Attending the Nonprofit Innovation and Optimization (NIO) Summit last month was an unforgettable experience! 

The energy was electric, and the opportunity to connect with other nonprofit leaders was invaluable. The summit spared no detail with an incredible Indiana Jones-themed production titled "Generosity Jones and the Holy Grail of Fundraising"—a fun and memorable touch.

And very fitting - don’t you feel like fundraising is always an adventure of its own?

While the summit was packed with insights, one message stood out: optimizing the donor journey is critical, especially as we approach year-end fundraising. Read on to discover a breakdown of some of the things we learned and simple steps you can take to maximize your year-end success.

Forget bake sales and car washes (although, hey, we still love those classics). Have you ever felt like your fundraising toolbox is getting a little…tired? We've all been there. But what if there was a hidden gem, a strategy that could boost your bottom line with the current donor base you already have? 

In this article, we'll shed light on the often-overlooked superpower of life insurance gifts. We'll break down the "hows" and "whys" in a way that's easy to understand and leave you feeling confident and equipped to chat with your donors about this powerful giving option.

So, ditch the fundraising fatigue and get ready to discover a strategy that's as strategic as it is impactful. 

Are hidden friction points in your donor journey causing you to lose valuable supporters? 

In today’s fast-paced world, people are constantly bombarded with distractions and have little patience for complicated processes. Any friction in your donor journey—whether it’s before, during, or after making a donation—could deter potential donors from completing their contributions, leading to missed opportunities for your nonprofit. 

That’s where donor journey optimization comes in. This strategy involves analyzing and improving each step of the donor's journey, from initial awareness to post-donation follow-up.

Are you struggling to find the right investment advisor for your nonprofit? 

You’re not alone. As a former Development Director, I know the overwhelming feeling of navigating the complex world of investments. When your mission’s success is at stake, you may be unsure of where to start and whom to trust with our nonprofit’s financial future.

Do you struggle to stand out on Giving Tuesday?  
Are you worried about donor fatigue at year-end?  
Are limited resources and technology hurdles holding your campaign back? 

As the Nonprofit Development Specialist at Carnegie Investment Counsel, I often hear these concerns. So when NXUnite reached out to me to be a panelist on their webinar, "The Final Push: Preparing for Giving Tuesday," I jumped at the opportunity!  

It was a great event where we shared strategies, trends, and innovative approaches that can help set your Giving Tuesday efforts up for success. I was joined by some seasoned development professionals who have been around the Giving Tuesday block many times: Laurie Hochman, Marketing Director from Auctria, and Kel Haney, Senior Consultant at Donorly. Along with our moderator, Colleen Carol from Nexus Marketing, we shared insights and ideas you can adapt to fit your campaign, including: 

• Effective Giving Tuesday campaign strategies. 
• Tech and tools to support your Giving Tuesday efforts. 
• How to measure impact and success after the day. 

But don’t worry if you missed it. You can watch the recording here or read on. In this article, I’ll share our insights so you can be ready for Giving Tuesday! 

Are you a nonprofit looking to increase your funds and generate additional revenue? Investing or creating an endowment may be something you’ve considered, but you may not know where to start. If you’re asking “what is investment management for nonprofits?” it’s smart to learn more about maximizing your returns while maintaining your charitable mission. In this article, we dive into if nonprofits can invest, why effective nonprofit investment management is important and we offer four tips to help you manage your organization’s funds.

Are you a small nonprofit wondering if you're too small to establish an endowment fund? The truth is endowments are not only for large organizations. Small nonprofits can benefit greatly from setting up a nonprofit endowment fund. In this blog post, we discuss the misconceptions small nonprofits have about endowments and the benefits they can provide for financial stability, sustainability and attracting donors.

In our last post, we discussed what the great wealth transfer is and why your nonprofit should start preparing now. Here are five ways to prepare for the great wealth transfer so you can maximize your potential donations.

In the upcoming decades, older generations are expected to pass on the largest amount of wealth in history. This wealth will be left to younger generations, taxes and nonprofits, changing the landscape of philanthropy in more ways than one. If your nonprofit isn’t prepared for this shift in paradigm, you will find it more difficult to raise the funds you need. In this article, we discuss what the great wealth transfer is and why you should begin preparing now.