Giving thanks: How an exceptional thank you is critical for retaining your donors

Etiquette guru Emily Post might advise that it’s never wrong to send a written thank you, but a surprising number of nonprofits and charities forget this simple courtesy — or do it badly — without recognizing the consequence to the...

Celebrating #GivingTuesdayCA with an #UNselfie

What is GivingTuesday? Most people know about Black Friday and Cyber Monday...now GivingTuesday is coming to Canada on December 2, 2014. It is a new Canadian movement for giving and volunteering, taking place each year after Cyber Monday. The “Opening...

Investing in the nonprofit sector: The Social Impact Bond makes its Canadian debut

This past May, Saskatoon became the first city in Canada to embark on an innovative project between government, investors and a nonprofit organization. As pioneers of the country’s social impact bond, all eyes are now on Saskatchewan’s largest city to...

Focusing on shared value: The changing nature of nonprofit and business partnerships

It wasn’t that long ago that nonprofits and charities had the corner on doing social good, and their relation to businesses simply revolved around asking them for money. In the last few years, however, the relationship between nonprofits and businesses...

Storming the CASL: Are you ready for Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation?

Is your organization ready to move into the Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) age? As most nonprofits are likely aware, one of the strictest anti-spam legislative environments in the world is set to come into force on July 1 of this...

Ten key steps to creating an extraordinary event

Many charitable organizations host one or more fundraising events during the year. If your organization intends to do so, there are many things to keep in mind as you begin to plan. Here are ten things you can do to...

Taking the plunge: Employee giving campaigns in your nonprofit organization

While many of us spent New Year’s Day relaxing, Michael Messenger, executive vice-president of World Vision Canada, donned an orange tutu and ran into Lake Ontario for World Vision’s annual Courage Polar Bear Dip that raises money for Rwandan water...

Getting into the Spirit of Giving with GivingTuesday

December traditionally leads the way as the biggest fundraising month for Canadian nonprofits and charities. So what better way to kick off the season of giving than with an entire day devoted to giving back in your community? That's what...

The Raiser’s Edge Revealed: Tips for new users

Ah, The Raiser’s Edge - that pillar of software that commands our fundraising lives. For most of us, the mere mention of it can send us into panic mode, triggering a grimace of frustration, anger or despair. Heralded for its...

Would your grant request approach make the grade?

Charities present many grant requests to our donor board. It gives us an opportunity to better understand them and how we can help them achieve their goals. The crucial question, however, is: On presentation day, will your organization have the...