Donors support nonprofits for a variety of reasons. Some will give simply because they love what you do. Some appreciate knowing your impact on specific numbers of people. Others will give because of those reasons, but only when they get a closer look at your business...
Are you making connections or mailing labels?
What will jumpstart your fundraising efforts? Is it leadership, board involvement? A seasoned development director? Well, all of these components are great, but without a sharp administrative staff person, your efforts can lag and become easily bogged down. We know....
Host a Tour and Drive Home Your Mission
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...
Know Your Resources!
As a nonprofit professional, are you aware of the many resources available to you online? FREE?? DO you need a best practice for your website posts? Want to learn how to pack a little more punch in your eNews? With a quick visit to our friend, Mr. Google, the plethora...
Lost at sea? Or smooth sailing?
It's time for your big project and you're wondering whether you could go it alone. Maybe you could.... some organizations navigate the Capital Campaign waters on their own. But many agencies find themselves adrift part way through the process, or struggle to map the...
8 Reminders for a Stellar Year End Appeal
1.      Have a schedule and plan. Stick to the schedule and plan. Revise the schedule and plan for next year if it doesn’t quite work this year. Repeat. 2.      Get a good story. Talk with your program staff. Talk with a client. Be clear in the direction you...
Is your organization “open” minded?
How an "open" system approach bodes well for fundraising In the new world of philanthropy, it is important to understand the differentiation between "open" and "closed" systems of fundraising. Transforming from "closed" to "open" can mean a world of better results....
Who We Are, Why We’re Blogging
As Principal of Parrish Consulting, I have had the privilege and honor of growing from "me, myself, and I" to a dynamic team of four determined to move your mission forward, no matter what it takes. From annual fund capacity building to capital and endowment...
Excel the Enemy
Don’t get me wrong, I love excel as much as the next gal, and it can be a powerful tool in viewing and organizing data. But it’s not meant to STORE donor data for non-profit organizations. And it seems every organization I walk into has a secret (or maybe not so...
Ignite the Passion of Your Table Hosts
The success of your table hosted event lies in the hands of your table host. Essentially. But you have to make sure they are being ‘fed.’ If you are new to the table-hosted event world, you are currently dealing with properly training your hosts and making sure...
Donor Acknowledgments Matter
The donor thank you letter is an important piece of the cultivation process – and should be something treated with care and concern. Many non-profits treat thank you letters as a quick close to a transaction that needs a receipt and some tax deduction info, rather...