Perhaps as you’re wrapping up another year of fundraising you’ve noticed your database isn’t quite as automated as you would like, the fees on your donation apps are not ideal, or maybe your donor contact efforts could be more targeted. In short, you’ve been thinking of getting or upgrading your fundraising software.

You may have even looked online at a few options (and found this blog!). But there are so many apps and feature lists to sort through, each one promising the moon. It can be hard to make a simple choice and you’ve got a lot to do. You want simple, practical, and affordable.

So, in the spirit of simple, we’ve come up with three easy steps to help you figure out what online fundraising tools, software, apps, platforms, or widgets will help you streamline your fundraising efforts and empower your nonprofit to soar even higher.

Most nonprofits rely on the generosity of donors for a majority of their funding. It’s the primary way organizations pay bills, employ staff, and steer their impact in the world! That means fundraising is a necessary (and massive) undertaking… but it doesn’t have to feel like a “necessary evil”!

Great fundraising can (and should) be a learned skill. Sure, many development professionals are naturally skilled in the fundraising department, but excellent fundraisers take the time to hone their craft— and they back their skills with a strong fundraising plan that equips volunteers for success and cultivates a stronger, sustainable organization.

We know that time, energy, and money are precious for development professionals, so we created this nonprofit fundraising guide to help you build a fundraising plan that fits your nonprofit’s strengths and mission.

As a busy development professional, you have a lot to do, a shoestring budget, and not a lot of time to do it all. We know the internet is overflowing with nonprofit marketing strategies and quick tips to increase your reach, and it can be challenging to narrow it down to the must-know information.

What you need most is easy, efficient, and effective online marketing solutions that you can put in place for your nonprofit now. We have good news: you’re likely already doing half of it!

As "It's the most wonderful time of the year!" rings through the media these days, end-of-year giving campaigns are in full swing, and churches worldwide are working hard to reach their fundraising goals. Many churches and nonprofits, in general, depend heavily on this season of charitable giving for year-round financial stability.

Your church needs a plan to take full advantage of the year-end giving spirit. It doesn't need to be a complicated plan, but you know how the saying goes, "failing to plan is planning to fail." A little extra preparation and forethought (and the right tools) can really inspire generosity in your congregation!

Don't worry; we've got a basic year-end giving checklist that will help make your church fundraising a smashing success (and some tools to help you implement your plan with ease)!

Whether you're a small nonprofit just starting out or an established organization with a fabulous fundraising team, it's essential to familiarize yourself with what a development department is and how to build an effective team. We've put together 5 tips to help you assess your current fundraising needs and build (or expand) your development department appropriately. This process can also help you set fundraising goals for the coming year--so it's a win-win!