News/Blog

by Amethyst A. Rodriguez
Institutional Giving Officer, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

“Charity is writing a check for a cause you care about. Justice asks more of us. It means investing your money, time, knowledge, and relationships to challenge — and change — the very systems that make charity necessary.”

by Jason Ellinger, Founder
Beard & Bowler

We walked into the ballroom
at AFP Fundraising Day in NYC
with nothing but a plan, a camera
crew, & a deadline no one could pause.
Four hours later, 1,120 nonprofit leaders
would be watching a story they hadn’t
seen yet because we hadn’t filmed it.

by David Langton
President, Langton Creative Group

We see AI being employed everywhere. Yet, not all AI and tech upgrades are better for your donor base. Here’s expert advice from marketers, strategists, and practitioners in fundraising communications on how to effectively build your audience without alienating your key donors. So often, we lose track of our own expertise and use AI and technology to create barriers instead of building bridges. Howard Levy, president of Red Rooster Group, says, “AI can enhance your expertise if you know how to use it. You're not just writing emails or managing social media. You’re telling stories that connect people to a cause. You're raising dollars that change lives. That requires insight, empathy, and creativity. And AI — when used right — can help you do more of that, better and faster.”

by Jennifer Mignarri
Customer Success Manager, RelPro

In today’s fundraising environment, stability feels increasingly elusive. Nonprofits are grappling with shrinking government support, rising operational costs, and a growing dependence on a small circle of individual donors. As economic headwinds persist, savvy development professionals are facing a critical question: How can we future-proof our fundraising strategy?

by Gregory Boroff
Chief External Relations Officer | External Relations, City Harvest

This article is adapted from Gregory Boroff 's acceptance speech for the Ralph E. Chamberlain Award presented at AFP NYC Annual Meeting in February.

by Anton Lipkanou
President and Partner, Delve Deeper

A Tipping Point for Digital Fundraising
The nonprofit sector is quietly approaching a cliff. While fundraising headlines often focus on major gifts, high-profile campaigns, or new digital tools, a more foundational crisis is unfolding just below the surface: the gradual collapse of the donor pyramid. Individual giving, which has historically been the bedrock of nonprofit revenue, is weakening at its foundation.

by Tracy Marshall
Executive Director of Search Practice, Senior Vice President, Principal, Development Guild

Attracting and hiring great leadership candidates is a constant challenge for the nonprofit industry. Retaining top talent can be even harder and both require creative, strategic solutions. 

by Craig H. Shelley
President, Fundraising and Strategy Services, Carey & Co.

This morning more than 1,000 fundraisers and nonprofit leaders are gathering in Times Square for Fundraising Day New York. Whether you’re here with us at the Marriott Marquis or cheering from afar, I want you to feel part of the day and of this community.

by Olivia Tranfo
Strategic Account Executive, Windfall

The economic landscape is rarely static, but recent trends suggest a period of significant transition for the United States. While some indicators point to cooling inflation, the Federal Reserve's cautious stance on interest rate cuts, coupled with shifts in government spending, stock market volatility, and evolving consumer behavior, paint a complex picture of today’s economy. This blog post examines key economic indicators and their potential impact on high-net-worth households, as well as the impending transfer of wealth from one generation to the next.

by Thomas E. Moore, III, Exec. Director, American Friends of the Louvre and
Joshua Bell, Director of Development, American Friends of the Louvre

Known as the Great Wealth Transfer, Baby Boomers—and to a lesser extent, the Silent Generation—are currently passing down an unprecedented amount of wealth to younger generations, notably Generation X and Millennials (“next gen”). While this is not the first time there has been a major generational transfer of wealth, it is the largest in size, with some estimates as large as $84 trillion in assets being passed down. As younger donors rise into positions of philanthropic influence, they bring with them new values, expectations, and giving behaviors. In response, nonprofit leaders must not only continue stewarding long-time donors but also adapt to cultivate emerging prospects in a rapidly shifting environment. Meeting this moment successfully demands a strong, trusting, and dynamic relationship between an organization’s Executive Director (ED) and its Director of Development (DoD).