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The Problem With “A Culture of Philanthropy”
I used to talk a lot about building a culture of philanthropy. It was a popular topic in the fundraising space and had the advantage of...

Chris B.
2 days ago2 min read


What do all major gifts have in common?
What do all major gifts have in common? They are meaningful to both the donor and the organization. They should be celebrated. They stem...

Chris B.
Jul 91 min read


2 Big Questions
“At some point, nonprofit leaders have to ask themselves if the mission is worth the work, the fear, and the risk. If it's not, then what...

Chris B.
Jul 22 min read


Making the Big Picture Work for You
One thing you can always count on in the nonprofit space is a plethora of nonprofit industry reports. The other thing you can count on is...

Chris B.
Jun 252 min read


Three Tips for Energizing Your Nonprofit Board
Last week, I had the opportunity to present at the AFP Advancement Northwest conference in Seattle. There, I talked about some of the...

Chris B.
Jun 191 min read


Rethinking Your Fundraising
I got my fundraising start in employee giving. It was a great place to learn about fundraising -- the messaging, the planning, the...

Chris B.
Jun 121 min read
A 5-Minute Guide to Individual Giving
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: steak fries are highly overrated. More to the point, however, individual giving is the key to...

Chris B.
Jun 51 min read


Free Fundraising Resources (for Free!)
I’ve got some new subscribers, so I wanted to re-send some info about a free fundraising video series – Try This First ! All too often,...

Chris B.
May 281 min read


Fundraising is like ...
How do we talk about fundraising? How do we talk about the art of asking? How do we talk about the work - especially to folks outside...

Chris B.
May 211 min read


Three Keys to a Fundraising Board
Just like that, we’re in mid-May. If you listen closely, you can hear my fellow consultants pulling together LinkedIn posts about...

Chris B.
May 142 min read


Did the Donor Decline? Or Did You Decide For Them?
There’s always a reason to say “no” to a solicitation. For example … Timing. A lack of interest. A lack of resources. A poorly worded...

Chris B.
May 72 min read


I Saw This and I Thought of You
The difference between a thoughtful recommendation and a generic one is the difference between an email from a friend and an unsolicited...

Chris B.
Apr 281 min read


Four characteristics of an individual giving program
It’s been true since the 80’s. The A-Team has the best theme song ever. Also true since the 80’s? Individual giving is the heart of...

Chris B.
Apr 231 min read


Don’t Miss Out: Fundraising Training Webinars
In early May, I’ll be leading two fundraising training sessions – and I hope you can join! On May 7, I’ll be leading Try This First:...

Chris B.
Apr 161 min read


Telling Better Stories to our Donors
One of the trickiest things about fundraising is knowing what kind of story to tell about your organization. We often get so excited to...

Chris B.
Apr 91 min read
Beyond the Ask: Boards and Fundraising
Fundraisers know that fundraising is not just the ask. It's the invitation, the connection, and the gratitude. Board members don't always...

Chris B.
Apr 21 min read


Fundraising: it’s exactly what you think it is
Fundraising is exactly what you think it is. To paraphrase Henry Ford, if you think fundraising is an impossible task, you’re right. If...

Chris B.
Mar 272 min read


Get creative with your corporate giving
Corporations can be remarkable philanthropic partners – and nonprofits that look beyond donations and sponsorships can unlock additional...

Chris B.
Mar 121 min read


Your Donors Are Closer Than You Think
Early in my fundraising career, my boss gave me a copy of the local business journal – an issue that featured the 100 wealthiest people...

Chris B.
Mar 52 min read


Don't Go Alone
What does it take to thrive in a nonprofit career? Las week, I moderated a panel discussion that tackled that topic – and others –...

Chris B.
Feb 261 min read
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