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Before You Launch the Program: Why Feasibility Studies Matter for Nonprofits
Feasibility studies are part of the early stages of responsible program planning.
Evaluation frameworks often recommend needs assessments and feasibility checks before implementation because they reduce guesswork and improve outcomes.
Think of a feasibility study as tu…
Understanding Donors’ Motivation to Give
When donors receive story + impact data, they’re not confused — they’re convinced. Narrative draws them in emotionally; clear data explains exactly how their gift matters. In tests of online giving, messages that included both narrative context and real-world impa…
Why Donor Motivation Starts With Narrative, Not Dollars
When people give to others, the brain’s reward system lights up. Research shows that charitable acts activate the same regions associated with pleasurable experiences, like eating chocolate or social bonding, triggering the release of feel-good neurotransmitters such …
The Real Story Behind Donor Retention: What the Data Tells Us—and What We Can Do About It
In fundraising, it’s tempting to celebrate when overall dollars go up. But behind every headline is a deeper truth: a few big gifts can mask donor erosion, retention challenges, and a weakening grassroots base.
Thanks to the Fundraising Effectiveness Project (FEP), w…
Monthly Giving: The Steady Engine of Relationship-Based Philanthropy
Monthly giving isn’t a trend. It’s one of the most practical expressions of relationship-based philanthropy, steady, values-driven support that keeps mission work grounded when other funding sources feel less predictable.
Over the last few years, national giving tot…
Why Donor Engagement Isn’t a Fluff Activity
On a quiet Sunday afternoon in March, we served dessert and poured coffee. The room was filled with laughter, ladies, stories, and a special guest—a meteorologist who also happened to be our state’s Miss America representative. But this wasn’t just about sweets an…
Why Donor Touches Matter: The Motivation Behind the Magic
I often hear leaders say, “We tried that, it didn’t work.”
Usually, they’re right. It didn’t work because it wasn’t designed to last.
Staff turnover, limited capacity, reactive fundraising, and grant-chasing can derail even the most passionate teams. The iss…
Major Donor Development: Relationships, Reliability, and the Evidence That Sustains Trust
Major giving follows a different rhythm. It doesn’t respond well to pressure, panic, or last-minute appeals. It develops through steady engagement, thoughtful stewardship, and leadership that signals foresight rather than reaction.
Many leaders have heard a version of…