Philanthropists’ programme officers browse countless proposals from charities. Rachel Stephenson Sheff is a fundraising and philanthropy adviser at IG Advisors, where she represents the foundations of two philanthropists. She started her career as a fundraiser but going through applications to help clients decide where to put their money is a whole new ball game. So … Continue reading How to get your charity’s funding application to the top of the pile
The Enemy Within – why the narrative about universities and students went so wrong
The headlines about universities over the last year have been tough to read. They reveal a sad truth. That the higher education sector, for all its strengths, has lost its ability to tell a coherent story about itself. The sector and its leadership are now suffering a collective crisis of moral authority, a crisis of … Continue reading The Enemy Within – why the narrative about universities and students went so wrong
A seven-step approach to problem solving with your team
A colleague walks into your office and says, “We have a big problem…”, as the leader often the desire is to jump into action and get the problem solved as quickly as possible. The key to success is to step back and immediately begin a seven-step process which will help you to gain detailed understanding … Continue reading A seven-step approach to problem solving with your team
The fundraising paradox
If Our Donors Aren’t Listening, Are We Really Communicating? With the relative ease and low-cost of online communication, many nonprofits have more messages directed at prospects and donors than ever before. But it is generally estimated that donors and prospects see more than 5,000 marketing messages a day: “Buy this soft drink. These are the … Continue reading The fundraising paradox
Nonprofit Newsletters Donors Abhor
Donor newsletters are a great stewardship tool, if employed correctly. However, they don't always contain the content donors are looking for or arrive at the right time. Here, Claire Axelrad shares her top tips for sending your newsletter to the next level. https://bloomerang.co/blog/nonprofit-newsletters-donor-abhor/
Why Creating Donor Engagement Opportunities Boosts Fundraising
Just because I care about something, and somehow learn you are involved in doing something about that thing, doesn’t mean I’m going to support you financially. Why should I? There are a lot of good causes out there, and making a decision to invest in you is something I need to act on. I’m busy. … Continue reading Why Creating Donor Engagement Opportunities Boosts Fundraising
21 Online Fundraising Ideas
One of the challenges that nonprofits face when fundraising is finding unique ways to connect to donors and inspire giving. While simply asking can accomplish much, making donating fun does a lot more. Coming up with fundraising ideas isn’t always easy. So here is Michelle Frechettee with a dozen ideas to consider to help grow … Continue reading 21 Online Fundraising Ideas
Alumni Relations Forecast 2020: Relevance Rules
The alumni relations field today is in a good place: institutions have never been so consistently strategic, outcomes-based and intentional in their approach to alumni engagement. A growing business-oriented discipline toward strategy and programming has contributed to the rise in the stature of alumni relations as a more vital and respected institutional asset. Alumni professionals … Continue reading Alumni Relations Forecast 2020: Relevance Rules
Why sincere is better than clever
In this brilliant blog, Mary Cahalane shares mistakes she made early on in her career and what she learnt from them. Mary closes her blog with this brilliant quote, which I absolutely love...: "Writing to your donors isn’t about you or your organization. Writing to your donors is about your donors. "Give them a problem … Continue reading Why sincere is better than clever
The Twelve Appeals of the Year
This blog by Mark Phillips from Bullfrog Fundraising Limited was written just before Christmas but holds up just as well as we return to work in 2020 - an excellent time for a little retrospection. What are we proud of? What’s great? What (or who) has been a right pain? And how’s the fundraising profession … Continue reading The Twelve Appeals of the Year
Propper Fundraising 