Fighting Misinformation, Grooming New Leaders, and Unlocking More Giving: Ideas for 2018
Fresh approaches to philanthropy’s urgent problems will be essential in the year ahead. Here are some of the best pieces from The Chronicle’s opinion section to get up to speed on new thinking.
Readers’ Choice: the Most Popular News-You-Can-Use from The Chronicle in 2017
Every week we publish new resources that help you do your job better and more efficiently. Here’s a list of the resources that drew the most clicks from our readers during the past year.
Digital Appeals Are on the Rise, but Nonprofits Still Rely on Mail at Year’s End
Personalizing letters, using matching-gift promotions, and integrating print and online appeals are keys for holiday-season fundraising, experts say.
By Timothy Sandoval
Contributor
Impact Washing, Data Refuges, Big Bets, and More: Philanthropy’s 2018 Buzzwords
Technology and changes in federal policies are behind most of the concepts that nonprofits and donors will be talking about in the year ahead.
By Lucy Bernholz
Contributor
As Tax Changes Loom, Charities Encourage Donors to Give Now
With the tax overhaul looming, many charities are talking about the possible effects of the measure, including potential changes to giving stocks and other issues of interest to supporters.
By Timothy Sandoval
Contributor
Follow Giving Tuesday All Day With The Chronicle
Track charities’ social-media campaigns and big donors’ appeals on behalf of their favorite causes during the sixth annual global day devoted to philanthropy.
By HEATHER JOSLYN and Timothy Sandoval
Lack of Personalized Appeals Means Fewer Donations, Study Suggests
70 percent of Americans surveyed want communications tailored to them, but just over half say they’re satisfied with nonprofits’ efforts, according to a report by Accenture.
By HEATHER JOSLYN
Contributor
8 Behaviors a Nonprofit Should Master
Here’s how to communicate your mission and distinct culture.
By R. Trent Thompson
Contributor
As Giving Tuesday Expands, Nonprofits’ Campaigns Grow More Sophisticated
On deck for this year’s Giving Tuesday: early messaging, more live videos, and new social-media tools.
By Timothy Sandoval
Contributor
Rodents Show Surprising Versatility to Help Fight Tuberculosis
A Dutch nonprofit first employed African giant-pouched rats to sniff out land mines; now they’re helping health officials move faster to identify carriers of TB.
By Megan O’Neil
Contributor
How an Athletics Department Raised More Money With Targeted Mailings
Separating supporters by areas of interest and tailoring messages they receive helped one university raise more money and attract more donors.
By Timothy Sandoval
Contributor
How Nonprofits Can Get Their Messages Heard in the Digital Jungle
Companies are gaining ground in advertising altruism, so it’s time for charities to drop old marketing approaches and adopt new ones.
By Lisa Sherman
Contributor
Lackluster Giving From College Alumni? Communications Campaigns May Be to Blame, Says Report
Less than a quarter of higher-education fundraisers say giving by millennial alumni is rising, and half say its flat, according to a new study. That may be because communications campaigns aren’t aimed at them.
By Timothy Sandoval
Contributor
4 Steps to Clearer Communications
Before year-end fundraising goes into high gear, take stock of your communications by answering key questions, simplifying your message, creating a clear call to action, and spreading the word.
By Elie Jacobs
Contributor
7 Steps to Running a Crowdfunding Campaign After a Tragedy
You have to move quickly, set up efficient communication channels, and find a strong leader.
By Chris Blauvelt
Contributor
A Checklist and Sample Contracts for More Effective Crowdfunding
The University of California at Berkeley is raising hundreds of thousands of dollars a year for its projects, thanks to the guarantees and guidance it gives volunteer fundraisers.
By HEATHER JOSLYN
Contributor