INDUSTRY INSIGHTS YOUR PEERS ARE READING
I get it. You’re committed to making a difference in the world. You love you what you do and you’re good at it. But you struggle with finding the right balance between your work and having a fulfilling personal life. MORE
Using analytical, data-driven insights enables you to reinvent the way your institution operates. Most academic institutions understand how enormous this opportunity is. The challenge is in implementing this transformation across every department on campus. MORE
It’s no secret that turnover is a known evil for many social good organizations. What may be less obvious are the reasons why. MORE
Tax-exempt organizations have seen significant changes to financial accounting and reporting standards in recent years. Implementing new standards can be challenging, but the cost of noncompliance can be devastating: a tarnished reputation, loss of funding, or even revocation of exempt status. MORE
Many of us remember going to the video store to rent a movie. How about the calculator that used to sit in the junk drawer in your kitchen? Everybody has one of those drawers, right?) How about getting directions from a friend for driving to a new place or printing them out from MapQuest? MORE
As a nonprofit leader myself, I know how frequently social sector organizations are strapped for capacity. MORE
Donor acquisition is all the rage, but did you know nearly 3 out of 4 new donors leave and never come back. I’d stay that’s pretty stinky, wouldn’t you? Blackbaud’s latest Charitable Giving Report sheds light on the importance of donor retention in the nonprofit industry. MORE
Churches Buy T oilet P aper ! . In my last blog post , “ Churches and Engagement (But Not Weddings): Tips for Engaging Each Generation , ” we discussed engagement , the first step in fundraising with in the church. MORE
Everyone knows that social media has a massive impact on today’s culture, so how can social good organizations effectively leverage it to engage supporters? What does your organization need to do to execute an effective social media strategy? MORE
#GivingTuesday is the largest global day of giving and it’s fast approaching. According to GivingTuesday.org, over $300 million was raised online in 2017, totaling 2.5 million gifts. This philanthropic effort continues to grow, especially across all social media efforts. MORE
What do finance and development have in common? A goal to keep the organization on the path to successfully fulfilling its mission. So, it’s critical that finance and development are aligned both on the goal and on the path they’ll take to getting there. MORE
How’s the morale in your office? Are your staff members excited to work together? Or are you plagued with high turnover? How your staff feel about their work affects your bottom line, as donors and volunteers are turned off by a revolving door of staff members. MORE
In the Blackbaud Institute’s report, The Right Mix , Anne Wallestad spoke about the Measuring Fundraising Effectiveness framework that quantifies the risk associated with a lack of diversification in fundraising. MORE
Prior to working at Blackbaud, I spent 10 years working in annual giving. I’m embarrassed to admit that it hadn’t occurred to me in those years that all my work in annual giving was really direct marketing. MORE
This article is the first installment of a four-part series examining digital challenges and opportunities for nonprofits in 2018. Let’s start with the big question: is Facebook worth it? MORE
We’ve all heard the saying “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” Have you ever tried? It’s a myth. You sure can! New forms of games or play can actually provide more happiness and longevity in a dog’s later years. MORE
Last month marked the inaugural meeting of a new benchmarking group created specifically to analyze and discuss trends in athletics giving [1]. MORE
One of the most important things for a brand is good web design. Your higher education institution likely has several goals and requirements in mind when building and maintaining your website. MORE
Many of the companies we work with at Common Impact host a “day of service” as a way to give back to their local communities. Days of service are one of the most popular corporate volunteer programs. MORE
Annual giving and major giving teams traditionally experience a bit of competition over donors. MORE
In our last npENGAGE post , we shared some advice for establishing a trusting corporate volunteer relationship that results in not only great project outcomes, but also sets the foundation for a successful long term partnership. MORE
In my last article, “ Communicating Your Church’s Financial Needs ,” we discussed the second step to fundraising in church, explaining financial needs and spending. In my final blog post in this series, we’ll delve into step three, showing appreciation and impact. MORE
Have you ever signed up to get email updates from 152 Canadian charities? What about receive, read, and analyze 1,234 emails from those organizations? Or how about make $25 donations to each and every single one of those 152 charities? MORE
As you start planning messaging and emails for Giving Tuesday, spread a little love to your donation forms too. Below I will outline the five tips that can help you stand out from the crowd on a day like Giving Tuesday but are also good enhancements for your everyday forms. MORE
The digital world has opened a new range of possibilities for higher education institutions as they look to connect with alumni and other prospective donors. MORE
When it comes to advocacy, it feels silly to say that the most important thing is reaching the right folks with the right message at the right time, but it’s the truth. The key lies in the nuances of doing so effectively. MORE
It is not a secret that nonprofits need volunteers and donors to achieve their goals and carry out their mission. The question is, is your organization focusing on the volunteer base that you already have? Many nonprofits do not know that the line between their volunteers and donors is very thin. MORE
My family attends church in an older building which is in dire need of some major updates. We even joke about the fear of using the upstairs restroom because the lights flicker and the floor is crooked and cracked. MORE
From another record-breaking #GivingTuesday to the power of women’s philanthropy, 2018 has been a year replete with new movements and all-time highs. Take a look below to discover the Blackbaud Institute’s top trends that reverberated across the social good sector this year. MORE
“Hello Susan, it’s good to see you,” said the member of Congress at the sight of the constituent walking into his Capitol Hill office. “So, So, what bill will I end up cosponsoring for you today?”. You might think Susan was a wealthy donor or perhaps a significant employer in the Member’s district. MORE
It’s so easy to get caught in the day-to-day of our jobs and think of “professional development” as something that only happens at work or that requires a lot of extra time or money (or both). MORE
Digital transformation may sound like a buzzword, but the reality is that it fundamentally changes the way organizations operate and innovate. MORE
Higher education advancement teams from around the country are noticing that alumni participation is shrinking, even as donations and commitments from a small group of big donors has grown. MORE
We all know people will reward companies they believe are good corporate citizens. Yet, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the “ halo effect ” of community involvement is no longer a given for companies that give back. MORE
Thankfully, there’s been an email marketing paradigm shift in recent years. It used to be that, above all, size mattered. How many emails are on your list, bro?” As with many other areas of work and life, we’ve collectively come to realize the value of quality over quantity. MORE
As a nonprofit business, advancing your organization’s unique mission is the primary goal. The success of the communities you serve is inextricably linked to the organization’s success, and as such, you work tirelessly to deliver relevant, timely, and effective services. MORE
Learn how to grow your supporter lists and tend your supporter “garden” by keeping lists engaged, bringing wilting supporters back to life and cleaning out the weeds to produce the best “harvest” ever! Spring has sprung at my house. MORE
Has your organization better connected finance and development and you’re now looking for what you can do next to ensure sustainable mission success? MORE
Our research is in! The latest 2018 Charitable Giving Report with a spotlight on higher education can help institutions get a handle on the trends. I recently spoke with Sue Cunningham, president and CEO of CASE, to get her take on trends in higher education advancement. MORE
I recently had the pleasure of attending a Better World Leadership event in NYC at which Alice Korngold presented the findings of the 2018 Nonprofit Board Leadership Study. MORE
Did you know that nearly eight out of ten new alumni donors don’t give again the following year? Or that it’s even lower if they are graduating seniors? If not, stop reading this right now and start reading this year’s donorCentrics ® Higher Education Alumni Giving Report. MORE
In my last blog post, “ Elephant in the Sanctuary: Talking Money in Church ,” I introduced the topic of engagement and fundraising within a church. In today’s blog, we’ll dive into the first step, engaging each of the U.S. generations. MORE
Getting supporters to take action and engage with elected officials on policy issues can be a challenge, requiring organizations to start thinking outside the box. Learn from one social good organization how innovating and testing new tactics can help boost advocate engagement. MORE
Connection Cafe
JUNE 19, 2019
In my last article, “ Communicating Your Church’s Financial Needs ,” we discussed the second step to fundraising in church, explaining financial needs and spending. In my final blog post in this series, we’ll delve into step three, showing appreciation and impact.
Connection Cafe
JUNE 17, 2019
We all know people will reward companies they believe are good corporate citizens. Yet, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the “ halo effect ” of community involvement is no longer a given for companies that give back.
Connection Cafe
APRIL 19, 2019
Donor acquisition is all the rage, but did you know nearly 3 out of 4 new donors leave and never come back. I’d stay that’s pretty stinky, wouldn’t you? Blackbaud’s latest Charitable Giving Report sheds light on the importance of donor retention in the nonprofit industry.
Connection Cafe
APRIL 11, 2019
As a nonprofit leader myself, I know how frequently social sector organizations are strapped for capacity.
Connection Cafe
JUNE 14, 2019
Last month marked the inaugural meeting of a new benchmarking group created specifically to analyze and discuss trends in athletics giving [1].
Connection Cafe
JUNE 13, 2019
The digital world has opened a new range of possibilities for higher education institutions as they look to connect with alumni and other prospective donors.
Connection Cafe
MARCH 8, 2019
I get it. You’re committed to making a difference in the world. You love you what you do and you’re good at it. But you struggle with finding the right balance between your work and having a fulfilling personal life.
Connection Cafe
MARCH 28, 2019
It’s no secret that turnover is a known evil for many social good organizations. What may be less obvious are the reasons why.
Connection Cafe
JUNE 6, 2019
Has your organization better connected finance and development and you’re now looking for what you can do next to ensure sustainable mission success?
Connection Cafe
JUNE 5, 2019
Our research is in! The latest 2018 Charitable Giving Report with a spotlight on higher education can help institutions get a handle on the trends. I recently spoke with Sue Cunningham, president and CEO of CASE, to get her take on trends in higher education advancement.
Connection Cafe
FEBRUARY 21, 2019
Higher education advancement teams from around the country are noticing that alumni participation is shrinking, even as donations and commitments from a small group of big donors has grown.
Connection Cafe
FEBRUARY 14, 2019
We’ve all heard the saying “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” Have you ever tried? It’s a myth. You sure can! New forms of games or play can actually provide more happiness and longevity in a dog’s later years.
Connection Cafe
DECEMBER 27, 2018
From another record-breaking #GivingTuesday to the power of women’s philanthropy, 2018 has been a year replete with new movements and all-time highs. Take a look below to discover the Blackbaud Institute’s top trends that reverberated across the social good sector this year.
Connection Cafe
MAY 31, 2019
Many of us remember going to the video store to rent a movie. How about the calculator that used to sit in the junk drawer in your kitchen? Everybody has one of those drawers, right?) How about getting directions from a friend for driving to a new place or printing them out from MapQuest?
Connection Cafe
FEBRUARY 5, 2019
Have you ever signed up to get email updates from 152 Canadian charities? What about receive, read, and analyze 1,234 emails from those organizations? Or how about make $25 donations to each and every single one of those 152 charities?
Connection Cafe
MAY 30, 2019
Digital transformation may sound like a buzzword, but the reality is that it fundamentally changes the way organizations operate and innovate.
Connection Cafe
MAY 29, 2019
Many of the companies we work with at Common Impact host a “day of service” as a way to give back to their local communities. Days of service are one of the most popular corporate volunteer programs.
Connection Cafe
MARCH 6, 2019
Prior to working at Blackbaud, I spent 10 years working in annual giving. I’m embarrassed to admit that it hadn’t occurred to me in those years that all my work in annual giving was really direct marketing.
Connection Cafe
MAY 24, 2019
Churches Buy T oilet P aper ! . In my last blog post , “ Churches and Engagement (But Not Weddings): Tips for Engaging Each Generation , ” we discussed engagement , the first step in fundraising with in the church.
Connection Cafe
MAY 23, 2019
Annual giving and major giving teams traditionally experience a bit of competition over donors.
Connection Cafe
MAY 22, 2019
In the Blackbaud Institute’s report, The Right Mix , Anne Wallestad spoke about the Measuring Fundraising Effectiveness framework that quantifies the risk associated with a lack of diversification in fundraising.
Connection Cafe
MAY 21, 2019
Learn how to grow your supporter lists and tend your supporter “garden” by keeping lists engaged, bringing wilting supporters back to life and cleaning out the weeds to produce the best “harvest” ever! Spring has sprung at my house.
Connection Cafe
NOVEMBER 19, 2018
#GivingTuesday is the largest global day of giving and it’s fast approaching. According to GivingTuesday.org, over $300 million was raised online in 2017, totaling 2.5 million gifts. This philanthropic effort continues to grow, especially across all social media efforts.
Connection Cafe
MAY 17, 2019
Using analytical, data-driven insights enables you to reinvent the way your institution operates. Most academic institutions understand how enormous this opportunity is. The challenge is in implementing this transformation across every department on campus.
Connection Cafe
DECEMBER 10, 2018
In our last npENGAGE post , we shared some advice for establishing a trusting corporate volunteer relationship that results in not only great project outcomes, but also sets the foundation for a successful long term partnership.
Connection Cafe
MAY 16, 2019
Everyone knows that social media has a massive impact on today’s culture, so how can social good organizations effectively leverage it to engage supporters? What does your organization need to do to execute an effective social media strategy?
Connection Cafe
MAY 14, 2019
When it comes to advocacy, it feels silly to say that the most important thing is reaching the right folks with the right message at the right time, but it’s the truth. The key lies in the nuances of doing so effectively.
Connection Cafe
MAY 13, 2019
Did you know that nearly eight out of ten new alumni donors don’t give again the following year? Or that it’s even lower if they are graduating seniors? If not, stop reading this right now and start reading this year’s donorCentrics ® Higher Education Alumni Giving Report.
Connection Cafe
MAY 13, 2019
Tax-exempt organizations have seen significant changes to financial accounting and reporting standards in recent years. Implementing new standards can be challenging, but the cost of noncompliance can be devastating: a tarnished reputation, loss of funding, or even revocation of exempt status.
Connection Cafe
DECEMBER 13, 2018
I recently had the pleasure of attending a Better World Leadership event in NYC at which Alice Korngold presented the findings of the 2018 Nonprofit Board Leadership Study.
Connection Cafe
MAY 10, 2019
Thankfully, there’s been an email marketing paradigm shift in recent years. It used to be that, above all, size mattered. How many emails are on your list, bro?” As with many other areas of work and life, we’ve collectively come to realize the value of quality over quantity.
Connection Cafe
MAY 10, 2019
In my last blog post, “ Elephant in the Sanctuary: Talking Money in Church ,” I introduced the topic of engagement and fundraising within a church. In today’s blog, we’ll dive into the first step, engaging each of the U.S. generations.
Connection Cafe
MAY 9, 2019
What do finance and development have in common? A goal to keep the organization on the path to successfully fulfilling its mission. So, it’s critical that finance and development are aligned both on the goal and on the path they’ll take to getting there.
Connection Cafe
SEPTEMBER 5, 2017
“Hello Susan, it’s good to see you,” said the member of Congress at the sight of the constituent walking into his Capitol Hill office. “So, So, what bill will I end up cosponsoring for you today?”. You might think Susan was a wealthy donor or perhaps a significant employer in the Member’s district.
Connection Cafe
FEBRUARY 13, 2018
This article is the first installment of a four-part series examining digital challenges and opportunities for nonprofits in 2018. Let’s start with the big question: is Facebook worth it?
Connection Cafe
MAY 2, 2019
One of the most important things for a brand is good web design. Your higher education institution likely has several goals and requirements in mind when building and maintaining your website.
Connection Cafe
MAY 2, 2019
It’s so easy to get caught in the day-to-day of our jobs and think of “professional development” as something that only happens at work or that requires a lot of extra time or money (or both).
Connection Cafe
MAY 2, 2019
Getting supporters to take action and engage with elected officials on policy issues can be a challenge, requiring organizations to start thinking outside the box. Learn from one social good organization how innovating and testing new tactics can help boost advocate engagement.
Connection Cafe
MAY 1, 2019
As a nonprofit business, advancing your organization’s unique mission is the primary goal. The success of the communities you serve is inextricably linked to the organization’s success, and as such, you work tirelessly to deliver relevant, timely, and effective services.
Connection Cafe
SEPTEMBER 8, 2017
It is not a secret that nonprofits need volunteers and donors to achieve their goals and carry out their mission. The question is, is your organization focusing on the volunteer base that you already have? Many nonprofits do not know that the line between their volunteers and donors is very thin.
Connection Cafe
SEPTEMBER 20, 2017
As you start planning messaging and emails for Giving Tuesday, spread a little love to your donation forms too. Below I will outline the five tips that can help you stand out from the crowd on a day like Giving Tuesday but are also good enhancements for your everyday forms.
Connection Cafe
APRIL 29, 2019
My family attends church in an older building which is in dire need of some major updates. We even joke about the fear of using the upstairs restroom because the lights flicker and the floor is crooked and cracked.
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