Articles Index

How to Write a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) to a Foundation

Many foundations now prefer that your nonprofit send a letter of inquiry (LOI) rather than a full grant proposal. Here are the elements that should be included and a sample of a letter of inquiry

5 Ways to Really Annoy Your Baby Boomer and Older Donors

It is so important that we not offend our baby boomer and older donors by using language that demeans them. Here are five things to avoid when asking baby boomers and senior donors to give to our causes.

Giving Internationally Through a Charitable Gift Account

A charitable gift account is set up through a national charitable fund (often called a donor-advised fund). It is a way anyone who can contribute $5,000 or more to help support worthy charities in a safe, easy manner.

Donor-Advised Funds: Democratized Philanthropy

Donor-advised funds are charitable giving accounts offered by a sponsoring charity that are designed as an accessible, simple, and less expensive alternative to private foundations.

Why People Don't Give to Our Causes

Researchers have found that there is a darker side to our altruism. Sometimes we don't give to compelling causes, or we don't give as much as we could. Explore the reasons why, and how fundraisers can cope.

Getting Your Grant Proposal Budget Right

For many writers of grants, the budget component can be very intimidating. However, knowing some basic principles of writing grants, such as how costs are presented, can make writing grants less stressful.

Donation Thank You Letter Examples

Thank you letters to donors not only seal the deal, but also cultivate donors for future donations. These examples are good models to follow.

Tips for Nonprofit Charity Contests

Ask any nonprofit who has participated in an online charity contest will tell you that it's not a sure thing. But, as contests take their place among fundraising tools, the list of tactics that work grows longer. Here are tips from three social media experts with experience with charity contests.

Should You Pay to Volunteer Abroad?

Many of us, when we first think about volunteering, think that it should be enough that we give our time. Why should we pay for the privilege of volunteering? The truth is that it is commonplace to pay your own expenses when you volunteer abroad. Those expenses include airfare, meals, and lodging.

New 990 Makes Nonprofit Fundraising Registration Unavoidable

Some nonprofits have been flying "under the radar" when it comes to registering to fundraise outside their home states. This is no longer possible.

How to Avoid the Nonprofit Leadership Gap: Reaching the Next Generation

The coming leadership crunch in nonprofits has been in the news for some time. The retirement of the baby boom generation plus the explosive growth of nonprofits in recent years promise a disaster for nonprofits as they look for new leadership.

Helping Charity One Step at a Time

Running, walking, or biking for charity is such a great idea. It only takes a few hours at most, you get to raise money for a good cause, and you can improve your own health...all at the same time.

Government Grants: What Grant Writers Need to Know

Seeking government grants can be very different than finding and applying for grants from foundations. Find out how the government handles grants and where to find them.

A Donor's Guide to Global Emergencies

Somalia is the hot spot right now, but there are more than enough emergencies around the world today. We all want to help but are sometimes confused about how.

How to Write Nonprofit Mission Statements

Follow these tips to make the most of your mission statement. Writing a good mission statement is not hard, but it does take care and attention to the details.

Six Ways to Make a Donor Thank You Letter Better

Donors love thank you letters. A good thank you letter, promptly sent, is a sign to the donor that your charity is well organized and worthy of more donations.

How a Nonprofit Job Is Different from a For-Profit Job

There are some things potential employees seeking work in the nonprofit world might not think of when they are considering a sector change.

Measuring Your Nonprofit's Results

It is more important than ever to measure and report your results to your supporters. Donors look for concrete results before they invest in your organization, and foundations want to see that you are effective before they give you a grant.

Marketing Your Nonprofit Online

It is no longer a question of is your nonprofit is marketing online. It's really about how effectively you're doing it. Here is a guide that will help you get beyond the basics.

Content Ideas for Your Nonprofit Website

Expand your ideas about what content you can put on your nonprofit's webpage. Here are some ideas and a bundle of examples from leading nonprofit organizations.

10 Tips for Writing a Great Annual Report

Annual reports can help you demonstrate your accomplishments to current and future donors, cultivate new partnerships, and recognize important people.

How to Write a Cover Letter for Your Grant Proposal

Your cover letter for your grant proposal is the most important part of your proposal package. Use these tips to make it perfect.

The Right Volunteer in the Right Job

How do you motivate volunteers? First, understand that motivation will come from the volunteer, not you. Your job is to find out about their personality type and interests.

Young vs Older Donors: Who is More Generous?

The Millennial generation seems to be the most altruistic in terms of intentions, but are charities asking them as often as they do older generations?

How Nonprofits Can Measure Outcomes and Why They Should

Outcomes is the new mantra of the nonprofit world. But what does that mean and how can your nonprofit learn how to measure results and then report them properly? A new book explains the nuts and bolts of outcomes management.