Fundraising

How China's Social Media Giant Tencent Is Shaking Up Traditional Philanthropy
May 23, 2017 at 10:50 am

The Wenchuan earthquake in Sichuan that killed 69,000 people in 2008 shook up China’s social media and online giant Tencent Holdings, located 1,000 kilometers away in Shenzhen. Social media was buzzing with users who wanted to lend a hand during one of China’s worst disasters in modern history. The company previously made scattered efforts involving philanthropy,…

25 Years on Relationship Fundraising
May 19, 2017 at 10:34 am

In this post-truth age, anyone who pretends they’re listening when they’re not may well be among the most under-informed, misguided and misled folks of all. It’s shocking to realize that people who’ve been nodding vigorously in agreement with you for decades may just have been humoring you all along, may have had little or no intention of actually doing what you thought they were so very enthusiastic about...

Breast Cancer Research Foundation Raises $6M
May 16, 2017 at 10:21 pm

I recently attended the annual Hot Pink event that supports the BCRF at the Armory in New York City. The gala was hosted by Elizabeth Hurley, Victoria Beckham and chaired by Leonard Lauder with a performance by John Mellencamp. I was able to connect wit CEO Myra Biblowit and we discussed her position, the event,…

Obama Foundation Donations Jump to $13M in 2016
May 16, 2017 at 10:18 pm

The Barack Obama Foundation contributions jumped to a little more than $13 million in 2016, according to an IRS filing released last Thursday, and donations are expected to skyrocket in 2017 with the lifting of a self-imposed $1 million cap and former President Barack Obama free to make direct appeals. Obama discussed plans for his…

Newsletter Tips for Your Nonprofit
May 15, 2017 at 10:47 am

The harsh reality of fundraising is that boring is often best. Viral video, Instagram Live, Tinder (OK, maybe not Tinder)—there’s a steady stream of cool, new, exciting channels on which fundraisers can get creative. These channels promise big short-term returns, but they’re not without risk...

Charitable Giving Expected to Increase in 2018
May 9, 2017 at 10:17 am

Ask your Magic 8-Ball about the state of charitable giving in the next few years, and there’s a good chance it’ll tell you “outlook good.” As long as it’s getting its info from Marts & Lundy and the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University, that is...

ExxonMobil, Employees Contribute Over $1.4M to Virginia Colleges, Universities
May 9, 2017 at 9:59 am

ExxonMobil and its employees contributed more than $1.4 million to institutions of higher education across Virginia as part of the ExxonMobil Foundation’s 2016 Educational Matching Gift Program. ExxonMobil employees, retirees, directors and surviving spouses contributed $453,000 to 34 Virginia colleges and universities, which was matched by more than $1 million in unrestricted grants from the…

5 Ways Nonprofit Marketing and Fundraising Are Like PB&J
May 9, 2017 at 9:53 am

Think about it. When you decide to make a PB&J, you give thought to the type of ingredients you’ll add to the mix: Crunchy or smooth? Strawberry jam or grape jelly? What are you, or those for whom you’re creating this delight, in the mood for? The same holds true for marketing and fundraising collaborations...

Should You ‘Hit People Up’ and ‘Twist Their Arms’ For Gifts?
May 8, 2017 at 10:32 am

Have you hit anyone up this week? Have you twisted arms? Have you called in the big guns to help you lean on your best targets? Do those words make you cringe? I sure hope so. Because if they don’t, then you’ve got some serious work to do to reshape the way you think about fundraising...

Nonprofit Helps Veterans With PTSD, Addiction Using One-of-a-Kind Program
May 5, 2017 at 2:15 pm

A new program is helping veterans struggling with substance abuse find renewed hope. "This is something I still battle. This is not gone, it's not going away. Places like this they help me” Dan, a Marine veteran, said. It wasn't long ago that Dan was homeless on the streets of Worcester. After being honorably discharged,…