

Pamela Grow

JUNE 10, 2025

Online fundraising is a cornerstone of nonprofit success. Virtual campaigns are quick to launch, cost-effective, and capable of reaching supporters beyond your immediate network. However, publishing a campaign page is only the beginning. Without the right promotional strategy, even the most urgent cause can go unnoticed. Your digital marketing strategy determines whether donors will actually donate to your fundraiser.

Fundraising

Pamela Grow

MARCH 9, 2025

Hardly a week passes that I dont get an email like this one from Amanda: We are looking at expanding the number of direct mail campaigns we run. Ive attended your webinars and followed you for quite some time. Do you have a mailhouse that you recommend? Our campaigns are smaller, maybe 500 to 1,000 pieces mailed. We are looking for a mailhouse that will help segment and everything.

Pass-Through

Pamela Grow

FEBRUARY 5, 2025

Does your nonprofit want to increase engagement with your marketing and fundraising efforts? If so, you need a lead generation strategy. You may have heard of lead generation in a business setting, but nonprofits can also effectively use this concept to drive engagement online and boost support for their missions. The top nonprofit websites capture audience interest at all stages of the donor funnel or journey.

Nonprofit

Pamela Grow

JUNE 2, 2025

In a sector often driven by quarterly fundraising goals, immediate needs, and the urgency of now, legacy giving can feel like a luxury. Something to get around to when everything else is done. Maybe next year. Maybe during National Make a Will Month. Maybe when theres room in the budget for FreeWill or a glossy brochure. But as recent insights from Maximizing Legacy Giving at a Time of Change by Tracy Malloy-Curtis highlight, that mindset is no longer sustainable.

Budget

Pamela Grow

DECEMBER 25, 2024

Every one of you Ive talked to recently every last one has told me that your year-end campaign went out late. Hey, it happens. Its been a year. But have no fear. if youre behind on your goals, you can still do plenty between now and December 31. 1. A Home Page Takeover Consider a home page takeoverlike this. You know that yes, online giving isgrowing because of how accessible and easy it is (or how easy and accessible itssupposedto be).So how easy are you making it for your donors to give onli

Fundraising

Pamela Grow

FEBRUARY 11, 2025

Nonprofit events are a powerful way to showcase your mission and raise critical funds. From the excitement of bidding in an auction to the inspiring stories shared on stage, these events are unforgettable experiences for your attendees. However, many organizations make the mistake of letting all that energy fizzle out when the event ends. Without a thoughtful follow-up strategy, the momentum youve worked so hard to build fades, leaving attendees and supporters with awkward silence.

Metrics

Pamela Grow

MARCH 6, 2025

How are you connecting with your donors NOW, at a time when every day brings a fresh assault on humanity? Answer: With love. Always. In their latest email newsletter, Plainsong Farm writes of love The rhythms of tending the land, nourishing neighbors, and grounding in hope draw us into a bigger love a love for Harry the self-important rooster, a love for the soil, a love for the driver who rolls down their window to ask if there are any tomatoes available, a love garter snakes, a love for the ei

Nonprofit

Pamela Grow

FEBRUARY 5, 2025

Our day-to-day overwhelm here in the US is intense. And its designed to make us all feel uncertain. Helpless. Passive even. Your overwhelm is the goal. If we give in, we find ourselves suffocating in distractions. But the good news is you can counteract that when you focus on the pursuit of excellence. Becoming your best your strongest, your most resilient, your most loving, your smartest self Becoming YOUR best self, for lack of a better way to say this, will effortlessly snowball into the b

Fundraising

Pamela Grow

NOVEMBER 27, 2024

Nothing, but nothing, has the power to transform your fundraising quite like gratitude. And no one does gratitude quite like Lisa Sargent, founder of the free Donor Thank-You Clinics (named one of the world’s “top 10 gifts for fundraisers” by SOFII), and co-author of Lessons from Merchants Quay Ireland , a widely praised case history on the remarkable outcome of proper donor care, created at the invitation of the Commission on the Donor Experience.

Fundraising

Pamela Grow

JANUARY 22, 2025

I woke up this morning thinking about the movie, The Matrix. If you’re not familiar, the Matrixis a 1999science fictionaction film starring Keanu Reeves as Neo, a computer hacker. Theres a scene where Neo discovers that most of the population is asleep in pods where they are being used like a battery by the sentient AI that put them there. A chilling notion.

AI

Pamela Grow

APRIL 11, 2025

I launched my consulting career smack-dab in the middle of the 2008 financial crisis. Id just come from working at a family grant-making foundation, and I witnessed something Ill never forget. Local nonprofit after nonprofit, small and heavily reliant on grants, shutting their doors for good. It was heartbreaking. But it was also eye-opening. In transitioning to fundraising, I always had three words running through my brain.

Fundraising

Pamela Grow

OCTOBER 24, 2024

Do you ever feel like you’re treading water…and not really making a difference? That’s how I was feeling the other day. I’d just heard some sad news, I’ve been administering chemo to Wally, the wonder pup, and this election has me on edge. Then Dawn’s email arrived. Here, I’ll let you read it… “I don’t expect you to remember me. I am the co-founder of an animal and nature sanctuary in upstate NY.

Donation

Pamela Grow

APRIL 30, 2025

Through engaging email campaigns , data-driven fundraising initiatives, and exciting events, nonprofits have seemingly endless strategies for encouraging donors to give more. Recurring donations are the cornerstone of a sustainable nonprofit. A robust monthly, or recurring, giving program provides predictable income, stronger donor relationships, and lower fundraising costs.

Donation

Pamela Grow

FEBRUARY 5, 2025

Our day-to-day overwhelm here in the US is intense. And its designed to make us all feel uncertain. Helpless. Passive even. Your overwhelm is the goal. If we give in, we find ourselves suffocating in distractions. But the good news is you can counteract that when you focus on the pursuit of excellence. Becoming your best your strongest, your most resilient, your most loving, your smartest self Becoming YOUR best self, for lack of a better way to say this, will effortlessly snowball into the b

Fundraising

Pamela Grow

JANUARY 22, 2025

I woke up this morning thinking about the movie, The Matrix. If you’re not familiar, the Matrixis a 1999science fictionaction film starring Keanu Reeves as Neo, a computer hacker. Theres a scene where Neo discovers that most of the population is asleep in pods where they are being used like a battery by the sentient AI that put them there. A chilling notion.

AI

Pamela Grow

OCTOBER 3, 2024

Sometimes finding the right story for your year-end appeal can be tough. How do you capture stories in a way that truly invites your reader into the picture? The stories that inspire action? Spend the best 30 minutes of your day as Natalie Monroe, Community Engagement Manager at MemoryFox, shares the secrets to identifying and crafting compelling stories that drive engagement and inspire action.

Ethics

Pamela Grow

SEPTEMBER 25, 2024

Recent nonprofit trends show that giving is on the decline, decreasing by 2.1% between 2022 and 2023. To keep donors around and retain their support, organizations have to grab supporters’ attention and make their communications stand out from the thousands of messages their audience receives each day. The best way to accomplish this feat is through segmentation: the process of grouping your supporters based on their similarities and sending them targeted messages they’re more likely to respond

Demographics

Pamela Grow

SEPTEMBER 18, 2024

Giving by bequests accounted for $42.68 billion, or approximately 5% of the total philanthropic pie in 2023. Are you getting your share? Contrary to what you may have heard, incorporating planned giving into your fundraising doesn’t have to be complex. Quite the opposite, you can use what you already have in place. In this MotivateMonday session, we’re joined by Christopher McGown of Peak9860.

AI

Pamela Grow

AUGUST 28, 2024

When it comes to fundraising, our hearts nearly always overrule our heads. Research proves it time and time again. Yet still, nonprofit organizations instead turn to dry, jargon-laden prose that sets no one’s heart aflame. (All about “our programs!”) If only I had a dime for every time I’ve heard about how “horrible” or “manipulative” the Sarah McLachlan ASPCA commercial is (usually accompanied by a knowing eye roll).

AI

Pamela Grow

AUGUST 14, 2024

Successful nonprofits have a diverse revenue stream, and grant funding is often a key component. But grants are not a magic bullet to fix funding woes. Learn what grants can and cannot do for your organization, along with tips for finding the right fit for your agency’s mission and programs. Join us for this MotivateMonday session when we’re joined by Amanda Day, GPC, and Kimberly Hays de Muga, GPC, co-hosts of the popular podcast, Fundraising HayDay.

Funding

Pamela Grow

AUGUST 14, 2024

“What do I do if my nonprofit serves individuals who have sensitive stories that could trigger others?” In the nonprofit world, it is common to see missions that are serving individuals who have experienced incredible hardships and overcome massive challenges. Children from underserved communities. Adults who have experienced trauma. People experiencing homelessness.

Ethics

Pamela Grow

JULY 31, 2024

Have you ever heard of something called the ‘honeymoon phase?’ In marketing, the term ‘honeymoon phase’ refers to the period (usually one to two weeks) following a customer’s purchase. They’re in love with the product or service. And the savvy business builds on that relationship. Right from the start. You’ve probably seen honeymoon phase influence used a lot.

Fundraising

Pamela Grow

JULY 29, 2024

Storytelling plays an integral role in fundraising success. But have you considered implementing storytelling into all aspects of your fundraising event? Join Carly Euler, Marketing Manager at MemoryFox , as she shares all the ways you can embrace nonprofit storytelling before, during, and after your event. Fundraising event season is upon us, and it’s likely that your organization is considering sharing an impact story during your event to help drive donations.

Software

Pamela Grow

JULY 24, 2024

Auctions are among the most engaging and lucrative fundraising events your nonprofit could host. They appeal to a wide range of supporter interests and foster a fun atmosphere of friendly competition. Plus, they have the potential to raise thousands of dollars for your mission through winning bids on items, entry fees, and additional donations made during the event.

Procurement

Pamela Grow

JULY 24, 2024

Imagine this: Your nonprofit is in the midst of several key projects and is planning to launch a new community program, all of which will greatly benefit your mission. When you combine the associated expenses with the costs of operating your organization day-to-day, you determine that you’ll need to add new fundraisers to your calendar to fund all of these initiatives.

Fundraising

Pamela Grow

JULY 10, 2024

The latest GivingUSA report on charitable giving in the United States is out. What do smart fundraisers, particularly those heading up “one-person” development shops, need to know? Charitable giving in the U.S. declined by 2.1% in 2023 after adjusting for inflation. Nonprofits have been concerned about the decreasing number of American donors for years, and the 2023 report reinforces these worries.

Letter Of Inquiry

Pamela Grow

JUNE 6, 2024

Trends for 2024 indicate a rise in AI for donor communications. However, these same trends also indicate that these AI-written messages, if poorly implemented, may alienate donors. After all, donors are unlikely to feel valued if they receive the same AI-created email from every nonprofit they support. This also means that 2024 is the year to stand out from the crowd by getting creative with your donor recognition strategy.

AI

Pamela Grow

MAY 9, 2024

The goal of growing your email list should play a primary role in every nonprofit’s yearly fundraising plan. Always. Email is more important than your Facebook, TikTok, or Instagram followers combined. Why? Because it’s only through email that you can build a one-to-one relationship online. To say nothing of the old maxim “never build your house on rented land.

Nonprofit

Pamela Grow

MAY 2, 2024

Of the data your nonprofit collects , financial information is one of the most useful types—and one of the most complex to track. Keeping thorough, accurate records of your organization’s finances allows you to know how much funding you have on hand and effectively allocate it to further your mission. However, the wide range of revenue sources and expenses your nonprofit may have can quickly complicate your data collection and analysis.

Nonprofit

Pamela Grow

APRIL 25, 2024

The growth of AI in nonprofit donor communications means that lately my inbox has been filled to the brim with nonsense like this: We hope this message finds you well and filled with the same warmth and gratitude that we feel as we reach out to express our deepest thanks for your unwavering support of XYZ. Your commitment to making a positive impact in our community has been nothing short of inspiring, and we are genuinely grateful for the trust and generosity you continue to show.

AI

Pamela Grow

APRIL 10, 2024

Email or print donor newsletter? Smart nonprofits utilize both to keep their donors close. But only print donor newsletters have the “sticky” quality that leads to greater donor loyalty — and the greatest gift of all, the bequest gift. Leading international fundraising copywriter, Lisa Sargent, calls print donor newsletters your “retention engines.

Engineering

Pamela Grow

MARCH 14, 2024

Recruiting and retaining staff can feel like scaling a mountain. Even when you think you’ve gotten closer to the summit, you most likely still have one or two more positions to fill or may even face staff turnover. Recruitment challenges have been listed as one of the upcoming trends to look out for in 2024. This is no surprise as recruiting talented staff involves making your organization stand out in a competitive market and maintaining clear expectations, which is an area of improvement for m

Nonprofit

Pamela Grow

MARCH 14, 2024

Recruiting and retaining staff can feel like scaling a mountain. Even when you think you’ve gotten closer to the summit, you most likely still have one or two more positions to fill or may even face staff turnover. Recruitment challenges have been listed as one of the upcoming trends to look out for in 2024. This is no surprise as recruiting talented staff involves making your organization stand out in a competitive market and maintaining clear expectations, which is an area of improvement for m

Nonprofit

Pamela Grow

MARCH 7, 2024

Closeup Woman hand using Laptop pc with email icon, Email concept Creating your nonprofit’s digital strategy comes with its own set of challenges, from creating engaging campaigns to standing out in donors’ inboxes. But the good news is that nonprofits benefit from higher open rates compared to regular marketing emails. Your real test lies in converting these opens into donations.

Nonprofit

Pamela Grow

MARCH 6, 2024

Every day you sit down to begin working on a project. Perhaps it’s your first donor newsletter. Or an invitation to your organization’s latest event. Or maybe you’ve finally decided to work on your email welcome series. Only to be interrupted by a notification on your phone for a new *free* webinar promising the latest in fundraising innovation (probably something AI-related).

Publishing

Pamela Grow

FEBRUARY 27, 2024

Your nonprofit invests significant time, energy, and money into bettering the lives of those you serve. However, you can’t do it all on your own. Building relationships with donors, volunteers, and advocates ensures that you have a reliable source of support to power your mission year after year. Thanks to modern technology, the world is more interconnected than ever.

Nonprofit