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Understanding the Nonprofit Public Support Test

by: Regina Pinney
Category: Fund Development
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Aug
15


Understanding the Nonprofit Public Support Test: Safeguarding Your Organization's Status 

As a nonprofit leader, we have all wished for one foundation who could swoop in and make all our financial issues go away.  A foundation that would invest so deeply in our mission that we could focus on the work instead of the hustle.  Somebody can dream, right?  

This is one wish that could be incredibly harmful and damaging to your organization should it ever come true.  And we, as nonprofit leaders, need to be prepared to turn these types of gifts away to protect our organization – or know how to mitigate the danger.  

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Navigating Financial Challenges

by: Crystallee Crain
Category: Fund Development
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Apr
04

 

Crystallee Crain, PhD.
Capacity Builder

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Is it time for a Capital Campaign?

by: Sharon Castle
Category: Fund Development
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Sep
14


Sharon Castle
Capacity Builder


A capital campaign is a significant undertaking requiring a substantial, and possibly, unprecedented investment of organizational resources and many nonprofits have little or no experience in this area.  From initial planning to wrap up to pledge collection, the effort will likely take years and should propel your organization to a new level of fundraising.  

2023 Capital Campaign Cohort Participant Feedback




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Let's Talk About Generational Giving

by: Sharon Castle
Category: Fund Development
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Aug
17


Sharon Castle
Capacity Builder

A new report from the Giving Tuesday Data Commons recently released “*Rethinking Resilience:  Insights from the Giving Ecosystem, A Lookback at 2022 Trends in Global Generosity. *”  

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The Many Pieces of a Fund Development Plan

by: Sharon Castle
Category: Fund Development
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Mar
16


Sharon Castle
Capacity Builder

I’m not going to sugarcoat it; fundraising is tough. Been there, done that, and I continue to do it. Let’s face it, there’s a reason many of us describe fundraising as “the oldest profession.” It has been around a long time and not going to go away anytime soon.  I have great respect for Executive Directors, Development Directors, Board members, Staff and Volunteers who understand and actively engage in fundraising for their nonprofit organizations.

Alas, each of us has a responsibility to play a role in philanthropy: acting as an ambassador and sharing positive aspects of how the community is benefiting from the organization’s activities with friends, relatives and coworkers; being part of a team of solicitors and participating in well developed “asks”; making the public feel welcome at events or when they making an on-site visit; or making a personal gift, something we all should be doing at least once annually. 

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Without a plan, plan to lose money

by: Regina Pinney
Category: Fund Development
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Feb
01

 


Regina Pinney
Executive Director

As we emerge to seek a new normal, our post pandemic development strategies must be adaptive and directive and emphasize what we have learned in the past years and what we can (and can not) control.  

A first step is to recreate (or create) a development plan to attract and retain donors and ensure these strategies are cost effective and our investments of time, talent, energy, and resources are efficient and effective.  



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Thinking About a Capital Campaign?

by: Sharon Castle
Category: Fund Development
Jan
12
Sharon Castle
Capacity Builder


“I’m a librarian not a fundraiser,” were the words of the library director of with whom I had just signed on as counsel for a capital campaign to assist with raising funds for a new building.  Two years later as we celebrated success and they moved into their new library, she confided, “I know you kept saying that this would be the toughest thing I’ve ever done in my professional career, but I never really understood and, boy, you were right.” 

As my library colleague discovered, a capital campaign is a significant undertaking requiring a substantial, and possibly, unprecedented investment of organizational resources and many nonprofits have little or no experience in this area.  From initial planning to wrap up to pledge collection, the effort will likely take years and should propel your organization to a new level of fundraising.  So, it makes sense that time spent on education and preparation on the front end will save you time and money and help strengthen your organization in the long haul.   

Nonprofit Network has several resources including our Capital Campaign Course. The 12-session virtual course is help approximately once a year and follows a syllabus designed to review all aspects of a capital campaign. Sessions will include structured conversations around assigned reading and homework and participants will gain knowledge around key topics including:

  • feasibility studies
  • factors in working (or not) with a campaign consultant
  • organizational readiness; case for support
  • prospect identification
  • campaign leadership, phases, and planning
  • one-on-one personal asks
  • lower end asks
  • special event utilization
  • campaign materials
  • appropriate thank you and recognition
  • staff involvement
  • concluding a campaign

If you are interested, please click on the link to learn more and register for the next course starting Feb. 2, 2023: Capital Campaigns Course 2023 (12 virtual sessions)
If this date has passed, please check our Capital Campaigns page to learn about our next upcoming event.




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