Real Talk on Navigating Shrinking Budgets, Preventing Donor Drop-off, and Facing Political Headwinds

Published October 15, 2025

By Whitney Brimfield, CEO, Spark Point Fundraising       Right now, nonprofit leaders and fundraisers are carrying an impossible weight: shrinking budgets, donor fatigue, staff turnover, all while still being expected to deliver bold results. For social justice organizations, the landscape is even more complicated, with mounting pressure to dilute language, shift priorities, or […]

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Key Insights That Drive Fundraising Success with Hispanic Communities

Published October 6, 2025

By David Torres, Vice President/Creative Director, TrueSense Marketing       The Hispanic community in the United States is not one story, but many. With roots in Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Central and South America, and Spain, Hispanic Americans bring a rich mix of languages, traditions, and cultural values. More than 62 […]

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The Fluency Gap: Why Your Campaign Team Can’t Articulate What Your Donors Need to Hear

Published September 29, 2025

By Doug Diefenbach, Vice President, Strategy & Brand, Foster Avenue       And How to Bridge It Without Another Communications Overhaul Your campaign has stunning materials. The case statement is compelling. The website is beautiful. Yet your major gift officers come back from donor meetings with $50,000 gifts for specific projects when the donor […]

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From Crisis to Confidence: Building Stronger Recruiting Practices

Published September 4, 2025

By Claire Waiksnoris, Senior Director, Arthur Alley Search Solutions       Think back to the last time someone left your team. What did it cost you? Not just in dollars, but in energy, morale, and momentum. A vacancy almost always leaves a ripple effect: extra responsibilities fall on already-stretched staff, projects slow down, and […]

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Concentrated Generosity: Are We Headed to a Two-Tiered Giving Future?

Published August 25, 2025

By Matthew Mielcarek, SVP Analytics & Insights, Allegiance Group + Pursuant (AGP)       Mega-donors are increasingly steering the ship. Their gifts – at time in the hundreds of millions – are making headlines, shaping capital campaigns, and shifting the direction of entire sectors. At the same time, participation from small and mid-level givers […]

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The State of Modern Fundraising

Published August 18, 2025

By Carrie Cobb, Chief Data and AI Officer, Blackbaud       At the Blackbaud Institute, we’ve been closely watching how fundraisers are navigating today’s evolving landscape—and what we’re seeing is both inspiring and instructive. Yes, 2025 brings its share of uncertainty. Economic shifts, changing donor demographics, and policy changes are all reshaping the way […]

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From Scarcity to Strategy: Reframing Your Nonprofit’s Fundraising Mindset

Published August 12, 2025

By Ann Fellman, Chief Marketing Officer, Bloomerang       Fear is not a sustainable fundraising strategy. Yet, too many nonprofits operate from a place of anxiety and uncertainty. Budgets get slashed, bold plans are shelved, and decisions are shaped by “what if” scenarios. This reactive approach can lead to missed opportunities, low morale, and […]

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How To Build Your Fundraising Dream Team

Published August 5, 2025

By Lieve Hendren, Senior Consultant at Alford Group       If you’ve ever spent a day in a development office, you know it’s a bit like herding cats — except the cats wear blazers, carry clipboards and are split between those who can’t wait to work the room at a gala and those who’d […]

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How to Talk About Giving USA So Board Members Will Listen

Published July 15, 2025

  By Gail Perry, President & Founder of Gail Perry Group       You may be thinking… how do I bring Giving USA data to life for my board members? You’re in the boardroom. You’ve got the latest Giving USA report in hand. Charts ready. Statistics memorized. You launch into your presentation about billions […]

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