Crafting an effective fundraising strategy is challenging enough without the right organizational tools. That’s why a detailed program budget spreadsheet is essential for any nonprofit. Breaking down program expenses in a spreadsheet clarifies your funding needs for each initiative. With the right budget figures in hand, you can craft a focused campaign to keep your…
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Winter Holidays Spark Point knows the value of rest, so every year we give our staff the last week of the year off to spend with their loved ones. Check out some of the ways we spent our break! Below you can see a beautiful gingerbread house made by Hannah’s (Senior Grant Writer) child Jaime,…
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Position Title: Fundraising Strategy Apprentice – Paid Time Commitment: 20 hours/week; Part-time or contracted Reports To: Director of Fundraising Strategy Core Work Hours: Spark Point’s core working hours are Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 6 PM ET, with client-facing meetings occurring, primarily, Tuesdays through Thursdays. This position is part-time and a work schedule…
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Whether direct mail or DMs, it’s important to know how to communicate with donors of different generations. The individual giving market is the largest and most flexible segment of philanthropy available to nonprofits, with the Silent Generation (born 1925-1945) and Baby Boomers (1946-1964) making up 70% of giving. That means there are multitudes of ways…
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Position Title: Grant Writer Time Commitment: 35 hour work week at minimum Reports To: Senior Grant Writer, Director of Foundation Strategy Spark Point Fundraising is seeking a Grant Writer to support clients with grant writing, reporting, cultivation of new funders, and stewardship of current funders. The ideal candidate is someone who thrives in a fast-paced…
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A Theory of Change (ToC) isn’t just a statement about the approach you will take to achieve your organization’s ultimate goals; it’s a vehicle for driving systemic change as it describes how you’re going to get it done. It’s the fuel for focusing your organization’s programming and an accelerator for an enduring fundraising strategy. As…
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There are two constants on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving: Leftover turkey sandwiches and Giving Tuesday. Do you know which one is hurting your nonprofit’s fundraising efforts? At first glance, Giving Tuesday, seems like a powerful engagement tool for nonprofits to activate online donors at a time when consumers already have their wallets out, right? Unfortunately,…
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Navigating uncertain times in the nonprofit sector, especially during transitions and evolving economic or political shifts, can be daunting. The pandemic’s impact on funding availability has placed strain on nonprofit development teams, hindering their ability to achieve programmatic goals, expand staff, address community needs, and serve clients. It’s akin to navigating a storm, but it…
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As a development director, chances are high that you have a prospect research spreadsheet that’s beautifully color-coded, categorized, and diligently updated. You’ve put in the time to find foundations likely to support your mission, but despite the intense labor of love, you’re no closer to detangling the web of prospect research — or securing meaningful…
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Are you falling for these common grant writing myths? Learn 3 myths to avoid, and how to approach grant writing to get the funding your nonprofit deserves.
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