December, 2023

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Arts fundraising – why donor experiences are your superpower

Hands-On Fundraising

Art – in all its forms – is meant to move us. And it’s meant to be experienced – to create a reaction that is body and soul deep. Donor experience matters – a lot – to every nonprofit that needs donors. But arts fundraisers have an advantage. Their mission is an experience. If yours […] The post Arts fundraising – why donor experiences are your superpower appeared first on Hands-On Fundraising.

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May Your Holidays Be Merry and Bright

Lightning Fast Grant Writing

Mele Kalikimaka! We wish you a Merry Christmas in Hawaiian because we are in Honolulu tonight enjoying the warm, rainy weather. We welcome a chance to recall the best of 2023. Surprisingly, neither of us native Californians had ever visited Death Valley, despite the fact it is only a four-hour drive away. In February, however, we took a tour of it and tasted the exceptionally pure salt at Badwater Basin, a salt flat located 282 feet below sea level.

IT 279
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Should you ask nonprofit donors to cover gift transaction fees?

Clairification

I’ve written about this before. But since I continue to get questions, I’m writing about it again. Fundraisers wonder about the upsides and downsides in asking donors to cover credit card and other gift transaction fees. Hmmn… First, let me be upfront in letting you know my gut emotional response to doing this is “no.” Why? Because it puts too much focus on the monetary transaction, making would-be donors think about money rather than impact.

Metrics 270
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The Importance of Creating a Nonprofit Communications Calendar

Ann Green's Nonprofit

I always like to emphasize the importance of keeping in touch with your donors throughout the year. I hope that’s a priority for you, too. Your donors want to hear from you and don’t just want to be blasted with fundraising appeals. The good news is that better donor communication (thank yous and updates) can help you raise more money. This is especially important if you’re falling behind in your revenue goals.

Calendar 141
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The Real Secret to Better Donor Communications

Joe Garecht Fundraising

Most fundraisers I know are frustrated with their donor communications… their fundraising letters aren't raising enough money their e-mail newsletters aren't being opened , and their websites aren't getting enough traffic This is a big problem, because if your donor communications aren't working, your non-profit WILL NOT have the money it needs to thrive.

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Nonprofit Tax Compliance: Three Things You Need to Know

Wild Apricot

Just because your nonprofit is tax-exempt doesn’t mean you can relax during tax season. Discover three things you need to know about nonprofit tax compliance.

Nonprofit 159
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Saving the world, losing your mind

Hands-On Fundraising

Saving the world, losing your mind… does that sound familiar to you? The Association of Fundraising Professionals says 75% of fundraisers are women. and A Harvard Business School study shows that however lofty her professional position, family issues are still seen as a woman’s problem. (Speed reading? An article in Slate summarizes the information contained in the […] The post Saving the world, losing your mind appeared first on Hands-On Fundraising.

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Don’t Blow Your Post-Holiday Opportunity to Thank Your Nonprofit Supporters

Clairification

For good things once a year is not enough. Why do so many of us only eat turkey once a year? Or pumpkin pie? I’ve no idea! It’s surely not rational. These are special foods we value and take great delight in. Yet we get into a bad habit of thinking on auto pilot. If it’s not Thanksgiving, the idea of roasting a turkey or making cranberry sauce doesn’t even enter most or our heads.

Nonprofit 263
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5 Things Smart Fundraisers Do in December

Gail Perry Group

With the holidays approaching & year-end fundraising closing out, we are all stampeding towards our goals. Here are 5 things smart fundraisers always do in December.

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How to Fundraise During Turbulent Times

NonProfit PRO

On the final day of Nonprofit POWER in Baltimore, Maryland, Bill Stanczykiewicz, senior assistant dean for external relations at Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, led the keynote session, “Fundraising in Turbulent Times” to help the nonprofit professionals in the room make sense of data and the wealth effects of charitable giving as they prepare for multiple scenarios in 2024.

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The Ultimate Nonprofit Ecommerce Guide: Best Platforms & Beyond!

Wild Apricot

A nonprofit ecommerce website helps grow your brand and diversify your streams of revenue. Here's how to make the best online store for nonprofits!

Nonprofit 160
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Why “because” matters to your ask

Hands-On Fundraising

Because is a word kids come to dread. I remember being a kid and getting a very unsatisfying answer to some questions. My questions were usually “Why?” or more often “Why not?” And the unsatisfying answer was “Because” or worse, “Because I said so.” Does that sound familiar to you? It was infuriating, of course. […] The post Why “because” matters to your ask appeared first on Hands-On Fundraising.

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Latino Community Foundation Appoints Julián Castro as Its New CEO

The Chronicle of Philanthropy

The former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development wants to increase the share of philanthropic dollars that go to Latino nonprofits. By Jim Rendon The former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development wants to increase the share of philanthropic dollars that go to Latino nonprofits.

IT 138
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Why Do Major Donors Switch Allegiance?

Clairification

Sometimes major donors give less than the previous year. Sometimes they stop giving to you entirely. What’s the worst sin committed by fundraisers when this happens? Not noticing. What’s the second worst sin? Assuming it has nothing to do with you. Sure, sometimes donors’ priorities change. Or some of their money goes to an emergency or crisis appeal rather than to your organization.

Readiness 258
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Award Grants Provide an Opportunity to Honor Those Most Deserving

GrantNews

Award grants provide an opportunity to honor those most deserving. Often, recognition for the contributions of teachers and their accomplishments in education go unnoticed, or certainly not sufficiently given the honor that they are due. Award grants may not solve the bigger problem, but at least you have the chance to do something on a smaller, individual scale to show your appreciation to someone deserving of praise.

Award 114
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4 Common Recurring Gift Bloopers

NonProfit PRO

It’s that time of year again. The holidays are near and the year-end giving crunch is on. That’s why I am sharing a few bloopers in direct mail and emails that could have been prevented in the past few months.

Donation 118
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How To Avoid The 6 Types Of 501c3 Violations In Your Nonprofit

Wild Apricot

Avoid losing your nonprofit's tax exempt status by understanding the six 501c3 violations. Our clear examples will help you stay in compliance.

Nonprofit 147
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Making meaning of Candid’s free demographic data set 

Candid

Today, Candid released our latest research manual, Analyzing Candid’s demographic data. Over 62,000 U.S. nonprofits currently share some demographic data about their staff and board with Candid. As a result of our Demographics via Candid efforts, this number has increased significantly over the past two years. In fact, about 1,000 nonprofits are now adding demographic data to their Candid profiles every month.

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Donor Revolts, Fundraising Fallout, and Why the Ivy League's Turmoil Matters to All Nonprofits

The Chronicle of Philanthropy

Nonprofit leaders, academics, and funders weigh in on donor influence and free-speech politics, following the resignation of Penn President Liz Magill Following the resignation of Penn President Liz Magill, nonprofit leaders, academics, and funders weigh in on donor influence and free speech politics.

Nonprofit 135
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14 Last-Minute Strategies to Boost Year-End Fundraising

Clairification

Arrgh! Too crowded! Too competitive! Too much noise! I’m curling into a fetal position until it’s over! Do you have that year-end feeling? You know, the one many fundraisers get around this time of year? Kind of frenetic? Anxious? Stressed? You’re not alone. The average nonprofit receives 26 – 30% of all donations in December. And 10% arrive in the last three days of the year!

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How to Write an LOI: Letter of Intent, Letter of Interest, Letter of Inquiry

GrantNews

You may be noticing that there are many foundations asking for an LOI before requesting a full grant proposal. A funding source also uses an LOI to determine if applicants align with their vision mission. LOI: Letter of Intent, Letter of Interest, Letter of Inquiry An LOI should be thought of as a mini-grant proposal where you hit each of the points generally required in a full proposal.

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Donors Give $3.1 Billion to Nonprofits on GivingTuesday This Year

NonProfit PRO

In the first indication of how year-end giving will fare this year, GivingTuesday donations rose less than 1% on Tuesday. The GivingTuesday Data Commons noted that more analysis of the data will be unveiled over the coming weeks.

Donation 114
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Nonprofit Capacity Building: 12 Innovative Strategies to Try For 2024

Wild Apricot

Help your organization function at its best by dedicating energy to nonprofit capacity building. Grants, software solutions, peer learning and more!

Software 142
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Building a nonprofit budget: 4 steps to get started

Candid

Once you’ve established a new nonprofit , one of your first considerations will likely be fundraising. After all, the only way you can fulfill your organization’s mission is if you can bring in the funding you need to support your programs and initiatives. You should also have a plan for how to effectively manage your funding, which is where your financial strategy comes into play.

Budget 108
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Retiring Philanthropy Leader Was Always 'a Step or Two Ahead of the Pack'

The Chronicle of Philanthropy

Crystal Hayling continually challenged conventional wisdom, practicing trust-based philanthropy before it was fashionable. By Eden Stiffman Libra Hayling is set to retire from her post as executive director of the Libra Foundation. Crystal Hayling continually challenged conventional wisdom, practicing trust-based philanthropy before it was fashionable.

IT 123
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Year-End Clairity Click-it: Nonprofit Links + Free Resources

Clairification

Here’s a bit of wisdom that really spoke to me this week, especially as we navigate this particular season at this particular moment in our shared world… Throwing shade or throwing light? “One takes a little more effort than the other. While throwing shade might be more fun, it eventually runs out of energy. It’s designed to end conversations, not start them, to intimidate, not encourage.

IT 168
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Happy Holidays from Us to You!

GrantNews

I want to thank everyone who has helped GrantWatch grow throughout the last 13 years. Your commitment to finding grants to use for the greater good is what drives GrantWatch.com. It is you, our subscribers who motivate me and our staff to wake up each morning to search and present the grants to you in the best possible format. We love your suggestions and we hear you.

Grant 111
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Your CEO Should Build Your Nonprofit Community

NonProfit PRO

Community is “actionable,” Katrina VanHuss, chair and founder of Turnkey, said. It gets people to do crazy things like VanHuss signing up for Jujitsu and Courtney Bugler, president and CEO of Zero Prostate Cancer, joining the ballroom dance community, the pair shared in the NonProfit POWER session, “Why the CEO Is the Only One Who Can Build Your Nonprofit Community.

Nonprofit 114
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Donor Databases For Nonprofits: Ultimate 2024 Guide + 8 Best Software Picks!

Wild Apricot

Donor databases streamline donor information and make it easy to connect.

Software 163
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Three Essentials for Grant Success: Ingredients, Preparation, and Presentation

Grant Training Center

When the donor is expecting excellence, resourcefulness, and a keen awareness of how best to assure outcomes that make a difference, the best way to meet their needs is to incorporate the three essentials for grant success. The three essentials for grant success are ingredients, preparation, and presentation. All of these are crucial, equally important, and required for success.

Grant 108
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How Foundations Can Build Trust-Based Relationships With Grantees

The Chronicle of Philanthropy

By Stephanie J. Hull and Hilary Pennington iStock Involve potential grantees in learning at the outset, and more advice from a grant maker and a nonprofit leader.

Grant 129
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New Year Clairity Click-it: Nonprofit Links + Free Resources

Clairification

Let’s begin with this week’s bit of wisdom… Generosity and gratitude A gift doesn’t diminish the giver. Sharing creates connection, possibility and energy. And the magic of gratitude is that it improves everything it touches, especially the person who offered it in the first place. So, what holds us back? Fear. Fear of connection, of change, of seeing what is possible.

IT 161
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Living Up to Your Nonprofit’s Mission – Ethical Decision-Making

GrantNews

Ethical decision-making is at the core of every nonprofit’s mission. Ultimately, the success of a nonprofit is judged by how it accomplishes its goals and the transparency involved. Honestly, it’s the bedrock of their credibility and long-term success. If nonprofits exist to fulfill a societal need, doesn’t it stand to reason their stakeholders, donors, volunteers, and beneficiaries deserve to hold them to a strict ethical standard?

Ethics 111
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5 Social Media Content Ideas for Nonprofits

NonProfit PRO

There are approximately 1.8 million charitable nonprofits in America that provide help and support in various ways. While that is an incredible statistic, it leaves a pressing question: What makes your nonprofit stand out in the sea of millions?

Media 113
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Charting a New Course for Youth Engagement

Blue Avocado

A blueprint for how using strategic inquiry can help your nonprofit better understand your community’s needs and provide key insights with the potential to help you innovate and better serve those who count on you. The post Charting a New Course for Youth Engagement appeared first on Blue Avocado.

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Ranking above the rest: The top 10 most-read Candid blogs in 2023

Candid

Every December, Google publishes its Year in Search , an annual roundup of the top trends and topics across its trillions of online searches. It also offers a glimpse into what was top of mind for Google’s online community that year. As 2023 concludes, we’ve put our twist on this yearly tradition. To celebrate you, our amazing community of readers, we look back at the Candid blogs that resonated the most with you this year.

Burnout 105
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Nonprofits Help the Nonreligious Search for Meaning in Their Lives

The Chronicle of Philanthropy

By Emily Haynes Organizations are offering the spiritual care and community that many once found in religion. "This group feels like my church," one participant said.

Nonprofit 126