Give and Take

Leverage
Fundraising Strategy
Viken Mikaelian

Importance of Planned Giving: Leverage

Is your charity the nonprofit version of The Titanic?​ It could be if you don’t have a planned giving program. We all know that finding and maintaining sources of funding is a constant challenge. But too many nonprofits focus their time and energy entirely on annual donations. Their fundraisers dodge crisis after crisis, caught in a never-ending storm of annual appeals that just manage to keep the boat afloat.

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Building with communication
For Donors
Joe Garecht

How to Use Your Nonprofit Communications to Build a Better Donor Funnel

When we talk about nonprofit communications, we’re talking about all the different ways to communicate with your donors through the written word: newsletters (both snail mail and e-mail), your website, social media, fundraising letters, e-mail appeals, and everything in between. These types of donor communications are essential to your fundraising program and can be used across all phases of the donor funnel.

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Childhood Cancer Awareness
Fundraising Strategy
Caitlin Fillmore

Sofia’s Hope Knows the Power of Volunteers

A simple social media post changed the trajectory of Miami nonprofit Sofia’s Hope forever. This nonprofit, supporting families navigating childhood cancer and investing in research for pediatric cardio-oncology, received an unexpected major gift. Marta Blanco, the founder who built the organization to honor her daughter’s legacy, credits building their social network and staying laser-focused on their cause with this enduring major gift support and the further giving it has inspired. For the last five years, this major gift partnership has blossomed into an enduring philanthropic partnership, opening big doors for this small nonprofit.

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Silhouette Children Cancer Center
Fundraising Strategy
Caitlin Fillmore

Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley

The Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley hosts thriving special events each year as the major engine of financial support for this small Pennsylvania organization. However with the changes brought by COVID, this nonprofit seeks to diversify its funding and build a major gifts program. Executive Director Michelle Zenie describes her exciting vision for this foundation, including a much-needed capital campaign and plans for board development.

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where does this fit in
Blended Gifts
Viken Mikaelian

Blended Gifts in a Capital Campaign. Where Do They Fit In? 

Blended gifts are growing in popularity. Development pros are beginning to understand how a blended gift can fulfill a donor’s aspirational giving, allowing them to make a much larger gift than they had imagined possible. The current economic climate has resulted in more cautious giving. Donors are taking their time making a large outright gift, which is why using blended gifts during a campaign can be a successful strategy.

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Three people show love heart shape
For Donors
Patrick O'Donnell

31 Quality Questions to Ask Planned Giving and Major Gifts donors and Prospects

Do you struggle to generate exceptional questions for donor interviews? Then struggle no more: This post will show you a guaranteed way to generate thought-provoking interview questions that generate comprehensive, high-quality answers. And the best part is, whether it’s an interview for a donor story, annual report, board report, newsletter story — even a job or candidate interview — all of these skills will translate. Plus, we’ve included 31 sample questions that you can adapt for your next donor interview.

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asking for money and money being handed over
Fundraising Consulting
Viken Mikaelian

The Art & Science of Asking for Money

There’s a difference between being a beggar and a fundraiser. Don’t conflate asking for money with groveling. You’re not demeaning yourself by asking for money. It’s actually a privilege.

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eBook Cover - 25 Ways to Influence Others

25 Ways to Influence Others

Influencing others is a skill that can be learned and developed into an art form. Here are some easy techniques to help you to develop your influence.