We’ve all done something – given in just enough – to get someone to stop doing something – to stop “bugging us” about something and go away. Perhaps it’s the dog begging for human food – you might toss fido just a bit, to get him to go away. Or your child begs for another hour on the swings – you might give her 10 more minutes, just to stop the badgering. And you might give a “go-away gift.” A gift that is just enough to get the solicitor to go away. That is a transactional gift.

It’s 2021 and we’re still in the pandemic, with no real idea of when it will end. How should nonprofits be approaching real estate deals in a time of such uncertainty?

Do people value what they don’t pay for? Margo Amgott of Amgott Interim LLC certainly believes they do! Read on to learn how Margo offers her unique skills to mission-oriented non-profit organizations pro bono, just when they need interim leadership the most.

How do you feel about asking for money? Your mindset makes all the difference. Our Senior Consultant, Betsy Steward, loves it! Read on to learn why.

Angry donors can make for a hard day, but listening to them is worth it! Read about what you can do when faced with an angry call, and why you should welcome it as an opportunity.

To remain viable in today’s reality, nonprofits must be able to understand and demonstrate the difference they are making. Fortunately, focusing on three basic strategies goes a long way. Read on to learn more.

No matter the size of your development office, the essentials remain the same. Ignore them at your peril! Use our list to consider whether or not your nonprofit has fundraising fundamentals in place, and how they might be improved.

Sometimes, humor and candy can make all the difference in motivating your colleagues and changing the culture of your nonprofit. Read on to see how we used it to inspire conversations about planned gifts.

You can’t keep a good project down. Despite the pandemic, Ossining Children’s Center has continued to hit exciting milestones in their Capital Campaign.

How many times have you heard, “Fundraising is really about relationships?” It’s true. This blog article describes how to turn this concept into a powerful reality for your nonprofit.

Just as Nature requires a process for developing the life of a frog, successful fundraising requires a process for developing relationships that lead to generous donations. And just like in Nature, you can’t skip a step! Read on to make sure you know all the steps involved in building relationships with donors.

What are nonprofit leaders thinking? How have the last 6 months of the coronavirus pandemic impacted their work and perspectives? In this blog post, 3 nonprofit leaders - a Development Director, an Executive Director & a Director of Philanthropy - are brought together to look back at what they wished they’d known, and what they look forward to learning.

Who would think there are lessons from a career in opera that apply to fundraising? Both take courage, perseverance and joy. In this article by a retired-opera-singer-turned-fundraiser, you can learn about the parallels and add a valuable perspective to your fundraising.

How does your nonprofit decide who is an acceptable donor? Read about two huge gifts that Lincoln Center (NYC) accepted and see what you think about the divergent politics.

In this unprecedented moment in time, we are all thinking the same thing: “How will we recover and come back from the many changes we have faced these past few months?” In my conversations with clients and associates, the question I am most frequently asked is, “What do you recommend I do differently?”

I’m so pleased to share good news from two of the Heller Fundraising Group’s capital campaign clients! Both are considered essential services, so construction on their projects has continued throughout the quarantine and both are on schedule to open their doors as originally planned.

All nonprofits suffer from some form of low self-esteem. Read this article to learn how even the most powerful can exhibit this behavior and how your organization can overcome it.

We love movies that have scenes with fundraising. And Batman no less! Will Batman make a grant? Find out and get inspired by checking out this blog!

Virtual events for nonprofit organizations have become the new success story during the Covid pandemic. Learn more about the best practices on raising money and attracting attention to your cause virtually.

Did you know that Martin Luther King, Jr and Mahatam Gandhi were great fundraisers? Learn what goes on behind the scenes of a social justice movement.

A great case for support can keep your campaign on track even in tough times. With these tips, your campaign's VIBE will stay strong.

Our social and physical movements have changed during Covid but basic human relationship needs have not. Are you still practicing the tried and true methods of fundraising?

We all get nervous during hard economic times but fundraising can often still be robust. Read about what happened during the 1929 Great Depression and it might surprise you!

As fundraising consultants, we watch our clients deal with high-stress levels on a daily basis. Raising money is a daunting task, especially when the goal is in the millions. Our work offers many opportunities for feeling afraid, dismayed, and discouraged. It’s vitally important that those leading the fundraising effort stay aware of the energy and attitude they share with their team. The team takes its cues from its leaders.

Most likely your Feasibility Study is terrible! Sorry to be the one to tell you so. Read our article to find out why and how you can still have a successful capital campaign.

It’s like that old joke, “When does a joke become a ‘dad’ joke? When the punchline is _a parent_.” Here’s my variation: “When does a gift agreement become stewardship? When it’s written down.” Ok it’s not really funny. But it IS true - if it is written correctly. Let’s break that down.

No one knows for sure what will happen this year. I sincerely hope we don’t experience a repeat of 2008-2009. Not only was my fundraising job extremely stressful, but my husband got laid off in October 2008 as well. So, yeah, I’m not excited about doing THAT again. That said, I thought this might be a good time to share my experience of raising funds during that awful time known as “The Great Recession.”

I’ve spent the last two decades as a professional fundraiser and fundraising consultant, and during these years I’ve tried out many different methods of getting in to see a prospective donor in person (the gold standard for fundraising prospect visits). I’ve cold called, cold emailed, sent letters, used LinkedIn, you name it.

Research shows that a handwritten thank-you note sent immediately after you receive a gift helps ensure a repeated—and often increased—gift. We live in a time when everything is automated: you buy something online and immediately you get an email saying how important your business is… yeah, yeah, yeah.

What did Leo Tolstoy know about fundraising? Find out what his classic novel has to say regarding a universal truth about needing to get your people and systems in alignment.