Why do we give?

According to recent Ipsos Reid statistics, around 80% of Canadians give to charity every year. That means close to 25 million of us make some sort of philanthropic gesture per annum. It’s an incredible stat.

Governance Q&A: Balancing a community’s needs with your organization’s ability to deliver

A look at the values-based decision-making options available to organizations when facing new opportunities.

The little loan that could: Microcredit yields macro effect

The Global Microcredit Summit is being billed as a watershed event for the microcredit community and will have ramifications for hundreds of millions of people over the next decade. So why might this summit be one of the seminal moments in world history?

Boost direct mail donations without asking for them

How well you steward your direct mail donors is key to whether they will keep giving.

Key ingredients to a successful government grant application

Three key ingredients to add to charities’ formulas for successful business grantwriting

State of the Arts Nation: Philanthropy in Canada’s cultural community

How often does the average Canadian reach into her pocket and make a donation to a favourite arts organization? How are arts organizations expected to thrive when faced with a highly competitive and saturated funding pool and ever-diminishing public funds?

Through donors’ eyes: What donors would like nonprofit organizations to know

We check in with four donors from different parts of the country to find out what motivates them to give and what advice they can offer to help nonprofits be strategic in their ask.

The donor life cycle: Life stages and resulting opportunities

How to work with the donor life cycle to market different gift options to your donors at different times in their lives.

Thanking donors right: Sample thank-you letter for gift or contribution

The most important letter in direct mail fundraising never asks for a donation. Thank-you letters increase donor loyalty, strengthen relationships and increase your chances of receiving more gifts in the future, including major gifts and legacy gifts.

Gifts of life insurance

How to market a donation of life insurance to your constituents.