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Blog
Practical tips, insights, and advice.


You Probably Don't Have a Fundraising Problem
What is the real challenge in a capital campaign?
Frances Roen
Jul 93 min read


Embracing Uncertainty: The Space Between the Goal and the Path
Reaching your goal.
Frances Roen
Jun 113 min read


Clarity Isn’t a Bonus—It’s the Work
Clarity Isn’t a Bonus—It’s the Work
Frances Roen
May 43 min read


You Can’t Grow a Campaign with Leftover Capacity
What capacity actually looks like—phase by phase—and the roles that make a campaign move.
Frances Roen
Apr 14 min read


Getting Your Board Ready to Be Asked (Before You Ask Them to Ask Others)
Getting Your Board Ready to Be Asked
Frances Roen
Jan 233 min read


Part 1: What Non-Profit Leaders Need to Know as Congress Returns
What To Expect as Congress Reconvenes: Funding Decisions and Their Impact

Michael
Sep 4, 20253 min read


How to Use Community Ecosystem Insights to Strengthen Campaign Readiness & Case Development
A future-facing lens through community ecosystem forecasting.
Frances Roen
Jul 31, 20253 min read


Your Capital Campaign Needs a Communications Plan
A campaign communications plan is your roadmap for how you’ll keep people informed and inspired throughout your capital campaign journey.
Frances Roen
Jul 18, 20253 min read


Why Our Feasibility Studies Don’t Require More Capacity—They Build It
When nonprofits consider a supported feasibility study, one of the first questions they ask is:
“Does this take more of our time?”
Frances Roen
Jun 19, 20252 min read


Sleeper Gifts and Bon Jovi: Why Campaigns Can’t Be Built on a Prayer
Campaigns, like real-world change, require more than “thoughts and prayers.” As much as I love Bon Jovi (and I do), we can't build a fundraising campaign on the expectation of a miracle gift.
Frances Roen
May 30, 20252 min read


Capital Campaign Costs vs. Project Costs: Budgeting for Success
Embarking on a campaign, the excitement is often centered on the project, but if you don’t budget for the campaign itself, you risk failure.
Frances Roen
Mar 3, 20254 min read


When (and When Not) to Send Cards and Gifts to Donors: A Guide for Nonprofits
As year-end approaches, many nonprofits start asking: Should we send holiday cards? We answer that question here.
Frances Roen
Dec 4, 20243 min read


Navigating Uncertain Change Post-Election
As new leadership takes office, it’s natural to feel some uncertainty about what changes might come.
Frances Roen
Nov 14, 20242 min read


The Essential Role of a Digital Engagement Officer
The Digital Engagement Officer has the potential to revolutionize their outreach efforts and significantly increase financial support.

Shelly Lindsey
Jun 5, 20243 min read


The Most Powerful Work You'll Do
Creating a culture of philanthropy is the most powerful work you do. Here's how.
Frances Roen
Apr 30, 20242 min read


How Your Money Mindset Is Holding You Back
Your money mindset is holding you back. Here are four things you can do to change it.
Frances Roen
Apr 16, 20242 min read


Why You Need a Depth Chart for Your Capital Campaign
A depth chart is a critical tool in your campaign planning effort. Here's why.
Frances Roen
Mar 18, 20243 min read


Charting a Course for Growth in the New Year, Part 2: Prioritizing Your Priorities
How do you figure out what priorities are crucial for fundraising success, especially when everything feels urgent?
Frances Roen
Dec 19, 20233 min read


Is Your Capital Campaign In A Slump? Proactive Strategies to Recharge Your Fundraising
Campaign in a slump? With the right strategies and a fresh perspective, you can help your campaign recover and cross the finish line.
Frances Roen
Oct 31, 20234 min read


How to Handle Donor Silence: What to Do When a Donor Doesn't Respond to a Meeting Request
You reach out to a donor, but don't hear back. How do you handle donor silence?
Frances Roen
Oct 18, 20233 min read
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