Fundraising Consulting and Coaching
Charitable giving has always reflected the state of the economy, and 2024 was no different. As the economy outperformed expectations, with the stock market achieving double-digit growth rates, affluent donors played a key role in helping their causes thrive. However, inflation continued to challenge everyday donors, limiting their ability to contribute. This resulted in a […]
Fundraising Forward: Trends and Strategies for 2025 Read More »
The other day, while driving in the city, I pulled over to let a trailer truck pass through a narrow street. As the driver maneuvered his massive vehicle past mine, he flashed the most enthusiastic wave of thanks. That small gesture didn’t just make me smile—it made my day. It was a powerful reminder of
Elevating End-of-Year Fundraising with the Power of Gratitude Read More »
Recently, I received an email from a friend who serves on the board of a local nonprofit. She was looking for advice on how to boost fundraising efforts, as the small-scale initiatives they had relied on for years—like basket raffles and holiday greenery sales—weren’t generating enough revenue anymore.
When Raffles Won’t Cut It: Rethinking Nonprofit Fundraising Strategies Read More »
For over two decades, I’ve had the privilege of working as a fundraising consultant, guiding nonprofit organizations to achieve their missions through strategic philanthropy. While the journey has been deeply rewarding, it’s important to recognize that, like any career, consulting comes with its own set of challenges. Here, I’d like to share some insights into
The Pros and Cons of Being a Fundraising Consultant Read More »
As I shared in Part 1 of my Great Wealth Transfer blog post, we are anticipating a transfer of over $70 trillion in assets over the next 20 to 25 years as the Baby Boomer generation ages. An estimated $12 trillion will be coming to nonprofits in the form of bequests and other planned gifts.
(Author’s Note: This is the first part of a two-part series on the impact of the Great Wealth Transfer on fundraising. Part 2, coming out next month, will focus on planned giving.) We are in the midst of the Great Wealth Transfer. Over the next 20 to 25 years, as the Baby Boomer generation ages,
What the Great Wealth Transfer Means for Your Fundraising Efforts – Part 1 Read More »
Donor advised funds (DAFs) offer flexibility, simplicity and tax advantages, making them a smart choice for donors. According to the National Philanthropic Trust, donor advised funds (DAFs) hold more than $228 billion in assets, and 12% of individual giving dollars now comes from DAFs. DAFs, which allow donors to get the tax write-off immediately, are
Donor Advised Funds – A Trend Fundraisers Should Pay Attention To Read More »
Having gift acceptance policies in place is best practice. But it can take a lot of time to draft policies, and as a fundraiser, you are already overwhelmed with things on your to-do list. Taking policies to your board for approval can lead to long and sometimes unproductive discussions about minute issues in the fundraising
Do I Really Need Gift Acceptance Policies? Read More »
Over the years there has been a lot of debate around whether a feasibility study is needed prior to launching a campaign. There are fundraising consultants who advise their clients against conducting a study – because of the cost, the time involved and the fact that regardless of what the study finds they need to
Start Your Campaign Off Right Read More »
Donor stewardship practices have become much more intentional, strategic and focused. That’s the good news. But according to the most recent report from the Fundraising Effectiveness Project (FEP), overall donor retention rates – which have hovered between 40% and 45% for the last 10 years – are dropping. FEP results also show that donors at
Donor Stewardship: Love Your Donors or Lose Them Read More »