All Recurring giving might just be the most underleveraged tool in nonprofit fundraising. Not because organizations don't know it exists, but because most treat it like a checkbox rather than the strategic engine it can actually be. There's a real difference between having a "monthly donation option" and building a genuine sustainer program that donors feel…
All Staff shortages in the nonprofit sector have become one of those problems that's hard to talk about without feeling a little overwhelmed. The vacancies pile up, the workload doesn't shrink, and somehow the mission still has to move forward. If that sounds familiar, you're definitely not alone, and more importantly, there are real ways through…
All You know that sinking feeling when you realize you're losing supporters faster than you can attract new ones? It's not about your mission or your team's dedication. More often than not, it comes down to something surprisingly simple: your donors don't feel seen. When acknowledgement letters read like form letters (because, well, they are), you're…
All Look, property tax exemptions might be one of the most overlooked opportunities in the nonprofit world. While you're busy optimizing overhead ratios and perfecting donor acquisition strategies, there's this straightforward way to redirect thousands of dollars annually toward your actual mission. We're talking serious money here. Back in fiscal year 2009, U.S. property tax revenues…
Recurring giving might just be the most underleveraged tool in nonprofit fundraising. Not because organizations don't know it exists, but because most treat it like a checkbox rather than the strategic engine it can actually be. There's a real difference between having a "monthly donation option" and building a genuine sustainer program that donors feel…
Staff shortages in the nonprofit sector have become one of those problems that's hard to talk about without feeling a little overwhelmed. The vacancies pile up, the workload doesn't shrink, and somehow the mission still has to move forward. If that sounds familiar, you're definitely not alone, and more importantly, there are real ways through…
You know that sinking feeling when you realize you're losing supporters faster than you can attract new ones? It's not about your mission or your team's dedication. More often than not, it comes down to something surprisingly simple: your donors don't feel seen. When acknowledgement letters read like form letters (because, well, they are), you're…
The word "audit" has a way of making even the most seasoned nonprofit leaders go a little pale. And honestly? That's understandable. But here's the thing: a strategic nonprofit audit isn't the scary compliance exercise you might be imagining. It's actually one of the most powerful tools your organization has for doing more good, more…
For mid-sized nonprofits, there's nothing quite like the knot in your stomach when audit season approaches. But here's what we've learned after watching hundreds of organizations go through this process: the difference between nonprofits that sail through audits and those that struggle usually isn't about budget size or staff expertise. It's about planning ahead. Instead…
Look, we need to talk about the elephant in the room. In 2026, nonprofits are stuck in a really tough spot. Community needs keep growing while resources keep shrinking. And here's the thing: good intentions won't cut it anymore . You need solid financial stewardship backed by actual data, smart technology, and strategic thinking to…
Recurring giving might just be the most underleveraged tool in nonprofit fundraising. Not because organizations don't know it exists, but because most treat it like a checkbox rather than the strategic engine it can actually be. There's a real difference between having a "monthly donation option" and building a genuine sustainer program that donors feel…
Peer-to-peer fundraising transforms your most passionate supporters into fundraising leaders, creating a ripple effect that traditional appeals simply can't match. Instead of relying solely on your nonprofit's direct outreach, P2P empowers individuals to create personal campaigns and solicit donations from their networks on your behalf, expanding reach and building authentic connections beyond your existing donor…
What Are Commercial Co-Ventures? A commercial co-venture (CCV) is basically a formal agreement between a for-profit business and your nonprofit to run a revenue-generating activity where a share of proceeds benefits your cause. In our experience, this approach has become increasingly common, and for good reason. Research shows that 89% of consumers would switch brands…
Governance documents have a funny way of becoming digital relics. You draft them with the best intentions, file them somewhere sensible, and then life happens: programs expand, board seats turn over, funding landscapes shift, and that carefully written conflict of interest policy quietly gathers dust. Sound familiar? You're definitely not alone. In this post, we're…
Let's be honest: most nonprofit board meetings could've been an email. Long updates, low energy, decisions that somehow never get made. Sound familiar? If you're nodding right now, you're in good company. The good news is that a few intentional shifts can completely change the experience, turning those sluggish sessions into focused, energizing gatherings that…
Look, we've all seen it. The board that got your nonprofit to where it is today might not be the one that takes you where you need to go. And honestly, that's okay. As the pressure mounts to show real results (while everyone's still obsessing over your overhead percentage), you need board members who actually…
You know that sinking feeling when you realize you're losing supporters faster than you can attract new ones? It's not about your mission or your team's dedication. More often than not, it comes down to something surprisingly simple: your donors don't feel seen. When acknowledgement letters read like form letters (because, well, they are), you're…
Nonprofit budgets have always demanded creativity, but lately that creativity feels more urgent than ever. If you've found yourself wondering whether your marketing dollars are really pulling their weight, or quietly wishing you had access to agency-level expertise without the agency-level price tag, you're in good company. This article is about pro bono marketing: what…
Google Ad Grants has been quietly sitting in the background of the nonprofit world for over two decades now, handing out free advertising to organizations that genuinely need it. And yet, so many nonprofits either don't know it exists, haven't applied, or got approved and then… kind of forgot about it. Sound familiar? In this…
Staff shortages in the nonprofit sector have become one of those problems that's hard to talk about without feeling a little overwhelmed. The vacancies pile up, the workload doesn't shrink, and somehow the mission still has to move forward. If that sounds familiar, you're definitely not alone, and more importantly, there are real ways through…
Look, if your nonprofit's HR practices still involve paper timesheets and filing cabinets, we need to talk. We've watched countless organizations pour energy into mission work while their people systems languish in the dial-up era. And here's the thing: that gap costs you more than time. Nonprofits face turnover rates of 19-21% compared to the…
Nonprofit compensation is one of those topics that tends to make everyone a little uncomfortable. Boards worry about optics, donors worry about overhead, and meanwhile the actual humans doing the mission-critical work are quietly getting poached by organizations that figured out that paying people well is, in fact, a strategy. So let's talk about it…
The Modern Nonprofit Business Plan Template: Built for Agility and Tech Look, we've all seen those traditional nonprofit business plans gathering dust on shelves while the world moves at digital speed. You know the type: rigid, multi-year documents built on assumptions that evaporate the moment economic headwinds shift or a major donor changes priorities. Here's…
If you've sat through a strategic planning session where decisions were made on "what feels right" rather than what the data shows, you're not alone. Too many nonprofits still plan based on gut feelings, board member hunches, or the dreaded "we've always done it this way" mentality. But here's the reality: data-driven nonprofit strategic planning…
Look, property tax exemptions might be one of the most overlooked opportunities in the nonprofit world. While you're busy optimizing overhead ratios and perfecting donor acquisition strategies, there's this straightforward way to redirect thousands of dollars annually toward your actual mission. We're talking serious money here. Back in fiscal year 2009, U.S. property tax revenues…
So here's the thing about modern humanitarian aid: we're still shipping blankets halfway around the world when there's a perfectly good blanket factory down the road from where they're needed. Look, traditional in-kind aid (you know, collecting donations and physically shipping stuff overseas) made sense in a different era. But digital logistics and local procurement…
Sustainable Scaling: Balancing Burn Rates and Long-Term Operational Efficiency in Growing Nonprofits Growth feels like success. More programs, more staff, more impact, right? But here's the uncomfortable truth: unchecked expansion is draining nonprofits dry. When your burn rate outpaces your revenue, you're not scaling sustainably. You're building a house of cards. At Funraise, we've spent…
AI is quietly reshaping how nonprofits raise money, and honestly, that's both exciting and a little nerve-wracking. The upside is real: smarter donor outreach, better predictions, and staff hours freed up for the work that actually matters. But so are the risks, and if you're leading a nonprofit right now, you're probably already asking the…
If you've ever watched your development team painstakingly enter donations into a CRM, only for your finance team to re-enter the same information into QuickBooks an hour later, you already understand the frustration at the heart of this article. Disconnected systems aren't just annoying. They quietly drain your team's capacity, create reporting headaches, and pull…
Look, let's be honest. We've all sent that "Dear Friend" email to a donor who gave us $10,000 last year. The guilt is real. Here's the thing: your supporters aren't asking for perfection. They just want to feel seen. They want to know their support actually matters. And while good intentions are great (it's literally…