At its core, fundraising is a persuasive craft. It involves using rational and emotional appeals to move listeners and readers to take some action, like making a gift or volunteering time in support of your cause. While fundraising communications are often counterintuitive to people outside of the field, the reality is that it most of its best practices are grounded in time-tested techniques and principles of classical rhetoric―defined by Aristotle as the “faculty of discovering […]

By Kelly Medwick, EVP of Business Development at Firespring There are a million reasons why any one particular nonprofit board member may stall out. Maybe they got promoted at their day job and their responsibilities grew. Or maybe their family grew, and they’re knee-deep in diapers and onesies. Maybe they’re on several boards, and their focus waxes and wanes. Or maybe—just maybe—they’ve lost that loving feeling. Hey, it happens, and it’s probably not you, it’s […]

It’s a big world out there. As a nonprofit, there are plenty of opportunities to take and tough decisions to make. But with everything you do, there’s some amount of risk that comes with it. It can be hard to know where you’re vulnerable and which bases you forgot to cover. That’s where we come in. Risk management is something that needs to be a priority for nonprofit and for-profit businesses alike―especially today. What do […]

If you’re looking for ways to boost your 2019 fundraising efforts for your nonprofit organization, you’re in the right place. There’s no better way to do so than by knowing the trends within your niche. Understanding what’s happening around you helps you to think ahead, learn people’s behaviors, and seize the opportunities available. Here are 7 essential fundraising trends that you shouldn’t miss in 2019. Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) The number of Donor-Advised Funds is increasing […]