The world of nonprofit fundraising changed dramatically in the last eighteen months. We’ve detailed many of these shifts, and the lessons learned from them, in the recently-published The State of Nonprofit Fundraising report. As nonprofits were forced to postpone, and often cancel, their large, in-person fundraising galas, something else took its place: the virtual event…. Read More »
Whether it’s rock, pop, or country, a band is trained to work harmoniously together to create a beautiful piece of music. But what happens when an unexpected change in the composition throws off the harmony of what’s being played? Hosting a fundraiser is similar to leading a band. Just as a conductor raises his baton… Read More »
One of the most difficult tasks in fundraising is also the most important: asking for money. Some fundraisers find discussing money to be uncomfortable or impolite. It’s been especially awkward in the past year, as the pandemic triggered more and more nonprofits to reach out to donors for help, and those donors began to feel… Read More »
In our recent State of Nonprofit Fundraising report, we found that most nonprofit organizations had to postpone or cancel at least one fundraising event in the pandemic. Many adapted by holding virtual, online-only fundraising events. Hybrid Events: The Best of Live and Virtual An important finding emerged from the State of Nonprofit Fundraising report—nonprofits were… Read More »
When an unpredictable, sudden change in planning sweeps you up and carries you away, it’s important to stay flexible and ready to act. Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) Houston, the largest, one-to-one mentoring agency in the country, found those same qualities served them well last year when they needed to quickly switch from hosting their… Read More »
Top issues facing nonprofit organizations today. Last year, we conducted a survey of hundreds of nonprofit organizations across North America to find out what challenges they encountered in 2020, how they handled those challenges, and what they see for their organization in the future. You can read the report and its revelatory findings here: The… Read More »
There are several points during the year when donors expect to interact with a nonprofit they support —the lead up to an event or the conclusion of a major project, for example—but choosing to only be in contact with your donor community during those special moments may be undercutting your efforts to deepen relationships with… Read More »
Virtual Events in a Post-COVID Future The onset of COVID-19—and the resulting restrictions on large gatherings—necessitated a very quick pivot away from traditional fundraising galas and in-person events. Nonprofits were presented with a choice: no events at all, or figure out how to hold one virtually so guests could participate from any device, anywhere they… Read More »
Nonprofits are masters at creating new and inventive ways to fundraise every year. For many, that involves a combination of income sources that, together, make up their funding model. A funding model is defined as the methodical and institutionalized approach to bring in revenue to support an organization’s core programs and initiatives. Most funding models… Read More »
Whether it’s sending out an ask, an update on a project, or a thank you letter, a nonprofit’s message isn’t effective unless it reaches the right donor at the right time. Reaching out to a selected group of donors can sometimes miss the mark and not make it to the intended audience. Understanding the basics… Read More »