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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In your pursuit of change, you have a lot of to-dos. Among them may be to apply for a grant (or several). Maybe you’ve never done this before and don’t know where to start. Or you need a refresher and some new ideas to make an impact. No matter where you are in your grant-seeking…
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Jerilyn Johnson is the Chief of Staff of Greenpeace USA, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness of global environmental problems and creating transformational change. Promoting social good was a core value for Jerilyn from a young age. Growing up in rural Texas, Jerilyn spent a lot of time playing outside. “I was raised in nature,”…
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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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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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A donor has a range of motivations for giving to a particular cause. If you can identify what type of donor aligns with your mission, you can make your fundraising strategy much more efficient because you know exactly who to target. Enter: The Appeal Spectrum, a concept from author Tom Ralser’s book, ROI for Nonprofits:…
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