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Ignite Connection: Transforming Passive Participants into Passionate Partners

In their decades of working alongside organizations to create stronger cultures of philanthropy and raise more major gifts, Managing Director Kerry Bartlett, MBA, CFRE, and Director of Marketing and Communications Becky Brandt embrace the process of helping close stakeholders discover the deeper meaning and power of their organization’s core values and brand. In this blog post, Kerry and Becky share examples of ways guided values and branding discussions can lead to elevated philanthropic commitment and greater impact.

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Looking Ahead: What 2026 Tax Changes Mean for Philanthropy and Why We’re Still Optimistic

In today’s uncertain economic climate—marked by significant cuts to government spending, high interest rates, fluctuating markets, and cautious consumer spending—nonprofit leaders are asking: How do we continue to fundraise effectively in an uncertain economy? Fortunately, history offers both insight and hope. Drawing from decades of experience navigating economic crises, Bob Carter, CFRE, and Steve Higgins, CFRE, have distilled powerful, time-tested strategies into opportunities for organizational growth and deeper donor relationships.

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Resilient Giving: Applying Carter’s Fundraising Wisdom in Today’s Economy 

In today’s uncertain economic climate—marked by significant cuts to government spending, high interest rates, fluctuating markets, and cautious consumer spending—nonprofit leaders are asking: How do we continue to fundraise effectively in an uncertain economy? Fortunately, history offers both insight and hope. Drawing from decades of experience navigating economic crises, Bob Carter, CFRE, and Steve Higgins, CFRE, have distilled powerful, time-tested strategies into opportunities for organizational growth and deeper donor relationships.

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First Day

Your First 30 Days as the New Director of Development

If you are a first-time or newer Director of Development, you are certainly eager to make an immediate impact, impress your team, and identify which strategies will drive your organization forward. With so much to tackle, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. What should take priority? Managing Director Ben Hoke has shared his playbook designed to help you navigate the first month in your new role and make meaningful progress right from the start.

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3 Essential Governance Qualities that Maximize Impact

The board governance model requires constant effort, participation, attention and refinement to make it the best form of leadership for our organizations. In David Butler’s 40-plus-year career, he has found organizations that commit to and focus their efforts on the following three essential qualities of governance practices maximize their leadership function and resulting impact. Here are his thoughts on these critical qualities, as well as some tips you can use to build on them at your organization.

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