Nonprofit Articles

Explore our library of articles for expert insights and actionable advice, covering topics from fundraising strategies and donor engagement to optimizing operational effectiveness and nonprofit marketing trends.

Find Inspiration and Insights: Explore Our Nonprofit Articles

The nonprofit sector is constantly evolving, and staying informed is key to navigating its complexities. Our articles offer timely and relevant information that will help you stay ahead of the curve, ensuring your organization not only survives but thrives in changing environments.

Browse our latest articles below and discover actionable insights that can help you enhance your impact, drive your mission forward, and achieve greater success. Whether you’re looking to improve your fundraising strategies, boost donor engagement, or optimize your operational effectiveness, our resources are here to guide you every step of the way.

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Storytelling for Grant Proposals: How to Captivate Funders
Storytelling for Grant Proposals: How to Captivate Funders
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Learn how to use storytelling for grant proposals to captivate funders, highlight your nonprofit’s mission, and showcase your impact. Discover actionable tips to craft compelling narratives, overcome application constraints, and strengthen your proposals with data, emotion, and perspective.

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Public Relations for Nonprofits: Strategies to Earn Media Coverage
Public Relations for Nonprofits: Strategies to Earn Media Coverage
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Learn how public relations for nonprofits can amplify your mission and secure valuable media coverage. This article explores actionable strategies like crafting compelling pitches, building media relationships, and measuring PR success to help your nonprofit connect with a wider audience and inspire lasting support.

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How to Build Donor Relationships That Inspire Action
How to Build Donor Relationships that Inspire Action
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Discover how nonprofits can build meaningful, long-lasting donor relationships through trust, personalized engagement, and actionable strategies like volunteering, advocacy, and collaborative fundraising. Strengthen donor commitment and drive transformational contributions with a holistic approach to engagement.

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How to Empower Nonprofit Board Members to Take Action
How to Empower Nonprofit Board Members to Take Action
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Discover key strategies to empower nonprofit Board members to take meaningful action and drive your organization’s mission forward. From clarifying roles to fostering engagement and leveraging individual strengths, these practical steps will help build a committed, impactful Board ready to support lasting success.

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Get the Most from Your Giving Tuesday Campaign
Get the Most from Your Giving Tuesday Campaign
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Learn how to create a successful Giving Tuesday campaign that engages supporters, strengthens donor relationships, and maximizes impact. From setting clear goals to using advanced planning tools, this guide provides actionable strategies to make the most of your Giving Tuesday efforts.

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5 Tips for Nonprofit Leaders to Focus on Impact
5 Tips for Nonprofit Leaders to Focus on Impact
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Nonprofit leaders can maximize their impact by focusing on key strategies such as delegation, strategic planning, and executive coaching. Drawing from real-life experiences, here are practical tips to help leaders balance their responsibilities and align their efforts with their organization’s mission, ensuring meaningful and lasting change.

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Call to Heart: A Powerful Fundraising Strategy for Nonprofits
Call to Heart: A Powerful Fundraising Strategy for Nonprofits
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Call to Heart fundraising is a powerful strategy that engages donors by creating an emotional connection to your nonprofit’s mission. By offering structured donation levels and telling compelling stories, this approach maximizes participation and amplifies support, helping nonprofits achieve significant fundraising success.

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Nonprofit Grant Readiness: Essential Steps to Secure Funding
Nonprofit Grant Readiness: Essential Steps to Secure Funding
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Securing grants is a vital source of funding for many nonprofits, but success depends on effective preparation. This guide to nonprofit grant readiness outlines the key steps your organization must take to be fully prepared, manage potential constraints, and leverage the full benefits of grant funding to drive impact and sustainability.

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Unlock GivingTuesday Success: Your Social Media Cheat Sheet
Unlock GivingTuesday Success: Your Social Media Cheat Sheet
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Unlock the full potential of your nonprofit’s GivingTuesday social media strategy with actionable tips to boost engagement and drive donations. Discover how to craft engaging content, optimize timing, and target the right audience to maximize donations and impact.

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Fundraising Tips
Wrap Up Your Year-End Fundraising for a Strong Finish
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We want to provide encouragement to nonprofits about their year-end fundraising. It’s not too late! We have put together some tips for last-minute year-end fundraising. Now go out there, make merry and fundraise!

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Nonprofit Collaboration for Grants: A Strategy for Success
Nonprofit Collaboration for Grants: A Strategy for Success
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Discover how nonprofit collaboration can enhance your success in securing grants. Learn effective strategies for building partnerships, overcoming challenges, and maximizing impact through collaborative grant applications.

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Master the Donor Development Cycle for Nonprofit Fundraising
Master the Donor Development Cycle for Nonprofit Fundraising
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The donor development cycle helps nonprofits turn one-time donors into long-term supporters by focusing on identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. This strategic approach strengthens donor relationships and boosts fundraising success.

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Essential Steps to Creating a Strategic Plan for Nonprofits
Essential Steps to Creating a Strategic Plan for Nonprofits
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Crafting a strategic plan is fundamental for nonprofit organizations seeking to navigate their missions with purpose and impact. Explore the essential steps in building a strategic plan, focusing on the importance of collaboration and adaptability.

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Transform Your Nonprofit’s Annual Report into a Fundraising Powerhouse
Transform Your Annual Report into a Fundraising Powerhouse
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Unlock the full potential of your nonprofit’s annual report by transforming it into a strategic tool for fundraising. Learn how to enhance donor engagement, increase retention, and showcase the impact of contributions with a well-crafted annual report that goes beyond the basics.

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Outsourcing for Nonprofits: Tips to Optimize Operations and Reduce Costs
Outsourcing for Nonprofits: Optimize Operations and Reduce Costs
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Outsourcing offers nonprofits a strategic way to access specialized expertise and enhance efficiency. By leveraging external resources, organizations can reduce costs and focus on their core mission, including building crucial donor relationships. Discover how tailored outsourcing solutions can elevate your nonprofit’s impact and streamline operations.

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Maximizing Nonprofit Funding: Grant Research Tools & Tips
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Grants play a vital role in many nonprofits’ funding strategies, but finding the right grants can be challenging. This guide explores various grant research tools and services, from free resources to subscription services. Understanding the benefits and costs of these options is essential for making informed decisions and maximizing your nonprofit’s funding potential.

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The Value of Volunteers: Enhancing Nonprofit Mission Through Engagement
The Value of Volunteer Engagement: Enhancing Nonprofit Missions
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Delve into the evolving landscape of volunteer engagement, discussing how nonprofits can effectively harness the value of volunteerism amidst professionalization. Emphasize strategic volunteer engagement, aligning volunteers with organizational goals, and fostering long-term relationships.

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How Storytelling Boosts Nonprofit Awareness and Fundraising
How Storytelling Boosts Nonprofit Awareness and Fundraising
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Storytelling in the nonprofit sector is a powerful tool that can increase awareness and promote fundraising by highlighting characters, conversations, and causes. Practical examples and techniques demonstrate how to create impactful stories that engage audiences, build trust, and inspire action.

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AI Prompt Engineering: Empowering Nonprofit Missions with AI
AI Prompt Engineering: Empowering Nonprofit Operations with AI
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Explore how strategic prompt crafting can revolutionize donor engagement, streamline operations, and optimize communication strategies within nonprofit organizations. Gain actionable insights into leveraging AI for personalized outreach and efficient management, empowering your nonprofit’s operations in the digital era.

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Successful Fundraising Tactics to Boost Nonprofit Revenue
Successful Fundraising Strategies to Boost Nonprofit Revenue
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Fundraising is a loaded term. The average person who is unfamiliar with the nonprofit sector probably imagines a bake sale or maybe even someone going door-to-door asking strangers for money. While those are true, they don’t fully demonstrate the complexity of the work involved in nonprofit fundraising strategies and the unique skill sets required to…

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Transform Your Nonprofit: The Power of Board Retreats
Transform Your Nonprofit: The Power of Board Retreats
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Explore the pivotal role of board retreats in transforming nonprofit organizations. Delve into the process of crafting shared visions, aligning goals, and defining strategic pathways for success. Discover how these retreats foster collaboration and unity, positioning nonprofits for dynamic growth.

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Effective Grant Budgeting for Nonprofits: A Complete Guide
Effective Grant Budgets for Nonprofits: A Complete Guide
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Explore the ins and outs of crafting compelling grant budgets for nonprofit organizations. From understanding the nuances of grant applications to clarifying budgeting terminology, discover practical tips and strategies to navigate the grant funding landscape with confidence. Whether you’re a seasoned nonprofit leader or new to the grant writing process, you’ll gain the insights needed to effectively secure funding for your organization’s mission-driven initiatives.

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A Roadmap to Fundraising Success
Charting Donor Cultivation: A Roadmap to Fundraising Success
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Delve into a comprehensive guide offering essential strategies for mastering donor cultivation within the fundraising landscape. From understanding Moves Management to leveraging metrics and AI, learn how to foster meaningful relationships, navigate challenges, and make a lasting impact on organizations and communities.

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AI-Savvy Nonprofit Team
Building an AI-Savvy Nonprofit Team: Training and Resources
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Explore practical steps to integrate AI into your nonprofit team’s operations through comprehensive training and consulting services. From demystifying AI concepts to hands-on application in real-world projects, empower your organization with enhanced efficiency and innovation, ensuring readiness for the future of your nonprofit work.

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Strategic Tips for Achieving Your Nonprofit Goals
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Unlock the secrets to nonprofit success with strategic goal-setting tips. Learn how to set measurable objectives, navigate challenges, and embrace innovation for maximum impact. Whether you’re a nonprofit leader or supporter, this article provides actionable insights to drive your organization forward.

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How Strategic Planning Can Help Nonprofits Achieve Their Mission
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Delve into the essential practice of strategic planning for nonprofits, uncovering its pivotal role in guiding organizations towards mission success. This comprehensive guide explores the benefits, process, and key considerations, offering invaluable insights for nonprofit leaders seeking to maximize their impact.

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The Impact of Logic Models on Nonprofit Grant Writing
The Impact of Logic Models on Nonprofit Grant Writing
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In the world of nonprofit organizations, where resources are always stretched thin and the competition for funding is fierce, the ability to secure grants can often be the difference between expanding vital services or making painful cuts to a much-needed program. This is where the strategic framework of a logic model becomes an indispensable tool.…

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Uncovering Major Giving Potential within Your Donor Database
From Data to Dollars: Uncovering Major Giving Potential Within Your Donor Database
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Explore innovative strategies for leveraging data in nonprofit fundraising to propel your organization’s success. This insightful resource offers step-by-step techniques to identify, engage, and cultivate major gift prospects, empowering you to enhance fundraising impact and cultivate enduring donor connections.

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Donor Stewardship: Building Relationships and Retaining Donors
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Donor stewardship goes beyond simple appreciation, informing donors of impact, engagement opportunities, and regular communication. Successful stewardship entails a comprehensive approach involving SOPs, personalized gestures, and maintaining detailed records, ultimately ensuring donors feel valued and engaged in the organization’s mission.

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From Data to Action: AI-Powered Insights for Measuring Nonprofit Impact
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Explore how artificial intelligence (AI) revolutionizes impact measurement and strategic planning for nonprofits. By leveraging AI’s analytical capabilities, nonprofits can extract actionable insights from vast datasets, align program outcomes with strategic goals, and drive meaningful change in communities with greater efficiency and precision.

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The Relationship Between Your Executive Director and Board Members
Harnessing Impact: Cultivating Synergy Between Executive Directors and Board Members
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The success of a nonprofit hinges on the strong bond between its Executive Director and Board members. Through effective communication, collaboration, and shared vision, this relationship drives positive change and ensures the organization’s long-term sustainability. Best practices will be discussed to guide nonprofit leaders in cultivating this essential partnership.

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Finding the Right Fit: How to Choose the Best Board Member for Your Nonprofit
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Selecting the right Board members is a decision that reverberates throughout the corridors of a nonprofit organization, shaping its trajectory and influencing its ability to achieve its mission. The impact of these selections is far-reaching, touching every aspect of the organization’s functionality and its capacity to create meaningful change. Before embarking on the search for…

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Starting Your Nonprofit Grant Application Story, The Right Way
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If you have been writing grants for a while, you know the plethora of questions can be asked by a range of funding agencies. Regardless of your level of expertise, it is paramount you have a story to tell and are not distracted from telling it because of the questions you are asked by a funding agency.

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Effective Strategies for Digital Community Engagement
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The threads of community engagement are being rewoven in the tapestry of today’s digital world. Transitioning from traditional, face-to-face interactions to dynamic digital platforms, this evolution reflects a seismic shift in communication and connection. Embracing digital platforms isn’t merely a trend; it’s an essential adaptation for anyone committed to cultivating robust community relationships.

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Optimizing Sponsorship: What Sponsors Want in Nonprofit Partners
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In the intricate dance between nonprofits and sponsors, the search for the perfect partnership is like finding the right notes in a symphony. Nonprofit organizations, driven by their altruistic missions, often seek sponsors to provide the necessary financial support and resources to achieve their goals. In this exploration of the mutual relationship between nonprofits and sponsors, we delve into what sponsors are truly looking for in nonprofit partners. 

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Creating a Culture of Gratitude in Your Nonprofit to Encourage Philanthropy
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The bonds that exist between your nonprofit and its mission and your donors are precious.  The stronger the bonds the more your donors are encouraged to support you through the years.  Those bonds are created and strengthened through your nonprofit’s culture of gratitude.  Let’s take a more in-depth look at your nonprofit culture. 

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Connecting Better: AI’s Role in Personalizing Donor Experiences
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Today’s donors expect interactions that resonate personally, and here’s where Artificial Intelligence (AI) steps in. AI is not just a buzzword in the tech community; it has become a vital tool in reshaping how nonprofits engage with their donors, offering a level of personalization that was once thought impossible. It is revolutionizing the way nonprofits connect with their donors, moving beyond traditional, one-size-fits-all communication strategies to create deeply personalized, engaging donor experiences.

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Mastering the Art of Online Storytelling for Nonprofits
Mastering the Art of Digital Storytelling for Nonprofits
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Learn how personalization, empathy, and authenticity form the foundation of effective digital storytelling for nonprofits, enabling organizations to craft compelling narratives that resonate deeply, inspire action, and drive meaningful change in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

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Grant Writing Tips To Bolster Relationships With Foundations
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Grant writing is an art that goes beyond simply pinning down proposals. It’s about establishing and nurturing relationships with foundations with a shared vision. Successful grant writing involves more than just crafting compelling narratives; it requires a strategic approach to build and maintain strong connections with the entities that fund your projects. In this article, we’ll explore essential grant writing tips that enhance the quality of your proposals, and bolster relationships with foundations. 

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Volunteer Strategies to Motivate and Retain Your Team
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Nonprofit organizations rely heavily on the dedication and passion of their volunteers. They contribute their time, skills, and passion to advance a shared mission. However, maintaining a motivated and committed volunteer base can be challenging. This article explores effective strategies to inspire and retain nonprofit volunteers, ensuring a sustainable and engaged workforce. 

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5 Essential Tactics to Boost Your End-of-Year Fundraising Success
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The close of each year presents a unique and pivotal moment for nonprofits around the globe—a culmination of reflections, learnings, and most significantly, an intense period of fundraising. As the calendar pages turn and the anticipation of the holiday spirit begins to envelop us, the nonprofit sector gears up for what is arguably its most…

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The Power of Grants: Insider Knowledge on Grant Types
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If you are new to grant writing for a nonprofit, understanding the types of grants available can put you on a path to securing larger awards for your organization. It can be confusing at first, but this article breaks down the types of grants and give you examples of each. Onward and upward, novice grant-writer! …

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Building a Foundation: Strategies for Implementing a Recurring Giving Program
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What strategy do you use to maintain and build your recurring giving? Are those elements key ingredients in your annual fund drive?  In a world where nonprofit organizations play a crucial role in addressing pressing social issues, the need for sustainable funding has never been greater. Building a recurring giving program is a powerful solution that provides steady support for the mission and vision of a nonprofit.   

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Measuring What Matters: How to Demonstrate Your Nonprofit’s Impact in the Community
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Nonprofit organizations positively impact communities by addressing social issues, providing essential services, and advocating for change. They make a real difference in people’s lives. But how do the communities they serve know how they are making a difference?

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Your Playbook for Making the Best GivingTuesday Campaign
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If you haven’t participated in a GivingTuesday campaign before, your organization is missing out on one of the biggest opportunities of the year to secure donations! We created a resource to help you make the most of this global day of giving. Learn how to create the best campaign possible and get in on the kindness GivingTuesday spreads!

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Succession Strategy: Mapping the Next Generation of Leadership
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A map of the land is something that tells you what it is like around you and helps you move around effectively and reach your destination. Some of us may still use a road atlas or printed maps while others, the many apps and GPS models that are available. A map of future leaders helps in the same ways but instead of giving you insight and guidance into places; it does so for your nonprofit’s future leaders.   

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Donor Retention: Ways To Thank Your Donors Year Round
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While the holidays are certainly a good time to thank donors, it’s important to thank them throughout the year. Cultivating this relationship will make donors feel appreciated and increase donor retention. In fact, a wise fundraiser once said, “the first step in getting the second gift is how much appreciation you show that person for their first gift.”

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Elevating Your Board: Steps to Transform from Hot Mess to High Functioning
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Is your non-profit board a hot mess? Does it sometimes feel like a futile attempt to manage and organize the Board, like herding cats? Do you long for the day it will become highly functioning and more productive? If we look at the symptoms and indicators of a Board not doing the intended job, the…

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Maximizing Your Nonprofit’s Message: Crafting Impactful Videos
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At least once a day, we page through our feeds to see who is posting what, what is going on this weekend, and did you see the picture of her new baby? Think about the act of paging through Facebook or Instagram. Most of us blitz through our feeds because we do not want to feel…

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Empowering Nonprofit Board Members: The Key to Successful Fundraising
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Fundraising is most successful when it is authentic. Donors are most likely to give when they are asked by a Board member who is passionate about the mission of the organization and who is able to effectively communicate that passion and inspire the donor’s trust.

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Securing Funding and Support: The Power of Impact Reports for Nonprofits
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As a nonprofit leader, one of your goals is to motivate your donors to support your nonprofit’s mission. An excellent means of doing that is sharing the impact their donations had on the nonprofit’s clients over the past year. Let’s take a closer look at just how important the impact report is and what you…

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Using Government Grants to Make Purchases for Your Nonprofit
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How do you know if your nonprofit is ready to apply for government grants? Can you use government grants to make purchases from anyone, or do you have to use approved vendors? In this article you’ll learn the specifics about what financial policies and procedures are necessary to attain and then properly make use of government grants.

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How to Get a Nonprofit Press Release Picked Up
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May we get some attention please? “We’re having our annual (insert the name of your next event), and we need the media to cover it. Does anyone know (insert name of favorite news anchor) at channel (insert local TV station)? How do we get our nonprofit press release picked up?” Sound familiar? It happens all…

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Boost Your Nonprofit’s Donations with Text Message Fundraising
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Text fundraising is a great alternative to traditional fundraising. Not only do text messages have fantastic open and response rates, your donors likely have their phones with them wherever they go. According to 99 Firms, the average open rate for text message marketing campaigns is 98%, compared to a 20% open rate for email marketing…

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Increase Your Odds Of Getting A Grant For Your Nonprofit
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One of the most helpful measures you can take to increase your odds of winning a grant is by establishing a relationship with the funder before submitting your proposal. Though it may not always be the case, many funders are receptive to contact with prospective applicants. Utilizing this opportunity by establishing an early line of communication can pave the road to success.

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Keeping Up With Trends In The Fundraising World
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One of the great things about fundraising is the abundance of creativity that exists in the profession. It’s energizing to get new ideas from other peers about fundraising that we can infuse into our own organizations.  A great way to stay fresh and current in fundraising is to join an industry or philanthropic association like…

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9 Practices to Help You Raise More With Online Fundraising
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Whether you’ve been fundraising for a while or are just getting started, online fundraising is more important than ever. As you fundraise more and more, you’ll learn more about your nonprofit’s donors and how to tailor your online fundraising efforts to their preferences. However, there are some best practices to help you get started. Here are…

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Kickstart Your Nonprofits’ Fundraising
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Fundraising is an essential component of a nonprofit’s ability to succeed; it’s how organizations grow and fulfill their mission. To set your fundraising program for success, you need a general understanding of how fundraising works, a message that donors can support, and a plan of the best tactics to pursue early on.

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Does Your Board Need Term Limits?
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Does your Board need term limits? Our experience has been that many of the most severe problems have come from Board members who have stayed too long as well as other factors that good bylaws can address. To keep consistency in performance, it is a best practice to institute term limits for your nonprofit’s Board.

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Board Stewardship: Conversations to Light a Fire Within
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Some Board Members might be sitting back or even considering moving on. They may feel they haven’t done anything very worthwhile, but you can show them the work that they’re doing is impactful and valuable. I believe organizations must first strengthen Board stewardship before replacing Directors with new Directors. The Board reflection interviews are one example or process that can provide greater meaning for the Board of Directors. You are helping to engage Board leadership in the essential meaning for service and giving.

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Board Member Orientation: Key to Their Success
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A Board is what drives growth and change in a nonprofit organization, it’s one of the most important aspects of your team. So, when you finally find the perfect Board member, ensure they show up ready and motivated to make a difference for your nonprofit with a great orientation! Here are the keys to a successful onboarding.

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Ways To Engage Your Board in Fundraising
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A culture of enthusiasm for nonprofit Boards with regards to fundraising is important to provide the organization with the resources it needs to pursue its mission. In order to be as successful as possible, your Board should be helping with fundraising to promote your mission. Despite this, not all Board members are comfortable soliciting donations or fundraising in general. Luckily, anyone can be trained in the fundraising cycle. We’ll show you the dos and don’ts of fundraising and how to get started with strategies and policies that create effective Board members.

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the donor cultivation process
The 4 “R”s of Donor Cultivation
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Donor cultivation is necessary for any nonprofit to maintain the relationships and generate the revenue necessary to sustain their mission. To be successful in your donor relationships, you must adhere to the 4 “R”s of donor cultivation which include Research, Romance, Request, and Recognition. In this resource, we dive into each of the cultivation phases and help you understand the fundraising process so your nonprofit can acquire and retain donors at a higher rate.

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A Beginner’s Guide to Nonprofit Social Media
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In order to find success in the modern-day nonprofit landscape, organizations need to have a proper social media presence. The benefits of doing so can include more funding for your mission, increased reputation in your community, and it will provide a direct line of communication between your nonprofit and the people it serves. To achieve these results, we’ll break down the basics of social media strategy including the differences between the platforms, how to utilize analytics, and the best posting policies that will limit errors.

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Why It Matters: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is the leading topic among a vast majority of funders. The most recent U.S. census report shows nearly 40% of the population is composed of minority individuals. With many of our nation’s citizens classified as minorities, coupled with the recent racially charged incidents plaguing our society, funders are beginning to…

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Ignite Successful Board Collaboration
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Nonprofit Board members commit to providing the organization with the resources it needs to thrive, and fundraising is a significant part of this. Learn how to ignite successful Board collaboration and create a culture of enthusiasm for Board fundraising to provide your organization with the resources it needs to pursue its mission!

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Identify New Donors With Prospect Research
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Nonprofit organizations conduct prospect research to identify new donors or find hidden gems within their own database. While prospect research tools access and analyze large volumes of data to identify people who might be a good match for your organization, fundraisers must still employ a solid strategy to make the best use of this data. Read the article for strategies and best practices.

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Strategies for Editing Your Nonprofit Grant Applications
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Grant writing is as complex as it is important. A good application essentially covers every aspect of the nonprofit and represents their mission, so make sure your applications are as close to perfect as possible by submission time. The people who review them spend a lot of time and effort. In this article, we break down effective strategies to check and edit your applications so the person reading it will have no choice but to be impressed!

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What Your Nonprofit Can Do To Make A Stronger Impact In The Year Ahead
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Taking the time to get a substantial jump on the new year is a privilege all nonprofits can take advantage of! Not only does it position you for success going forward, but it also allows you to gain insight into how every level of your nonprofit has performed in the past. The best part of…

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How to Keep Newsletters From Ending Up in SPAM No Man’s Land
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Email newsletters are a low-cost tool for nonprofits to keep in contact with their constituents, share news, and seek donations. Despite their popularity, it is extremely common for a newsletter to end up in their recipients spam folder to be ignored and later deleted. Don’t let your hard work go to waste, learn how to protect your newsletters from being labeled as spam!

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Moving Up or Moving Out 
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How do you know when it is the right time to move up or out in the nonprofit community? This is a fascinating question that everyone should give careful consideration.    How do you know if you are ready for a promotion? Just like a famous quarterback has his own playbook for football, nonprofit professionals need one…

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How to Better Prioritize and Plan Your Nonprofits Marketing
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The one thing in common at many nonprofits is that staffers wear lots of hats. One thing that seems to fall through the cracks is marketing. Maybe you don’t have a budget for it or maybe your small team just doesn’t have the skill set to market your organization like a pro, so how can…

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Is Your Year-End Appeal Ready?
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The year is almost over! Do you have your year-end giving appeal strategy planned? Don’t panic, It’s not too late to get a jump on your holiday appeal. Here are seven steps that will lead you to a successful year-end campaign.

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Creating A Workforce Development Ladder At Your Nonprofit 
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As your organization grows, positions will multiply. There are usually opportunities to help your employees and volunteers to develop new knowledge and skills that are needed to take on more responsibility as you grow and add new positions.   A career ladder for development may start with an entry-level position as a data entry clerk. Then,…

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Visual Storytelling: A Powerful Social Media Strategy for Nonprofits
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In the past few years, the nonprofit world has embraced the potential of social media to garner more support and increase the visibility of an organization. Social media is an excellent marketing tool for nonprofits for a variety of reasons, but specifically, because it does not require multiple staff members to manage, a huge time commitment, or a lot of money. Learn how to take advantage of social medias free tools in order to push the needle.

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Use Your Donor Management System to Take Fundraising to the Next Level
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With a donor management system, the days of tracking gifts in multiple spreadsheets, writing letters one-by-one, and trying to recall your last conversation with a donor are over! Your nonprofit may have a donor management system, but are you taking advantage of all its features? Learn how to use it for fundraising, grants, and so much more.

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7 Tips for Board Retreat Success
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Don’t stress about your upcoming Board Retreat. These 7 tips will help you prepare and create an enjoyable and valuable retreat for everyone involved. Gather input before the retreat. You can do this through surveys, stakeholder meetings, staff meetings, focus groups, and one-to-one interviews. Before the retreat, gather data on community needs. Consider whether you…

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5 Tips to Diversify Your Donor Base
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Many nonprofits are missing out on the chance to attract more donors while simultaneously losing major gift opportunities. One way to avoid that is by casting a wider net. Its very important to diversify your donor base so you get as many people involved in your mission as possible. If your nonprofit is looking to expand the scope of its fundraising, these are some helpful steps you can take.

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Break Through and Diversify Your Revenue Streams
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Is your nonprofit stuck at the same level of income and can’t seem to break through? Have you asked yourself, “What can I do to raise more?” The main thing to consider when you are really in a revenue rut is: Diversify your revenue streams. In other words, raise money from a variety of different avenues.

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The Benefits of AFP Membership
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I’ve just come back from Planet Philanthropy, and I’m all jazzed up. This is the annual conference for the Florida chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). The event was so worthwhile! I learned new things, discovered new technology, had really great face-time with members of our team (we typically work remotely, so this…

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the Dance of Donor Cultivation
Podcast Highlight: The Cultivation Dance
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This month, the creators of IMPACTability®: The Nonprofit Leaders’ Podcast would like to spotlight one of their most popular episodes dedicated to fundraising: “The Cultivation Dance” with guest Christine Rahill, Impact Coach and Consultant at Soukup Strategic Solutions. She shares helpful insight and practical tips on donor cultivation. Discover the moves to make and the…

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Key Take-aways from AFP ICON 2022
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I just returned from the annual international conference of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, known as AFP ICON, and I want to share with you my biggest takeaways. First and foremost, I cannot overstate the value of getting away from day-to-day work by attending a conference. Your attendance can help you get away from the…

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Horror Stories from the Trenches - Why Grant Writers Need to Communicate with Program Directors
Horror Stories from the Trenches: Why Grant Writers Need to Communicate with Program Directors
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With decades of experience working in nonprofits, our staff has witnessed when there was a lack of communication between grant writers and the Program Director who carried out the grant project. This article shares a few of these chaotic scenarios and offers guidance on why grant writers should coordinate with Program Directors–before writing the proposal.

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Coaching for Executive Directors
Show Your Executive Director Some Love by Investing in a Coach
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I want to talk about a special person in many of our lives—an Executive Director. Executive Directors of nonprofit organizations give so much and extend so much good to the world. Yet they are often stretched thin without enough support. Often, there isn’t anyone to share their unique struggles with–who truly understands and can help.…

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Five Things I Wish I Knew When I Started Grant Writing
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By Riley Randolph Contrary to popular belief, I didn’t wake up on a cold November morning during my undergrad and realize that I wanted to be a grant writer. I come from the land of Communications and Marketing, but the fulfilling nature of grant writing drew me in with ease. So now that I’ve been…

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Solicitation in Nonprofit fundraising
Tips to Make “an Ask” Like a Fundraising Pro
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This is the time of year we celebrate Halloween, and in that spirit, we talked with fundraising expert Dr. Lou Traina, CFRM, about solicitation–because it is typically the scariest thing for fundraisers to do! Lou shares his top tips to take the scariness out of solicitation and help you make “the ask” like a fundraising…

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The Magic of Major Gifts and the Fundraising Cycle
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All nonprofit organizations either have a major gifts program or hope to have one in the future, but what stops fundraisers from going after large donations today? Perhaps fundraisers don’t know where to begin, and getting numerous major gifts just seems like magic – magic other fundraisers have. Don’t be discouraged!  We sat down with…

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The Key to a Powerful Case Statement
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Dr. Lou Traina and JoAnn Lawrence In this interview with fundraising expert, Dr. Lou Traina, we take a deep look at donor acquisition and major gifts. The following section of the interview discusses what makes a case statement a powerful fundraising instrument. A case statement is a tool that nonprofits often use when asking for a contribution.…

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Skyrocket Your Social Media
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Today social media is obligatory for businesses of all kinds, including nonprofit organizations, but simply having a presence on a platform is not enough. The number of followers and the level of engagement per post (whether it be likes, comments, saves, or shares, sends) signals to our brain and helps decide how we perceive the…

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How to use Text Fundraising to Raise More
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Text fundraising is a great alternative to traditional fundraising. Not only do text messages have fantastic open and response rates, your donors likely have their phones with them wherever they go. According to 99 Firms, the average open rate for text message marketing campaigns is 98%, compared to a 20% open rate for email marketing…

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Want to Attract New Donors? Do Your Research
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While fundraising can be a rewarding experience, it can also be a challenge, especially when trying to attract new donors. We sat down with one of the top fundraisers in and around Naples, Florida, Dr. Lou Traina, to get his take on donor acquisition. He has served in public and private nonprofit enterprises in southwest…

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Tips to Skyrocket Your Social Media: Hint: Your Staff is Your Secret Weapon
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Today, social media is a necessity for businesses of all kinds, including nonprofit organizations, but simply having a presence on a platform is not enough. The number of followers and the level of engagement per post (whether it be likes, comments, saves, shares or sends) sends a signal to our brain and helps us decide…

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Social Media Tips for Nonprofit Organizations
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Social media is an excellent free or low-cost way to increase brand awareness and connect with donors and the people you serve. Your social media presence is worth investing time in, but there are ways to save time and increase the power of your posts. These tips will help whether your nonprofit organization is just…

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Preserve Your Zen Plan Ahead and Communicate Requirements Early
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One of the greatest favors you can do for yourself as you lay the groundwork of a successful grant application is to run an initial assessment of what information is required for submission. An early examination of the required information will put you in a position to avoid any last-minute scrambling just days—or even hours—from…

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Successful Grant Writing: Proofread throughout the writing process
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Everyone knows what proofreading is. Simply put, proofreading is that fresh coat of paint at the end of your project, that final layer of polish you apply to ensure there are no glaring mistakes in your work. Right? Maybe not… Of course, you absolutely want to give your work a careful final reading before submitting…

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Successful Grant Writing: Research
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The evaluation of a potential grant opportunity can often be accompanied by its own set of challenges, and sometimes, as with any project, getting started presents the greatest hurdle. The good news is that every grant application can—and should—start at precisely the same point: researching the funder. Comprehensive, thorough, heavy-duty research into a funder creates…

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The Science and Art of Raising Major Gifts
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More than a few years back I was invited to pursue an Adult Education doctorate degree in the first cohort class piloted by Columbia University-Teachers College. The department selected 24 candidates who had a minimum of 5 years in an executive level position in one of 12 separate industries that served the adult learner. The…

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