16 Nonprofits That Defy Fundraising Logic – and Make It Work
A new report shows how some groups are raising more by doing away with the position of development director, using people with unconventional backgrounds to raise big gifts, and other surprising strategies.
By Drew Lindsay
Senior Editor, Special Projects
How ‘Lean Start-up’ Helped Double Taproot’s Reach in a Year
The foundation quickly built a website where nonprofits and skilled volunteers find each other.
By Drew Lindsay
Senior Editor, Special Projects
How Charitable Remainder Trusts Can Make Giving Easier for Big Donors
They offer a way for donors to get an immediate tax deduction while still meeting personal financial obligations — like paying for a child’s college tuition.
By Drew Lindsay
Senior Editor, Special Projects
A Bike-athon Looks at the ‘True Cost’ of Raising Money
Pelotonia takes a hard look at what is really bringing in the money and expands its merchandise line.
By Drew Lindsay
Senior Editor, Special Projects
A Tool to Measure the Real Success of a Fundraising Event
How to calculate the true value of your event — after deducting expenses from money raised, and accounting for new donors, major gifts, increased awareness of a cause, and more.
By Drew Lindsay
Senior Editor, Special Projects
U. of Texas Launches Undergraduate Philanthropy Program
Courses on planned giving, major-gift fundraising, annual giving, marketing, and predictive analytics aim to address a national shortage of fundraisers.
By Drew Lindsay
Senior Editor, Special Projects
Bequests Put Conservative Billionaire Richard Scaife Atop List of America’s 50 Biggest Donors
The banking and oil heir left bequests totaling more than $750 million. A little-known theater owner came in second, with $605 million in donations. Read about the trends and some of the most interesting donors.
By Drew Lindsay and Maria Di Mento
Donor Stewardship Matters, but Momentum Can Be Magical for Big Gifts
For Northwestern, cultivating big donors was important, but momentum was magical.
By Drew Lindsay
Senior Editor, Special Projects
Largely forgotten in the fuss over Silicon Valley’s new wealth, New York philanthropy roars back from the recession.
By Drew Lindsay
Senior Editor, Special Projects
These Big Apple philanthropists demonstrate that not every fresh idea is coming from the booming tech corridors on the West Coast.
By Drew Lindsay
Senior Editor, Special Projects