There are several things that make for a successful year-end campaign, but planning is likely at the top of the list! When you plan ahead, it allows you to be proactive in crafting a great letter, segmenting your mailing list well, getting your board involved, and...
There's no magical solution to growing your fundraising, but there are some key strategies that – when applied consistently - will help you make progress on your fundraising outcomes. Here are some practical ways to prioritize your efforts toward those that have...
Looking for a simple way to share your mission with your community? Isn’t it about time everyone knew how great you were and what services you offered? Hosting a regular, monthly tour at your organization can do just that. A tour is a simple point of entry event...
Plan your thank you like you plan your ask. As fundraising professionals, we all know that donors need a thank you when they make a gift. But what we don’t always spend enough time on is how to make that thank you special to the donor. At Kennari...
A third-party endorsement is becoming a must have for any nonprofit who wishes to stand out above the crowd; it’s the nod of approval for your organization from an outside source. It could be another organization you work with, an association to which you belong, or...
Kalamazoo Public Library’s OnePlace programing recently livestreamed “A Better Normal: Reimagining Nonprofit and Philanthropy with Vu Le,” where more than 300 people gathered virtually to challenge ineffective philosophies and practices in the non-profit and...
Creating and maintaining a well-balanced, effective board for your organization doesn’t have to be difficult. Here are 10 'ingredients' of well functioning boards: The Board Takes Responsibility. This includes having a Governance Committee to focus on pieces like...
Meet Mario Vargas! Mario is a senior at Grand Valley State University, graduating spring 2023 with a Bachelor's Degree in Public, Nonprofit and Health Administration with a minor in Sociology. Mario completed 2 semesters as an intern with Kennari in December 2022....
We asked each one of the team members at Kennari Consulting the following question: What is the single best piece of advice you would give a nonprofit organization that wants to strengthen their fundraising efforts? Here are our answers: Megan Brodie - Be intentional...
Any goals toward diversity, equity, and inclusion should drive your processes and practices. We recently sat down with a panel of community representatives who shared lessons and anecdotes from their own work in this space.
Meet Kelly Yagiela! Kelly comes to Kennari with her most recent experience as Fund Development Specialist at Milestone Senior Services, where she was responsible for their grant portfolio and has also been supporting their capital campaign and annual giving. She has a...
As an intern, I was grateful to be given the opportunity to get a tour by McKenzie Rounds, Donor Relations Manager at the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre. The Civic Theatre, located in Downtown Grand Rapids, is one the oldest and largest growing community theatres in the...
Do you have half an hour to spare? Five minutes? With the ongoing needs and goals of one’s development department, it’s easy to forget about the simple ways in which we can take a moment or two to appreciate your supporters. According to Bloomerang, there are various...
Grants can be a great way to raise funds for your organization, but many grants are time-consuming to prepare and submit. Further, the work doesn’t always stop after a grant is submitted. While being awarded a grant is exciting, receiving a grant award can bring with...
The Young Professionals of Color Conference (YPCC) grows diversity and inclusion efforts in the business community by creating a space for young professionals of color to gather and engage with peers and leaders in the Grand Rapids community. YPCC's annual conference...
Business intelligence concept. Big data analytics, chart and graph icons and female hands typing on laptop. Kennari President and CEO, Laura Kruisenga, recently presented a webinar with our partner QGiv on the Basics of Donor Segmentation. Based on the response we...
In fundraising, and in life, we are often asked to talk about ourselves and the work we do. Words help us communicate ideas and thoughts to others, and shape how we understand and create meaningful relationships with people, our emotions, and lived experiences....
I had the opportunity to intern for Kennari Consulting during my last semester at Grand Valley State University in the winter of 2022. During my intern experience with the Kennari team, I was immersed into the nonprofit fundraising consulting world that consisted of...
The Giving Garden, launched this month, is the first book written by Sandi Frost Steensma, Founder of Kennari Consulting. With over 30 years of experience in fundraising and public service, Sandi offers a unique and comprehensive perspective and valuable insights for...
The Michigan Nonprofit Association has partnered with Association TRENDS to conduct a confidential compensation and benefits survey. It is FREE to participate, and all participants will receive a significant discount on the final report later in the summer of 2022....