Windmill Hill Consulting

A fundraising development plan is the antidote to uncertainty within the nonprofit world. They serve as roadmaps to set fundraising priorities and effectively utilize all the resources at your fingertips. But what else can fundraising development plans do for you? 👉 It can help to create stronger donor engagement. 👉It will set the stage for receiving major gifts from donors. 👉A fundraising development plan will lay the foundation for tomorrow through ongoing learning and iterating. 👉Through time, this plan will rely on data-informed planning for the following years of fundraising. 👉It is a great way to show your board members good fundraising practices. Using a fundraising development plan also leads to increased revenue, increased donor retention, and can create a higher likelihood of staff retention. With a development plan, you can see around corners to better anticipate factors that may affect revenue. If you’d like to create a fundraising development plan for your nonprofit, reach out today! #fundraisingsuccess #fundraisingtips

The Giving USA Annual Report was recently released showing that giving in 2023 declined ever so slightly--2.1% adjusted for inflation. That's the headline. There are more details in the fuller report. ➡️This doesn't mean the sky is falling. Estimated giving to #nonprofits is still nearly half a trillion (with a "t") dollars. ➡️It's also easy to dismiss the report because it's not tracking all the other forms of generosity we see to individuals, mutual aid societies, other crowdfunded purposes. The report is clear in what it tracks. There are also a number of other great resources which together can help #fundraisers and #nonprofit leaders understand the ecosystem in which they're operating. ➡️It's also easy to ignore the report because "the results don't apply to my nonprofit." If you are fundraising, then it's important to understand broader trends to learn how to apply those to your organization. These are just three things we keep hearing each year with the release. Barbara O'Reilly, CFRE will be joining Erik Tomalis 🦬, Cherian Koshy, and T. Clay Buck, CFRE TOMORROW for a webinar hosted by Virtuous, "Key Takeaways from the 2024 Giving USA Report" at 1pm ET. They'll be talking about the key highlights from 2023 trends they saw, why reports like this are important, and what to do with the information to improve your #fundraising, and much, much more. This conversation is going to be a good one. Register here: https://lnkd.in/dk-TDsZC #nonprofitfundraising #charities #philanthropy

Did you know there are multiple types of fundraising? And not just the platform in which you fundraise, but with the people you are asking for donations from! Most people think fundraising is asking for contributions from strangers, but there’s another form of fundraising you can utilize. Peer-to-peer fundraising is a method where instead of reaching out to strangers, you reach out to people you know. You can host campaigns to collect donations from your friends, family, and colleagues on behalf of your nonprofit. While it may feel daunting or inappropriate to ask friends, family, or colleagues for money, remember that it is for a good cause. And, you know them on a personal level so you know what will and won’t appeal to them, and building a donor-based relationship with them as well! #fundraisingtips #fundraisingtip

The livelihood of any fundraiser depends on its dedicated supporters. They fuel the mission that allows your organization to make a difference in the world. While getting new donors is just as important, you want to nurture your existing donors and encourage them to increase their giving. You may be asking yourself though, “Apart from them giving more, why else should I focus on my existing donors?” Here’s why: 👉 Upgraded gifts directly translate to a more robust financial foundation. It’s less expensive to nurture existing relationships than it is to build new ones 👉 You foster a deeper connection with your donors, which translates to long-term commitments from your donors. 👉 Their feedback provides valuable insight to help you improve your program. Focusing on these upgrades makes your supporters feel valued and know that their contributions are making a difference within your organization. Remember, every donor is an opportunity to grow. By focusing on your existing donors, your nonprofit will thrive and have more people dedicated to supporting your mission. #donorengagement #donorfundraisingtips

The lifeblood of any nonprofit lies in its dedicated supporters. They are the heroes who fuel your mission, allowing you to make a real difference in the world. But just like any garden, a donor base needs constant care and cultivation. While acquiring new donors is important, nurturing existing relationships and encouraging them to increase their giving – otherwise known as upgrading – is equally crucial for long-term sustainability.

The nonprofit world is competitive and staff bandwidth is often limited and overstretched. This can make fundraising throughout the year difficult, but there is a way to combat these obstacles. How you may ask? With a fundraising development plan! A fundraising development plan is a strategic roadmap that guides nonprofits toward achieving their fundraising goals. Typically, fundraising development plans outline multi-year approaches for cultivating donors, securing financial resources, and maximizing long-term sustainability. With a fundraising development plan in place, not only is more money raised, but there is greater fundraising culture, more data-informed planning, more involvement from board and staff members, and commitment to sticking with the plan. Reach out today to learn more about creating a fundraising development plan! #donorengagement #donorfundraisingplan #donorfundraising

It takes little to be big. Thats the motto I’ve seen cast everywhere here at the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America national conference. And every time I saw that phrase today, it has made me pause to reflect. 120 years ago, BBBSA was founded as a radical approach—using mentorship as a transformative societal solution. Today, that solution is needed more than ever. Of the 50 million school aged kids, only 10 million had or have a positive mentor while facing generational barriers. Far too many kids are living in or near poverty; facing a widening educational gap; dealing with mental health struggles in a post pandemic world. Our communities are more disconnected. And that’s why mentorship—being a Big to Little—is life changing. I was blown away today hearing more about this incredible organization’s work, impact, and big vision. And Artis Stevens is a true powerhouse leader on a mission to lead this national organization to transform even more lives of young people. It was an honor to play a little role in their conference sharing what I’ve learned about #boards and #fundraising and how to create stronger fundraising champions and teams. Huge thanks to Deborah Barge, CFRE, Tammie McAfee, CMP, Marisa G. and the entire BBBSA conference team for putting on an impressive conference and inviting me to be a small part of it. #bebig #nonprofitfundraising

Appeals are an essential part of every nonprofit’s fundraising strategy. They carry a lot of weight, putting your cause in front of current and potential donors and convincing them to give their money to you instead of someone else. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to create a compelling message that will resonate with your audience and drive meaningful contributions. 

Need help to hit your fundraising goals despite all your hard work? Our Mastermind Coaching Cohort Program is here to help! Join us for six 1.5-hour sessions where we'll dive deep into the essentials of fundraising growth. Gain coaching, build confidence, and learn new skills to supercharge your efforts. Ready to elevate your fundraising game? Click the link below to sign up for our Mastermind Coaching Cohort! https://lnkd.in/eDFcFbeG

Are you feeling overwhelmed by managing your donors? With the perfect donor data management system, you can effortlessly store donor info, analyze trends, and automate touchpoints to keep your supporters engaged and connected. Discover the benefits of donor data management systems by reading our recent blog below! 👇 #fundraisingtips #donordatamanagement #crm