Blog Posts

Fundraising professionals have a reputation for changing jobs frequently. When a development director leaves after 18 months or a major gifts officer moves to another organization after two years, nonprofit leaders often place blame on the fundraiser. Maybe the better question is: What is happening inside the organization? Research from the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and The Chronicle of Philanthropy found that 51% of fundraisers said they were likely

When I ask prospective nonprofit clients, “What is your budget?” they often don’t know the answer, which doesn’t surprise me. They might be tracking expenses and know which grants have been awarded or the rough number of donations so far., but they aren’t always 100% sure about their total revenue, total expenses, or what running the organization truly costs. Knowing how much money is in the bank is not the same as having a budget. A nonprofit budget is more than a spreadshee

If fundraisers had a crystal ball, planning would be much easier. We would know which donors will renew, which grants will be funded, and which new fundraising idea will work. Unfortunately, my crystal ball is still on backorder. What we do have is data. Current giving patterns offer some useful clues about where fundraising is headed and where nonprofits should focus their attention. More Dollars, But Fewer Donors Here is one trend nonprofits should watch closely. The Associ