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If you've spent any time poking around donation platforms, you've probably run into the claim that Givebutter is "100% free." It's a tempting pitch, especially when you're a small nonprofit watching every dollar leave the building. But here's the thing: the real answer has more layers to it than that headline suggests, and understanding those…
All A raffle can feel like the easiest fundraiser in the book: sell some tickets, pull a name, hand over a prize. But if that's all you're doing, you're probably leaving money and (more importantly) relationships on the table. The nonprofit raffle ideas that actually work don't just move tickets, they create little moments of anticipation,…
All Schools and nonprofits often picture corporate giving as one big, splashy check from a household name. Truth is, most of that support shows up in smaller, less glamorous forms: local grants, gift cards, employee matching, volunteer hours, customer-round-up programs. The real skill isn't finding companies with deep pockets. It's figuring out which giving mechanism actually…
Let's be honest: youth sports fundraising usually starts the same way. Someone volunteers (or gets voluntold) to figure out how to cover uniforms, tournament fees, and that one kid whose family can't quite swing the travel costs this season. It's stressful, it's often disorganized, and it tends to fall on whoever raised their hand slowest…
If you've spent any time poking around donation platforms, you've probably run into the claim that Givebutter is "100% free." It's a tempting pitch, especially when you're a small nonprofit watching every dollar leave the building. But here's the thing: the real answer has more layers to it than that headline suggests, and understanding those…
A raffle can feel like the easiest fundraiser in the book: sell some tickets, pull a name, hand over a prize. But if that's all you're doing, you're probably leaving money and (more importantly) relationships on the table. The nonprofit raffle ideas that actually work don't just move tickets, they create little moments of anticipation,…
Schools and nonprofits often picture corporate giving as one big, splashy check from a household name. Truth is, most of that support shows up in smaller, less glamorous forms: local grants, gift cards, employee matching, volunteer hours, customer-round-up programs. The real skill isn't finding companies with deep pockets. It's figuring out which giving mechanism actually…
Donor retention is one of those topics that sounds dry on paper but hits differently when you realize what's actually at stake. Every lapsed donor isn't just a lost number in a spreadsheet, it's a relationship that didn't get the attention it deserved, a community connection that quietly slipped away. And for organizations doing meaningful…
Nonprofits run on relationships, and relationships run on good information. But here's the thing: even the most passionate, well-resourced community organization can quietly sabotage its own efforts by ignoring what's happening inside its CRM. Messy donor records, duplicate entries, and outdated contact info don't just cause headaches. They erode trust, distort strategy, and cost you…
Small nonprofits run on heart, hustle, and the kind of dedication that most people only dream about. But even the most mission-driven team can hit a wall when it comes to turning raw donor data into real, actionable growth. The good news? In 2026, you don't need a Fortune 500 budget or a dedicated data…
Donor appreciation tends to get filed under "we really should do more of that" right alongside updating the website and finally cleaning out the supply closet. But here's the thing: how you say thank you is arguably more important than how you ask. It shapes whether someone becomes a lifelong supporter or quietly disappears after…
Keeping donors engaged between gifts is one of those things that sounds simple but trips up even the most well-intentioned nonprofits. Most organizations pour energy into finding new supporters, only to watch a big chunk of them quietly disappear after their first gift. But here's the thing: the gap between what we intend to communicate…
Monthly donors are special. They're not just supporters, they're believers who quietly show up for your mission every single month without being asked twice. But building a monthly giving program that actually keeps people around? That's where a lot of well-meaning organizations lose the thread. In this post, we're going to dig into the real…
A raffle can feel like the easiest fundraiser in the book: sell some tickets, pull a name, hand over a prize. But if that's all you're doing, you're probably leaving money and (more importantly) relationships on the table. The nonprofit raffle ideas that actually work don't just move tickets, they create little moments of anticipation,…
Volunteers show up, do the work, and then go home with a mental list of everything that could've gone smoother than they'll probably never mention… unless you actually ask. They're the ones who noticed the check-in table causing a bottleneck, or that a shift ran forty minutes past what anyone expected. That kind of insight…
Most event software advice is written for black-tie galas. Here is the honest comparison for a pancake breakfast, a fun run, or a benefit at the brewery.
Schools and nonprofits often picture corporate giving as one big, splashy check from a household name. Truth is, most of that support shows up in smaller, less glamorous forms: local grants, gift cards, employee matching, volunteer hours, customer-round-up programs. The real skill isn't finding companies with deep pockets. It's figuring out which giving mechanism actually…
Let's be honest: youth sports fundraising usually starts the same way. Someone volunteers (or gets voluntold) to figure out how to cover uniforms, tournament fees, and that one kid whose family can't quite swing the travel costs this season. It's stressful, it's often disorganized, and it tends to fall on whoever raised their hand slowest…
Every PTA leader knows this feeling: another meeting, another spreadsheet tracking who's selling wrapping paper, another volunteer who's gone quiet on emails. Product sales and big events can raise money, sure, but they eat up people power that most schools just don't have lying around. Here's the good news: you don't need a sales table…
Nonprofit video doesn't have to be expensive, complicated, or intimidating. In fact, some of the most powerful fundraising content we've ever seen was filmed on a phone in someone's living room. If you've been putting off video because you think you need a big budget or a production crew, this one's for you. We're going…
Storytelling is one of those things that sounds simple until you're actually sitting across from a supporter, recorder running, and suddenly every question you prepared feels too formal or too vague. The truth is, the most powerful fundraising content your organization will ever produce won't come from a copywriter. It'll come straight from the people…
Hiring for a mission-driven organization is genuinely different from filling a typical corporate role. You're not just looking for someone with the right resume. You're bringing a person into a community-centered movement, and that means passion, values, and practical skills all need to show up together. It's a tall order, and honestly, a lot of…
Grant writing has always been part art, part strategy, and honestly, a little bit nerve-wracking. The funding landscape keeps shifting, competition keeps growing, and it can feel like you're submitting proposals into a void sometimes. But here's the thing: community-focused nonprofits that get intentional about their approach are still landing significant grants, even in a…
Nonprofit leadership is a lot. You're juggling fundraising, community relationships, daily operations, and somewhere in the middle of all that, you're also supposed to manage a board of directors. And honestly? That last part can feel like the most unpredictable piece of the puzzle, especially when your board isn't clicking the way you need it…
If you've spent any time poking around donation platforms, you've probably run into the claim that Givebutter is "100% free." It's a tempting pitch, especially when you're a small nonprofit watching every dollar leave the building. But here's the thing: the real answer has more layers to it than that headline suggests, and understanding those…
The Bloomerang quote gave you pause. Here is the honest comparison for a small community nonprofit, including where the cheaper answer is the right one.
Look, small nonprofits don't need the fanciest CRM on the market. What you actually need is somewhere to store donor records, log gifts, fire off thank-yous, and get the full picture of who's supporting you, without adding a line item your board has to sign off on. Good news: a handful of free donor management…
Small-town nonprofits have something that big-city fundraisers spend thousands trying to manufacture: genuine community. When people already know and trust each other, when a familiar face can walk into a room and inspire a $1,000 paddle raise just by sharing a story, that's not a small thing. That's the whole thing. So let's dig into…
Community organizations have a superpower that big national nonprofits simply can't replicate: neighbors. Real, actual neighbors who've seen your work, felt its impact, and want to be part of something meaningful in their own backyard. But turning that goodwill into sustainable funding? That's where a lot of orgs get stuck. So let's figure it out…
Small community-based organizations run on passion, local trust, and shoestring budgets. Between coordinating volunteers for a weekend food drive and thanking the neighbor who just made a $25 recurring gift, your team barely has time to breathe, let alone wrestle with clunky software. The right nonprofit CRM changes that equation entirely, centralizing donor data, automating…