According to the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) 2009 State of Fundraising Survey, only “43 percent of charities raised more money in 2009 than in 2008, marking it the worst year for charitable fundraising in a decade.” The survey states that declines were consistent regardless of cause. However, several of the food banks that I [...]

Awhile back I got a great question by email about the tax benefits for charitable giving: Are you aware of any data or where one might find data, on comparing how much people donate when tax deduction is and isn’t available….that is, data that would quantify the impact tax incentives have on giving? ~ Jane [...]

Jason Dick, who writes A Small Change blog, is hosting this month’s Nonprofit Blog Carnival. Usually everyone writes on a particular theme.  This time though the topic was open. I submitted my last post, 6 Reasons NOT to Start a New Nonprofit Organization. Here are a few of my favorites: How Anyone Can Be a [...]

Occasionally I will get an email asking how to start a nonprofit organization.  There are several great resources online that can help, but before I get to that I always kindly caution them on a few points. It is very time and labor intensive to start a nonprofit.  You should be certain that this is [...]

Staying up to date with news related to the non profit sector and your interest area in particular can boost the success of your group. By scanning these three publications you can: Discover information about your key supporters Identify possible new donors Stay up to date with current events that impact your cause Review case [...]

You have a great cause, it needs funds and you’re enthusiastic.  So where do you start? There are many different fundraising ideas profiled on this website.   Fundraising events large and small, letter campaigns, online fundraising and others are included on my top ten list.  But more important than any one fundraiser, a nonprofit needs to [...]

Grace Groner lived through the Great Depression, so saving money was her expertise. Nobody knew just how much she had saved until she died in January at age 100 and left $7 million to Lake Forest College, her alma mater…. “She could have lived in any house in Lake Forest but she chose not to. [...]