Following the worst economic downturn in recent history, the human services funding landscape is shifting. For those organizations largely dependent on government support, the situation can be difficult as local municipalities, states and the Federal …

Image by cmpalmer via Flickr

With nonprofits looking at the crucial giving season in the last quarter of a very difficult year, fundraisers are keenly appraising what motivates donors, especially that top of the pyramid group …

Susan wasn’t new to the role of development director. Unfortunately while in this role for the past four years she saw her job expectations increase, the resources did not. When she joined the staff of …

Will an index replace an estimate? That may be the question with the release of Blackbaud’s new Index of Charitable Giving, hot on the heels of this year’s Giving USA estimate of charitable giving in …

Patrick often conducted workshops or training sessions for various types of practitioners.  He did this as part of his affiliation with an educational institution and also as a consultant.  This was an …

 I’m no more fond than most people of being solicited by phone at home, but I must confess that certain callers do keep me on the line longer and a really effective one will succeed …

This book is just what it says, a helpful tool with supportive guides for the average fundraiser who is not necessarily the IT person on the team. Author Bill Connors, not surprisingly, has several years …

The fundraising world has to take notice when new laws impact trillions (yes, trillions) of dollars of the savings of potential donors.
This is exactly the situation with the new 2010 Roth IRA Conversion rules.
Taking a …

Was the fundraising program in danger of being downsized? Was he not needed anymore? Normally an upbeat person, David couldn’t fight the dejection and depression that hit him, and hard. Clearly, he was being marginalized. Maybe it was time to bow out rather than fight unworkable situations.

Joe thought he had approached his new job carefully. He weighed each of the points that seemed mildly alarming or of serious concern, considering whether these presented routine challenges in fundraising, or if they were cause for alarm. Remembering what his mentor had told him about “smoke alarm” situations–the warning signs of a no-win job, of challenging or impossible situations camouflaged as opportunities–he didn’t rush into the job but took his time in discovering as much as he could about what he would face if he accepted the position.

Every summer, Board members, Executive Directors, and major gift prospects hit golf courses across the country in support of their nonprofits of choice. Some events will be more successful than others. How to ensure that your nonprofit’s event will be fun and profitable? Read on!