The Downside of the 90/10 Rule in Fundraising

If you’re afraid to look at your 401(k) balances lately, join the club.  The stock market has been in a rut (officially called a trading range) for many months now, and your balance is likely to be significantly lower than it was two short years ago.  Rising interest rates have been blamed for everything from […]

5 Factors to Strengthen Your Fundraising Feasibility Study

A road sign pointing to a Fundraising Feasibility Study

Fundraising feasibility studies are the foundation for a successful capital campaign. So, starting a fundraising campaign without one is akin to starting a road trip without a map – it will be challenging to reach the desired destination. Convergent Nonprofit Solutions has a proven process for conducting feasibility studies. Our approach has fueled the structure […]

Leveraging Your EOY Fundraising Data for Campaigns

Jar of hearts representing contributions to an EOY fundraising review

In Q1, nonprofits, chambers, and economic development organizations should review their 2022 giving data in an EOY fundraising review. It is essential to identify critical insights into year-end gifts that could lead to long-term investor relationships and future contributions. In a previous blog, Turning Data into Dollars, Convergent’s General Manager Brian Abernathy referenced real examples of organizations […]

The Importance of Outcomes in Today’s Fundraising

Outcomes-Based Fundraising

As we watch the national economy–and each of our own communities–grapple with the pandemic, nonprofits cannot lose sight of the element most crucial to their sustainability and even survival: Investable OutcomesTM. In our Emerge Ready: Fundraising During and After COVID-19 webinar, we shared the results of a survey of nonprofit leaders. Our research showed that […]

Lessons for Economic Developers from the COVID-19 Crisis

Economic development for recovery

What makes an economic development organization more or less effective in times of crisis? Reflecting on her education in natural disaster mitigation and management, Christa Franzi from Camoin 310 talked to the Economic Development Council of Maine (EDCM) about the things that economic developers are being called to do as the COVID-19 crisis continues, and lessons […]

A Feasibility Study: The First Step to Fundraising in Uncertain Times

Economic Development Feasibility Study First Step

I recently spoke on our podcast with four members of our Convergent team about their experiences during the Great Recession of 2008-2010. Senior Project Director Doug Croft was running the Thomasville Chamber in North Carolina and Senior Project Director Dennis Hinkle led the Greater Burlington Partnership in Iowa at that time. Both were involved in capital campaigns for their […]