Is your fundraising team stressed by never-ending revenue goals? Here’s how managers can break that cycle and help their fundraisers feel more supported in the year ahead.

A grumpy note from a donor can spoil your day. But if you’re open to learning, you may discover new ways to improve donor stewardship and boost donor retention rates.

On many days, working at a nonprofit in general (and then more specifically, being a fundraiser) will just break your heart. Over and over and over. Why do we continue to bloody our heads on that massive wall called the third sector? Here are four reasons why.

Do you tell your fundraiser you love them enough? In most nonprofits, the answer is no. That’s why Abeja Solutions created these fun valentines to share with that special fundraiser in your life.

There comes a point when you will know more than the people who are commenting on your work. And they rarely make comments to learn about the field of fundraising and its quirks. Listening to them will make work less effective — and that’s something fundraisers literally can’t afford to do.

My dear nonprofit companions: You are overwhelmed, overburdened, likely underpaid, underappreciated and at this point in the year, very tired. You know what I do when I feel like that? Seek inspiration from the one and only Kermit the Frog.

I sing the praises of the small donor. Those generous folks that give when they can to a mailing, or online, or even to your very specific appeal on social media. Why? Because they’re the ones doing the heavy lifting in nonprofitland.

We recently met a pair of nonprofit leaders who are losing sleep over their fundraising programs. All they want to do is run away from the nightmare of not making payroll or not keeping the lights on. But without understanding who really gives and how to balance growth with stability, they risk coming face-to-face with the monster they fear the most.

If your charity mail can convey the feeling of getting a letter from friends or family, even a tiny bit, I’d argue it leans more toward the kind of mail we need (and save!) rather than the kind of mail that’s headed straight into the recycle bin.

Smart string strategy could mean the difference between a donation to your organization, or a mailing that goes straight to the recycling bin.

Choosing what postage to use for your donor mail can be tricky. You want your mailing to get to donors quickly. And you want them to know how important you are to them, but alas, you have a budget. Terri Shoemaker helps you sort out the options.

Shakespeare penned the words, “Beware the ides of March,” in his play Julius Caesar. The piece recounts the Roman ruler’s assassination by angry mob and stabbing. I hate to be dramatic, but sometimes being a fundraiser can feel just like that.  Here's how to deal with disgruntled donors and still keep your cool. 

All too often, the year starts and fundraising planning gives way to crisis control. To help you get out of emergency mode, I’m sharing this nonprofit fundraising plan template – all ready for you to customize. If you’ve ever wondered how to write a successful fundraising strategy, this is a great start.

Truly successful fundraising, the kind that builds a relationship and earns repeat donations, runs on data. A good database can tell you exactly who to mail, what to mail them and when they’re most likely to give a donation. It’s time to leave Access and Excel behind—without breaking the bank or your back. 

I’ve based all of my successful fundraising strategy around emotion backed up by logic, not the other way around. But now I know there are specific times when the exact opposite is true. Just don’t forget to back up your ask with a great impact story and fantastic stewardship.

New fundraisers are often surprised at how mentally challenging the job can be. To avoid burnout, it’s up to you to convince the boss that you need some outside muscle. Here’s how to go about that and not get burned.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in 20 years of nonprofit fundraising it’s this: if you want to be successful at the job, you have to own it. No one is going to give you millions of dollars unless you’re fully committed. Here are 9 signs you might just be a fundraiser after all.