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Alumni and Constituent Engagement and Relations
Alumni Engagement Pathways
By Nancy Treser Osgood
During this COVID time of online and digital engagement, alumni and donors are hungering for more personal contacts …
READ MOREEnergize Your Alumni – and Your Fundraising in the Process!
By Myra Garcia
The temptation for under-resourced institutions in financially-strained times is to cut back and retrench across the board. Here …
READ MOREBuilding a Comprehensive Fundraising Program
Talent Management Reimagined
By Richard Tollefson
USE A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN TOP-LEVEL STAFF LESSONS LEARNED: 1. It’s critically important that current …
READ MOREContinuously Sustaining and Growing Your Fundraising Performance In 2021
by Richard L. Tollefson
If there is one key takeaway for philanthropy professionals from 2020, it’s that they have to be prepared …
READ MOREIt is Time to Truly Embrace Donor Advised Funds
by Richard Tollefson and Michal Tyra
A ONCE-MISUNDERSTOOD GIVING TOOL IS PROVING ITS VALUE ANOTHER TOOL FOR CRISIS RESPONSE Donors are investing resources to …
READ MORENeed to Amp Up Your Creativity, Efficiency, and Productivity Fast? Outsource!
By Richard Tollefson and Michal Tyra
IT CAN BE A SURPRISINGLY BUDGET-WISE DECISION CULTURAL ALIGNMENT According to the Nonprofit Committee of New York, hiring …
READ MOREAvoiding the Operational Black Hole
By Richard Tollefson
DEVELOPMENT LEADERS OFTEN TAKE ON TOO MANY OPERATIONAL TASKS, NEGLECTING FUNDRAISING PERSONAL ORGANIZATION TOOLS Nonprofit leaders looking to …
READ MOREOverhead and the Nonprofit
by Richard Tollefson
EXECUTIVES SITTING ON NONPROFIT BOARDS ARE UNIQUELY SUITED TO HELP REFRAME PERCEPTIONS ABOUT NONPROFIT OVERHEAD COSTS HOW TO …
READ MOREBetter Branding = Fundraising Impact
by Richard Tollefson
A GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF BRAND AND MESSAGING CAN BOLSTER A NONPROFIT’S FUNDRAISING EFFORTS MARKETING TOOLS FOR THE NONPROFIT …
READ MOREThe Value of Values-Based Hiring
By Brian Mohr and Richard Tollefson
SETTING ASIDE A CANDIDATE’S RESUME AND JOB DESCRIPTION MAY BE THE BEST STRATEGY FOR NONPROFITS SEEKING THE PERFECT …
READ MORECoaching for Fundraising Success
By Richard Tollefson
FINDING THE RIGHT FUNDRAISING TALENT MAY BE EASIER THAN NONPROFITS THINK — WITH THE RIGHT TRAINING THE BEST …
READ MOREThe Value of Professional Interim Management
By Cassandra Larsen and Deborah Whitehurst
RUSHING TO REPLACE NONPROFIT LEADERSHIP MAY HAVE NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES 5 REASONS TO HIRE A PROFESSIONAL INTERIM LEADER The …
READ MOREThe Real Impact of Impact Investing
By Richard Tollefson
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS LOOKING TO DIVERSIFY THEIR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION’S REVENUE STREAMS MAY WANT TO CONSIDER A SECRET WEAPON: …
READ MORECoffee to Cashflow
By Marc Kellenberger
CORPORATE EXECUTIVES INSPIRE NEW WAYS TO DEVELOP DIVERSIFIED REVENUE SOURCES FOR THE NONPROFIT BOARDS THEY SERVE COFFEE BEANS. …
READ MOREFive Principles of Transformation
by Richard Tollefson
How to transform your organization to achieve lasting impact on our world. How do people and organizations transform …
READ MOREFour Key Strategies for Advancement Success
By Richard Tollefson
Take the time to step back, reflect and reaffirm key strategies for success in the competitive advancement field. …
READ MORECampaign Planning and Management
Silent Phase to Public: When to Announce a Fundraising Campaign
By Richard Tollefson
It’s much more than a percentage of goal raised in advance Fifty percent. Sixty. Ninety… Conventional fundraising wisdom …
READ MOREVisioning, Priority and Goal Setting
By Richard Tollefson
Big bold ideas create transformational change for your nonprofit, your community, and your fundraising Nonprofits that put forward …
READ MOREArt and Science of Fundraising Campaigns
By Richard Tollefson
BOARDS THAT APPLY SCIENCE AND ART TO FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGNS SEE UNEXPECTED HURDLES AS OPPORTUNITIES EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED The …
READ MOREQuiet Does Not Mean Silent
By Richard Tollefson
COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES DURING THE QUIET PHASE OF A CAMPAIGN ARE ACTUALLY ROBUST QUIET TALK How can organizations communicate …
READ MORETransforming the Nonprofit
By Richard Tollefson
MAJOR CAMPAIGNS ARE AMONG THE MOST ENERGIZING AND POSITIVE WAYS TO EFFECT CHANGE ESSENTIAL FIRST STEPS — CAMPAIGN …
READ MORELife After a Campaign
By Richard Tollefson
THE OLD PHILOSOPHY OF ‘BACK TO BUSINESS AS USUAL’ AFTER A CAMPAIGN IS OLD NEWS AVOIDING VOLUNTEER BURN …
READ MOREThe Importance of Market Research
By Richard Tollefson
WHEN NONPROFIT LEADERS EMPLOY MARKET RESEARCH, THE RESULTS ARE OFTEN DRAMATIC The Best Research and Consulting Firms? Reputable …
READ MOREcase study
Communicating with Prospects, Donors, and Key Stakeholders
Transform Mundane Financial Statements into Compelling Stories
By Richard Tollefson
How to Infuse Creativity into your Nonprofit’s Common Reporting Tools Many nonprofit organizations are missing out on a …
READ MORETell me a Story and Capture my Heart
by Richard Tollefson and Michal Tyra
WHAT NONPROFITS CAN LEARN FROM BUSINESS STORYTELLING CHECKLIST Storytelling is the best way to present a business or …
READ MOREThe Most Important Ingredient in Fundraising Success
By Laurel Kimball, Founding Principal
“We are friend-raising, not fundraising.” So my first fundraising boss always reminded us. We are friend-raising, not fundraising.” …
READ MOREThe Challenge is Never the Ask
By Stephen Zastrow
In our rush to hit financial goals, are we straying from what’s most important: developing genuine relationships? When …
READ MORECulture of Philanthropy
A Strong Culture of Philanthropy = Financial Success
By Richard Tollefson
Nonprofits with strong giving cultures are more likely to succeed You know you have a strong culture of …
READ MORECreating a Culture of Philanthropy
By Peter Smits and Richard Tollefson
WHILE MANY NONPROFITS IDENTIFY AS HAVING A STRONG CULTURE OF PHILANTHROPY, RESEARCH REVEALS THE CONCEPT IS MISUNDERSTOOD VOLUNTEERS …
READ MORECultivating Your Culture of Philanthropy
By Peter Smits
Everyone in your organization plays an important role in this ongoing process, starting at the top – with …
READ MOREFundraising Roles, Responsibilities, and Partnerships
Do Donors Really Care About 100% Board Participation in Giving?
By Richard Tollefson
You Bet They Do! Many prospective donors, when determining if, how much, or when to make a major …
READ MORESuccessfully Navigate the Transition into a VP or Chief Development Officer Role
By Richard Tollefson
When a long-time major gift officer, annual fund manager or advancement services director steps into their first chief …
READ MOREFundraising vs. Finance
By Richard Tollefson
Change the Dynamics to Build Organizational Strength Friction between a nonprofit’s fundraising and finance teams is not uncommon, …
READ MOREOptimizing the Role of the CEO in Fundraising
By Richard Tollefson and Michal Tyra
SPIRIT MATTERS CEO Key in Fundraising Collaborative Leadership is the term for leadership that is generated and sustained …
READ MOREWho Manages Endowment
By Deborah Whitehurst
NONPROFITS MAY FIND PARTNERSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS AND INVESTMENT COUNSELORS FRUITFUL FOR THEIR ENDOWMENTS QUESTIONS TO ASK A …
READ MOREKnowing and Doing: The Board Member’s Key Responsibilities
By Deborah Whitehurst
NONPROFIT BOARD MEMBERS MUST KNOW THEIR ORGANIZATION FIRST, AND ACT SECOND BEING A BOARD MEMBER — like being …
READ MOREWhy are Good Fundraisers Hard to Find?
By Laurel Kimball
The best fundraisers possess two key characteristics – the problem is, they are not often found in the …
READ MOREIssues and Trends in Fundraising
Philanthropic Resilience Compromised by Inflation
By Richard Tollefson
Even with 2022 GDP growth and historically low unemployment While economic uncertainty and stock market volatility have influenced …
READ MOREFundraising Success for Complex Social Issues
By Richard Tollefson
Transform challenging social issues into effective fundraising opportunities Fundraising for Our Most Complex Social Issues Inspiring donors and …
READ MOREFueled by Economic Recovery, Giving in 2021 Reaches A New High
By Richard Tollefson
But the wealth divide grows Strong increases in individual, foundation and corporate giving summarize the key philanthropy trends …
READ MOREThe Future of Philanthropy – Next-Gen Nonprofit Leaders Speak Out on Philanthropy, Governance, and Social Change
By Richard Tollefson
Social change champions help today’s nonprofits adapt for leadership change A new era of philanthropy, nonprofit governance, and …
READ MOREKeys to Success with Institutional Donors and Government Funding
By Richard Tollefson
Several trends in institutional and government funding are emerging that can have significant impacts on nonprofits – if …
READ MORERecord Giving Reaches $471 Billion. What Does it Mean for 2021?
By Richard Tollefson
Opportunities persist when organizations pursue them While a strong year-end stock market and record giving in response to …
READ MOREHow the University of La Verne Achieved Fundraising Success Despite Pandemic
By Richard L. Tollefson
Quick action by a fearless and talented fundraising president and her team helped the University of La Verne …
READ MOREVirtual Events: Embrace the Opportunities
by Jeri Kendle
STRATEGIES TO MAXIMIZE RETURN ON THIS FUNDRAISING VEHICLE There are many advantages to a virtual fundraiser. Nonprofits may …
READ MOREBest Communications and Fundraising Practices During COVID-19
By Richard Tollefson
LESSONS FOR TODAY AND FOR THE FUTURE Remember to celebrate resiliency and generosity. American donors are amazingly resilient. …
READ MOREThe Changing Nature of America’s Donors
By Richard Tollefson and Michal Tyra
AND CHALLENGES TO OVERCOME While the advice and counsel in this month’s article is meant to provide practical …
READ MORECommunicate the Transformative Impact with Social Return on Investment
By Richard Tollefson and Michal Tyra
INTRIGUED BY THE POSSIBILITIES OF SROI? There are several resources available to help get started. The Alliance of …
READ MOREThe New Tax Law
By Richard Tollefson and Michal Tyra
AND WHY YOUR NONPROFIT SHOULDN’T BE TOO CONCERNED “Givers make their largest gifts in support of ideas in …
READ MOREIt’s Not Just Checkbook Giving Anymore
By Richard Tollefson
UNDERSTANDING THE VARIED WAYS IN WHICH TODAY’S INDIVIDUAL DONORS GIVE CAN BENEFIT BOTH NONPROFITS AND THEIR DONORS INDIVIDUAL …
READ MOREP3s Partnering for the Future
By Cassandra Larsen
CORPORATE EXECUTIVES SITTING ON NONPROFIT BOARDS MIGHT CONSIDER A NEW TOOL TO SUSTAIN THEIR ORGANIZATIONS AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES: …
READ MOREOrganizational Strength
Balancing Fundraising for Short-Term Needs and Long-Term Strength
By Richard Tollefson
Did you know? • The Federal CARES Act provided $377 billion for financial assistance to small businesses—generally including …
READ MOREPublic Private Partnerships
by Cassandra Larsen
P3: An equation that works PPP, P3, and P3 may seem like complicated algebra problems that leave you …
READ MOREReplacing a Star Player
by Stephen Zastrow
the question is the same in nonprofits and professional baseball. When a ten-year veteran player leaves, does management …
READ MOREOther
6 Creative Ways to Nurture Tax-Credit Donors to Give Continuously
by Richard L. Tollefson
Arizona has several tax credit programs that benefit taxpayers and nonprofit organizations alike. Two of the most popular benefit …
READ MOREEngaging a Fundraising Consultant – the Why and the How
By Richard Tollefson and Michal Tyra
ENGAGING THE RIGHT CONSULTANT IS ONE OF THE BEST DECISIONS AN ORGANIZATION CAN MAKE. ENGAGING THE WRONG ONE …
READ MOREUsher Gratitude into the New Year
By Cassandra Larsen and Deborah Whitehurst
THANKFULNESS OFFERS HEALTH BENEFITS TO BOARD MEMBERS AND THE NONPROFITS THEY SERVE GETTING GOOD AT GRATITUDE Gratitude — …
READ MORELeading and Elevating Arizona
By Laurel Kimball
ARIZONA LEADERSHIP FORUM DRAWS CORPORATE, NONPROFIT, PHILANTHROPIC AND GOVERNMENT LEADERS TO DISCUSS CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FACING THE STATE …
READ MORE“Merger” is not a Dirty Word
by Marc Kellenberger
Done right, a merger or acquisition between two nonprofits can mean greater services delivered to more people in …
READ MOREPresidents Corner
Cultivating a Culture of Civility and Meaningful Dialogue on Campus During Elections
By Devorah Lieberman
READ MORE
Strategic Presidential Leadership, Thriving Communities, and Vital Conditions
By Dr. Devorah Lieberman
READ MOREProspect Development and Engagement
Cultivating the Generosity of Seasonal Residents
By Richard Tollefson
Mobile philanthropists do invest in second-home communities As people become more mobile, so does their attitude toward giving. …
READ MORECapacity, Propensity, and Readiness – Three Key Elements in Fundraising Success
By Richard Tollefson
Have any of these scenarios ever happened to you? A Board member forwards an article about a local …
READ MOREProspect Research on a Budget
By Whitney Fulton
Prospect research is vital to fundraising success and organizational sustainability – and it doesn’t have to be expensive. …
READ MOREBeyond People and Place – to Purpose
By Richard Tollefson and Michal Tyra
ENGAGING ASPIRATIONAL AND TRANSFORMATIONAL DONORS Want to pursue aspirational and transformational donors? It starts with an organization-wide culture …
READ MORECultivating Mobile Philanthropists
By Richard Tollefson
HIGH-NET-WORTH, SEASONAL COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE KEY TO FUNDRAISING DISPELLING SEASONAL RESIDENT MYTHS Assuming that philanthropically minded people aren’t …
READ MOREDiscovering Great Donors
By Richard Tollefson
EXECUTIVES SITTING ON NONPROFIT BOARDS PLAY A KEY ROLE IN IDENTIFYING DONOR PROSPECTS, BUT THAT’S JUST THE BEGINNING …
READ MOREStrategic Planning
Measuring Success
By Dr. Wayne Parker
THE VALUE OF EVALUATION “Nonprofits who take a proactive approach to evaluation and outcomes reporting are more prepared …
READ MOREPowerful Strategic Planning
By Deborah Whitehurst
EXECUTIVES SITTING ON NONPROFIT BOARDS OFTEN ARE LESS THAN ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT STRATEGIC PLANNING RETREATS, BUT SHOULD EMBRACE THEIR …
READ MOREMake no Little Plans
By Terry Jones
Today’s nonprofit leaders can learn from history’s “big dreamers” by focusing on their organization’s important “why” While visiting …
READ MOREVolunteer Leadership Development and Engagement
Harnessing the Power of Volunteers
By Laurel Kimball
EXECUTIVES SITTING ON NONPROFIT BOARDS SHOULD CONSIDER VOLUNTEERS AS A WAY TO AID THE NONPROFIT’S CAUSE AND CASH …
READ MOREThe Nonprofit Board: Financial and Legal Best Practices
by Marc Kellenberger
ALTHOUGH THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT TOOK EFFECT MORE THAN A DECADE AGO, NONPROFIT BOARD MEMBERS MAY BE FEELING ITS …
READ MOREKnowing and Doing: The Board Member’s Key Responsibilities
by Deborah Whitehurst
NONPROFIT BOARD MEMBERS MUST KNOW THEIR ORGANIZATION FIRST, AND ACT SECOND BEING A BOARD MEMBER — like being …
READ MOREShared Leadership
by Richard Tollefson
TODAY’S GOVERNING BOARDS AND NONPROFIT CEOS WORK TOGETHER TO STRENTHEN SOCIAL IMPACT “The challenge for nonprofits often comes …
READ MOREMentoring to Build a Better Board
by Deborah Whitehurst
Recruiting an outstanding individual is just the start of creating an effective nonprofit board member and a well-functioning …
READ MOREVolunteers’ Wheel of Philanthropy
by Laurel Kimball
“Best practices” is a management term for optimal tactics and strategies. They do not guarantee success, but rather …
READ MORESearch
Categories
- Alumni and Constituent Engagement and Relations
- Building a Comprehensive Fundraising Program
- Campaign Planning and Management
- case study
- Communicating with Prospects, Donors, and Key Stakeholders
- Culture of Philanthropy
- Fundraising Roles, Responsibilities, and Partnerships
- Issues and Trends in Fundraising
- Organizational Strength
- Other
- Presidents Corner
- Prospect Development and Engagement
- Strategic Planning
- Volunteer Leadership Development and Engagement