Strength in Numbers: Behind a Fundraising Push for Immigrant Rights

Strength in Numbers: Behind a Fundraising Push for Immigrant Rights

With crowdfunding campaigns bringing in more cash for a range of causes, eight California charities working on behalf of immigrants have formed a new fundraising coalition that will debut on Giving Tuesday.

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“Rage Giving.” The Women Donors Behind the Surge of Support to Progressive Groups

“Rage Giving.” The Women Donors Behind the Surge of Support to Progressive Groups

It’s no secret that many women have been enraged by the ascendancy of Donald Trump. Now, new research documents how this anger affected their charitable giving after the 2016 election.

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Your Philanthropy Career: Ace the Interview for Your Next Fundraising Job

Your Philanthropy Career: Ace the Interview for Your Next Fundraising Job

We continue our monthly series on fundraising careers with a deep dive into job interviews, which can be a minefield for even the most seasoned development professionals. Here’s how not to screw up.

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Does Anyone Care? A Case Study of Funding Research on Rare Diseases

Does Anyone Care? A Case Study of Funding Research on Rare Diseases

Funding for rare diseases rarely comes from foundations or billionaire donors. Instead, it mostly comes from the families and friends of people affected. Here’s an example of how a small community of donors can underwrite significant research.

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Need to Raise More Money For Social Change? Apply For One of These New Fundraising Grants

Need to Raise More Money For Social Change? Apply For One of These New Fundraising Grants

A group of foundations and other donors have pooled their resources to provide grants and loans that help progressive organizations test new fundraising ideas or expand existing fundraising efforts.

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"We Were Not Chasing the Money." Fundraising Lessons From a Path-Breaking Healthcare Gift

"We Were Not Chasing the Money." Fundraising Lessons From a Path-Breaking Healthcare Gift

We look at the story behind a big gift to a struggling hospital in an underserved urban neighborhood. Such donations are rare. So how did this one come about?

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Beyond the Ask: A Fundraiser's Rise to the Pinnacle of His Profession

Beyond the Ask: A Fundraiser's Rise to the Pinnacle of His Profession

Reaching the top of the fundraising world involves so much more than perfecting one’s solicitation skills. Just ask Bob Carter, whose varied and successful career offers a number of lessons.

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“Why Would Anyone Want To Do This Work?” A Fundraiser’s Lament

“Why Would Anyone Want To Do This Work?” A Fundraiser’s Lament

Do today's young people have what it takes to succeed in grueling jobs that generally consist of 90 percent rejection? A veteran fundraiser reflects on the growing challenges—yet exhilarating upsides—of chasing donors.

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Getting Women to Give: Advice From the Trenches

Getting Women to Give: Advice From the Trenches

After decades of research and targeted efforts to engage women philanthropically, most charities still aren’t reaching their full fundraising potential with women. Kathleen Loehr has ideas for changing that.

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What Does Kathy LeMay Know That Other Fundraisers Don't?

What Does Kathy LeMay Know That Other Fundraisers Don't?

LeMay has raised $175 million from individuals for causes that are not always so popular. One key to her success, she says, is "radical listening." Which means what, exactly? 

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Why Is It So Hard to Find a Development Director? And What Are the Solutions?

Why Is It So Hard to Find a Development Director? And What Are the Solutions?

A veteran fundraising consultant explains why the hunt for a development director can be so frustrating, and zeroes in on the traits that matter most in candidates for these key positions. 

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Looking for Your Next Fundraising Job? Here's Some Candid Advice From Seasoned Pros

Looking for Your Next Fundraising Job? Here's Some Candid Advice From Seasoned Pros

Executive recruiters and seasoned fundraisers who’ve hired numerous development officers talk about the mistakes that can doom job candidates—and how to avoid them to make the final cut. 

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'Tis the Season: The 10 Most Excruciating Parts of Fundraising

'Tis the Season: The 10 Most Excruciating Parts of Fundraising

A former president and chief fundraiser of a major arts nonprofit offers an end-of-the-year list of the things she dislikes most about the grueling and stressful work of raising money. 

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The Asker: Remembering a Fundraising Luminary

The Asker: Remembering a Fundraising Luminary

Jerry Panas, who passed away earlier this month, was a giant in the fundraising profession. What made him so special? And what was his secret sauce when it came to unlocking big gifts?

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Your Philanthropy Career: How to Manage Up for Fundraising Success

Your Philanthropy Career: How to Manage Up for Fundraising Success

Managing up is an essential skill in many professions. But it’s especially important for fundraisers, who often need to delicately influence superiors and board members who have little experience raising money.

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Special Treatment: A Veteran Fundraiser's Advice on How to Raise the Largest Gifts

Special Treatment: A Veteran Fundraiser's Advice on How to Raise the Largest Gifts

Donors who make the biggest donations merit attention that is “specialized, customized, and resource-intensive.” That’s one of the top takeaways of a new book by Ron Schiller about major league fundraising.

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Your Philanthropy Career: How to Advance Professionally

Your Philanthropy Career: How to Advance Professionally

In the latest article of a series on philanthropy careers, we hear from seasoned nonprofit leaders on how to get ahead professionally without getting burned out or making a bad career move.

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Vital Signs: A New Way for Hospital Fundraisers to See How They're Doing

Vital Signs: A New Way for Hospital Fundraisers to See How They're Doing

It’s something that nearly all nonprofit leaders fret about: Are we raising as much money as we could or should? Now, there’s a powerful tool that helps hospitals answer exactly that question.

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Does It Matter Where the Money Comes From? Ask George Bernard Shaw

Does It Matter Where the Money Comes From? Ask George Bernard Shaw

As donors come under greater scrutiny and nonprofits face more criticism for accepting—or keeping—gifts from controversial philanthropists, we look to a 100-year-old classic play for moral guidance. 

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Deep Ties: A Wealthy Couple and a Cultural Center Remain Close Through the Years

Deep Ties: A Wealthy Couple and a Cultural Center Remain Close Through the Years

What does it look like when a big-city cultural institution and a donor stay in sync for decades? The relationship between Henry and Elaine Kaufman and the Kaufman Music Center serves as a good case study.  

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