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Picture this: you’ve been handed a fundraising CRM that looks like it was designed in 1998 by someone who hated buttons. You’re clicking around, wondering if you accidentally opened Microsoft Excel’s evil twin. Instead of making your life easier, this “solution” feels like another full-time job. If you’ve ever felt that way, you’re not alone. …
Continue reading “How Karani Helps Fundraisers Who Aren’t Tech-Savvy”
Picture this: you’re at a party, and someone introduces you to a friend-of-a-friend. You shake hands, exchange names, and then they immediately ask, “So, can you give me $100?” Yikes. Awkward. That’s what it can feel like when fundraisers jump straight to “the ask” without first building a genuine relationship. And here’s the thing—donor relationships …
Continue reading “What Every Young Fundraiser Needs to Know About Donor Relationships”
Imagine you’ve decided to run a marathon. You lace up your sneakers, jog to the starting line, and—wait. Where’s the route? Where are the water stations? Where’s the finish line? Without a plan, that “run” turns into wandering around the neighborhood until your Fitbit pities you. Fundraising is the same way. Without a clear plan, …
Continue reading “Fundraising for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide”
Picture this: you’re having coffee with a friend, telling them about the amazing nonprofit you’re part of. Just as you’re getting to the big, exciting part, they glance at their phone, nod vaguely, and say, “Sorry—what were you saying?” Sound familiar? Welcome to 2025, where everyone is juggling 47 tabs, three group texts, and the …
Continue reading “How to Keep Donors Engaged in a Distracted World”
Because running a mission shouldn’t feel like running a marathon in flip-flops. Imagine this… You’re halfway through drafting a donor email when a reminder pops up: you forgot to follow up with that major gift prospect. Meanwhile, someone asks if you ever sent thank-you notes from last month’s campaign. (Spoiler: you didn’t.) Then you realize …
Continue reading “5 Ways to Simplify Your Fundraising Workflow Today”
Because awkward doesn’t raise dollars—and confidence does. Picture This: You’re at a dinner party. You’ve just had the best dessert of your life. The host smiles and says, “So glad you liked it. Would you mind throwing $50 my way to help me bake more for the neighborhood?” Cue the record scratch. It’s not that …
Continue reading “The Art of the Ask: How to Teach Fundraisers to Close More Donations”
Fundraising Isn’t Magic—It’s Strategy (And You’ve Got This!) Picture this: You’re at a bake sale. You’ve got the world’s best chocolate chip cookies (family recipe, obviously), but no one’s stopping by your table. Meanwhile, the booth next to you—selling mediocre muffins—has a line around the block. What gives? Turns out, they had a sign that …
Continue reading “The Ultimate New Fundraiser Playbook: Everything Beginners Need to Know”
The First Date Dilemma: Why One-Time Donors Don’t Always Call Back Imagine you’re on a first date. You hit it off—great conversation, shared interests, maybe even a few laughs. But then… radio silence. No follow-up, no “Had a great time!” text, nothing. Would you go on a second date with that person? Probably not. Now, …
Continue reading “How to Turn First-Time Donors into Lifelong Supporters”
Imagine you’re teaching someone to ride a bike. You could hand them a 50-page manual on balance and physics… or you could give them a helmet, a push, and cheer when they stop wobbling. Which approach actually works? The same logic applies to fundraising training. Most programs fail because they overwhelm teams with theory instead …
Continue reading “How to Create a Fundraising Training Program That Sticks”
Imagine you’re at a party. You’ve got something important to say—maybe you’re raising money for a cause you’re passionate about. But instead of telling a compelling story, you just shove a donation link in someone’s face and say, “Give me money.” How well do you think that would go? Not great, right? Yet, that’s exactly …
Continue reading “How to Write Fundraising Emails That Actually Get Read “