Clairification

JUNE 12, 2025

June 13 th marks the 12 th anniversary of the Clairity Click-it Newsletter. That’s 338 issues (whoa!), all chock full of resources I hand select for you from across the web. And nothing I select will cost you a dime! But why stop here? No questions asked. No judgement. I want to help.

IT 167

IT Nonprofit Education 167

Millionaire Grant Lady

DECEMBER 2, 2024

Current and potential MGL clients often ask me, “ If we are selected, how long will it take to get the grant money? ” I can empathize with their impatience and frustration, especially after completing such a long application preparation process. The time it takes to receive funds depends greatly on the type of grant you are pursuing.

Grants 130

Grants Grant IT Federal Grants 130

Clairification

NOVEMBER 14, 2024

One that will again call upon our sector to do the hard work of healing our individual and collective wounds, mending the fissures in our communities, and holding us accountable to our stated values. And to do that, it’s going to be absolutely critical that nonprofits are really, really strong – from the inside out.

IT 218

IT Nonprofit Template Funding 218

Clairification

APRIL 10, 2025

Survival Depends on Collective Commitment and Deep Support Too often, fundraising is relegated to an administrative function rather than a mission-central function. Its viewed as a necessary evil. As a result, either no one embraces it as central to their job description, or someone is hired and shunted off to a corner to do the dirty work.

IT 157

IT Fundraising Nonprofit Management 157

Pamela Grow

MAY 29, 2025

A recent message from one of my most successful students a woman whos delivered flat-out outstanding results at three separate organizations stopped me cold: Ive come to the conclusion that fundraising isnt what I want to do anymore I just cant do this anymore. I have no passion for it. Shes not alone. This isnt just a retention problem.

IT 130

IT Fundraising Burnout Nonprofit 130

Hands-On Fundraising

MAY 6, 2025

Every time I hear a frustrated fundraiser talk about donors who aren’t giving, that lyric pops into my head. (In In case you don’t know, it’s thanks to Steven Patrick Morrissey and Johnny Marr, of course). I know it’s human nature to look around for someone to blame when things don’t go as planned.

IT 157

IT Fundraising 157

Blackbaud

DECEMBER 12, 2024

It was a client kickoff call like so many others. After we made introductions, I asked about their donor CRM, jotting notes as they shared their hopes, frustrations, and data woes. As their list of frustrations grew and their unfulfilled hopes piled up, they asked me if I thought it was time to change to another donor CRM. See the lookbook!

CRM 105

CRM IT Budget Training 105

The Fundraiser Coach

MAY 11, 2025

This next step in the B.R.I.D.G.E. framework is about how you Guide the Conversation —in a way that honors the donor, deepens engagement, and keeps the door open. What Does It Mean to “Guide”? That conversation became the start of a deeper, more aligned philanthropic journey.

IT 130

IT Proposal Fundraising Nonprofit 130

The Chronicle of Philanthropy

MAY 12, 2025

Growing into one of the most powerful institutions in global health, the foundation drew acclaim and criticism. By Thalia Beaty, Associated Press Seth Wenig, AP photo Bill Gates, Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett speak to the media during a press conference in 2006 in New York.

Conference 106

Conference IT Media 106

Candid

MAY 27, 2025

Our boards unanimous decision to tap into our endowment to make this investment isnt business as usual. Its a deliberate response to mounting challenges against nonprofits and the fundamental freedoms they work to protect and represent: the freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and freedom of the press.

IT 64

IT Manufacturing Education Grants 64

Think and Ink Grants

APRIL 16, 2025

Over the weekend, while many Americans were cheering on their kids at soccer games or tuning into their favorite sports teams, something major happened in the world of federal fundingquietly and without much public fanfare.

Federal Grants 116

Federal Grants Grants.Gov Grants Grant 116

NonProfit PRO

JUNE 10, 2025

The past several months have been challenging for nonprofits, so NonProfit PRO spoke with experts on what nonprofits can do to set themselves up for success.

IT 97

IT Nonprofit Strategic Plan 97

Ann Green's Nonprofit

NOVEMBER 18, 2024

Beginning in 2012, Giving Tuesday has taken place the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. This year it will be on December 3. I’m not going to tell you whether or not you should participate in Giving Tuesday. Perhaps you’re planning to participate for the first time. And, you don’t want your messages to resemble spam. This is where it often falls short.

Donation 305

Donation Media Policy Policies 305

Ann Green's Nonprofit

JANUARY 6, 2025

Ideally, you should communicate with your donors at least once or twice a month throughout the year. I know that might sound impossible, but it will be much easier if you put together a communications calendar (also known as an editorial calendar). For the rest of you, here are some suggestions to help you get started.

Calendar 298

Calendar Media Fundraising Goals 298

Clairification

NOVEMBER 4, 2024

And when you don’t make it easy for donors to choose to support your charity, you inevitably make it easy for them to choose not to. This is where I ask you how you view your role. Are you a philanthropy facilitator or a fundraiser? And why, do you think, making this distinction might matter? And people are giving. But… guess what? Lots of it.

Publishing 271

Publishing Fundraising Media IT 271

The Chronicle of Philanthropy

JUNE 13, 2025

Brenda Solórzano argues that the protests against ICE raids have been mischaracterized for political purposes and to sow fear among Latinos. Her health and racial equity foundation is granting more and faster. By Alex Daniels Tiffany Williams Brenda Solórzano says the California Endowment is trying to find ways to turn grants around in a day.

IT 83

IT Grants Grant 83

Clairification

NOVEMBER 25, 2024

Studies show one-fourth of all charitable giving happens in December. For some organizations (maybe yours?), it’s as much as one-third. Year-end fundraising is not chopped chicken liver! Specific solution you’re proposing to address the problem – with your donor’s help. Describe the problem.

Proposal 282

Proposal Readiness Fundraising IT 282

Ann Green's Nonprofit

JANUARY 13, 2025

Happy New Year!Its Its hard to believe its already 2025. I hope 2024 was a successful year for your nonprofit organization. If it wasnt, you can work to make 2025 a better year. And if you were successful, you want that to continue. Many individuals make New Years resolutions and set goals. Your nonprofit should do the same. Even gifts of $5.00

Calendar 294

Calendar Nonprofit Finance Goals 294

Clairification

FEBRUARY 27, 2025

No matter your politics, this is crisis time for many nonprofits who rely on federal grants and loans (about 30% of all charities ). It’s also crisis time for the beneficiaries of many nonprofits, who are scared, stressed, depressed and otherwise at loose ends due to the rapidly changing environment. Or the other shoe is about to drop.

Federal Grants 248

Federal Grants Nonprofit Readiness Fundraising 248

Clairification

APRIL 7, 2025

I recently received a prickly thank you letter that made my blood boil. Not because it was so bad, but because it wasnt good. It didnt make me want to renew my support. And thats unforgiveable. Because the point of the first gift is to get a second one. Otherwise, donor acquisition costs you more than you make.

Nonprofit 244

Nonprofit Donation IT 244

Ann Green's Nonprofit

JANUARY 20, 2025

Giving Tuesday is the worst example of this, with Year End close behind. Generally, it happens way too often. Remember this Building relationships is just as important as raising money. The concept of relationship fundraising has been around for a while, even though its not always implemented. The two go together. That includes fundraising appeals.

Donation 173

Donation Electronics Fundraising IT 173

Ann Green's Nonprofit

MARCH 24, 2025

You may think youre practicing donor engagement by sending thank you letters and newsletters, but is the content actually engaging? Its often formulaic and just downright dull. Many nonprofits send all their donors the same appeal and thank you letters. It sounds obvious, but your donor engagement should be engaging. Your donors deserve better.

Template 181

Template CRM IT Fundraising 181

Ann Green's Nonprofit

MARCH 17, 2025

Right now were dealing with cuts in federal funding, tariffs, a plunging stock market, etc, which are creating constant chaos for us. Both your nonprofit and your donors may be feeling financially strained. Acquiring new donors is more expensive than keeping the ones you already have, so its important for you to keep track of your retention rate.

CRM 169

CRM Calendar Donation Fundraising 169

Ann Green's Nonprofit

APRIL 21, 2025

We also have email, the internet, and social media, just to name a few. Its not only the volume of options, its also the content. And in our current climate of crisis and uncertainty, its information overload on steroids. How does your nonprofit organization compete with all this? But in this deluge of information, they might miss your messages.

Electronics 173

Electronics Nonprofit Media Metrics 173

Ann Green's Nonprofit

MAY 19, 2025

Whether youre setting up your website or improving an existing one, explore best practices for promoting your nonprofit online effectively in this guide. By Carl Diesing Your website is an essential tool in your online marketing kit. As a small nonprofit, you may have created a website but not had the bandwidth to flesh it out and optimize it fully.

Engineering 169

Engineering Nonprofit Donation Calendar 169

Ann Green's Nonprofit

DECEMBER 4, 2024

Start with a special thank you According to fundraising expert, Dr. Adrian Sargeant, “The thank you is the single most important piece of communication that your donors get. They have a higher recall of it than the appeal that generated the gift.” Keep that in mind, especially for your new donors. Welcome your new donors.

Donation 211

Donation Electronics CRM Budget 211

Ann Green's Nonprofit

JUNE 10, 2025

They humanize your work, turn statistics into human-driven stories, and can help transform one-time donors into long-term supporters. When donors have the opportunity to see and hear the real-world impact of their giving and meet the people whose lives have been changed because of their contributions, it cultivates a deeper sense of purpose.

Fundraising 156

Fundraising Template Education Conference 156

Ann Green's Nonprofit

JANUARY 27, 2025

If your organization doesnt have a monthly/recurring giving program or its fairly small, why is that? Whether youre a big or a smaller organization or your fundraising went well last year or it didnt, monthly giving makes so much sense (or cents). In short, you need to go all in on monthly giving. Political candidates do it all the time.

Donation 173

Donation Electronics AI Fundraising 173

Ann Green's Nonprofit

FEBRUARY 18, 2025

Now you have a dilemma. Organizations need to share accomplishments and show gratitude to their donors, but is the annual report the best way to do that? First, lets stop calling it an annual report and call it an impact or gratitude report instead. In this post, Ill use the term impact report (but dont forget about gratitude).

Nonprofit 169

Nonprofit Electronics Utilities Grants 169

Ann Green's Nonprofit

OCTOBER 30, 2024

Showing some appreciation to your donors right now can help you raise more money for your year-end campaign (or any campaign). It will also make it more likely your donors will give again. Francesca Gino from the Harvard Business School calls this the Gratitude Effect. You’re never too busy to thank your donors. to express gratitude.

Donation 165

Donation Media Fundraising Readiness 165

Hands-On Fundraising

NOVEMBER 26, 2024

If you’re a fundraiser, part of your calling is spreading gratitude. Does this sound like a familiar exchange? Thank you!” “No, No, thank YOU!” Saying thank you is an expected part of our social discourse. It smooths the way for simple – and more complex – conversations.

Fundraising 274

Fundraising IT 274

Clairification

MAY 19, 2025

In a world filled with urgent headlines and heart-wrenching crises, its easy for fundraisers to wonder if their cause stands a chance of breaking through the noise. Especially when they’re not rescuing animals, feeding hungry people, or fighting the types of injustices leading the news cycle. But relevance isnt reserved for emergencies.

Fundraising 167

Fundraising IT 167

Ann Green's Nonprofit

APRIL 14, 2025

Theyre too long and filled with boring articles that brag about how wonderful the organization is. A newsletter is a vital part of the ask, thank report, repeat formula and you cant just go on autopilot. The good news is that its possible to create a better, engaging newsletter your donors will want to read and wont put them to sleep.

Nonprofit 173

Nonprofit Template Award IT 173

Pamela Grow

MAY 1, 2025

Thank you for the years of support, thank you for the kind words, thank you for the love, and thank you for the care you have given to Ten Oaks.* No slick design. Just deep, personal gratitude the kind that doesnt feel automated or generalized. Its one voice speaking to another, with purpose and love. And you can feel it. That metaphor?

AI 148

AI Donation Fundraising IT 148

Get Fully Funded

FEBRUARY 10, 2025

Fortunately, when it comes to the structure of a Letter of Inquiry, you dont have to guess at what is required. Sometimes the funder will tell you exactly what they want, and they might even provide a sample. As you do that, consider why the funder uses a Letter of Inquiry. That would simple take too long. So make it count! That, alone, is powerful.

Letter Of Inquiry 98

Letter Of Inquiry LOI Grants Grant 98

The Fundraiser Coach

JANUARY 20, 2025

Sometimes without even realizing it, fundraisers stop staying in touch with the donor, leaving the donor feeling unappreciated and disconnected from the mission they just supported. Philanthropy is a sacred proposition based on trust, and there are no shortcuts to trust." Now I'm moving on.” ” Why does transactional fundraising happen?

Fundraising 147

Fundraising Metrics Burnout Goals 147

Clairification

FEBRUARY 3, 2025

The major gift journey is a synergistic one. You see, its both your journey and your donors journey. If you want to follow along the most direct pathway to sustainable philanthropy, youll want to consider the two-fold nature of the expeditious endeavor known as major gift fundraising. Or, as I prefer to call it, passionate philanthropy.

Goals 157

Goals Fundraising IT 157