2 min read
I don’t have to tell you that crises change donor behavior. You saw it during the COVID-19 pandemic, and you see it anytime there’s a natural disaster, an economic shock, or a humanitarian emergency.
2 min read
What does a frontline fundraiser need to be successful—beyond qualified donors and a compelling offer that aligns with donor passions and interests? I’ve asked that question of managers and...
2 min read
I’ve been thinking a lot about equity in fundraising. Maybe that sounds like a buzzword these days, but it’s a real, structural issue that directly affects whether organizations actually grow. When...
3 min read
Let’s start with a reality every major gift officer eventually runs into: donors leave your caseload. Some pass away. Some change priorities. Some hit a business downturn. At the same time, new...
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3 min read
For decades, fundraising events have been the default answer for many non-profits. Galas, dinners, tastings, lectures, golf outings—every year, organizations pour enormous amounts of staff time,...
3 min read
The look on their face said it all. “You want me to create a strategy for every single donor on my caseload? Are you kidding me?” I’ve seen that look hundreds of times. It’s usually followed by some...
4 min read
If you asked me for the short answer to what fundraisers should focus on this year, I’d say this: have a plan. That’s not easy, but it is simple. And it’s the foundation for everything else I’m going...
3 min read
If you’re working a mid-level, major gifts, or planned giving caseload, the way you communicate with donors matters just as much as how often you do it. Touch points are not busywork. They are one of...
3 min read
On our recent trends webinar, I began by acknowledging the weight many of us are carrying right now. There’s a lot happening in the world—economic uncertainty, policy changes, funding cuts, and the...
2 min read
We've recently talked a lot about resolutions and goals for 2026, but today, I want to suggest what you can do in January that will set the stage for an incredible 2026. Your theme for January should...
2 min read
Don’t let another minute of this new year slip by without taking care of a few critical things in your major gifts caseload management. This is the work that sets the tone for the entire year, and...
3 min read
The non-profit industrial complex is broken. Yes, I could write another book just on that one sentence. There are many reasons why it’s broken, but I’m not going to write a blog as long as a book...
