Every nonprofit has a mission statement. Not every nonprofit has a case for support. They're different tools for different purposes. Confusing them creates problems in fundraising. Here's how to build both, starting with what you already have.
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You have a case for support. But is it actually compelling? These five tough questions reveal whether your case is ready to raise money or needs serious revision. Be honest with yourself. Your fundraising depends on it.
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Someone asks what your nonprofit does. You stumble through a rambling explanation and watch their eyes glaze over. Here's a simple formula for a 60-second response that makes people actually care: Problem, Solution, Transformation.
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Your fundraising stories might be working against you. Leading with statistics, hiding behind jargon, making your organization the hero. Here are seven story crimes that drain power from your appeals, and exactly how to fix each one.
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Not every story ends with a job, a graduation, or a life turned around. Some of your best fundraising stories might be the ones without tidy endings. Here's why imperfect outcomes can build more trust than polished success stories.
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Most nonprofit stories fail not because the material is bad, but because they're told wrong. Here's how to take a weak story and make it powerful, with before-and-after examples showing exactly what to change.
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You need stories to raise money, but the people who have them are busy serving clients. Here's a simple four-question framework to collect a powerful story in just 10 minutes. Anyone can do it, and it works every time.
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You know you should build deeper donor relationships. But you're already stretched thin. Here's the truth: partnership doesn't require hours. It requires minutes, used with intention. A 2-minute call, a 5-minute email, a 3-minute note. Small touches, done consistently, transform how donors experience you.
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You spend a lot of time thinking about what you need from donors. But have you considered what donors need from you? Here's what donors actually wish you understood about being on the other side of the relationship.
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You know donors should be partners. But what does that actually look like? Here are 12 specific behaviors that transform how donors experience your organization. None require a big budget. All require intention.
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