Give and Take

Cartoon of a fundraiser standing in front of a blackboard labeled "Charitable Remainder Unitrusts," reassuring two confused alumni with the caption: "Now, now. No reason to be intimidated by planned giving… unless you were hoping to get it in under an hour.
Estate Planning
Viken Mikaelian

Host a Planned Giving Seminar?

Think hosting a planned giving seminar will excite donors? Think again. Most people won’t show up because they see it as a fundraising pitch. But when you frame the conversation around estate planning, attendance skyrockets. People care about protecting their family, ensuring their wishes are honored, and avoiding legal headaches—charitable giving follows naturally. Stop pushing planned giving presentations that fall flat. Engage donors the right way. Host an estate planning session instead.

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Major Giver versus minor givers
Major Gifts
Joe Garecht

Are Today’s Low-Dollar Donors Tomorrow’s Major Givers?

Many nonprofits focus on “whale hunting” for major donors while overlooking a powerful long-term strategy—cultivating small-dollar donors into future major givers. A vibrant pipeline of engaged, recurring donors creates a sustainable funding base, and with the right cultivation, some will naturally step up to higher levels of giving. By implementing a structured donor journey, personal outreach, and wealth screening, organizations can transform everyday supporters into major donors who drive lasting impact. The future of philanthropy starts small—but grows big.

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Confused man thinking
Professional Development
Viken Mikaelian

Decoding Nonprofit Job Titles: A Survival Guide

Nonprofit job titles: where modesty goes to die and adjectives multiply faster than rabbits. We’ve decoded the secret language where “fundraiser” transforms into “Vice President of Philanthropic Synergy” overnight. Spoiler alert: fancy titles don’t raise money—skills do. So before updating your LinkedIn with “Supreme Chancellor of Donor Relations,” remember: donors give to people who understand their dreams, not to people who spent three hours designing their business cards.

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An image of a student having a mock job interview to practice for the real thing.
Job Interview
Viken Mikaelian

Mock Job Interviews for Your Dream Job

Preparation for Mock job interview is vital for securing a dream job. Practicing the questions with friends to polish your interview skills, increasing the chances of success.

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Sign that reads: growth begins at the end of your comfort zone
Major Gifts
Joe Garecht

Persistence Pays Off in Major Gifts Fundraising

Major gifts fundraising is a long game that requires patience, resilience, and—most importantly—persistence. Many transformative donations result from fundraisers who don’t give up after the first or second touchpoint. Building genuine relationships, maintaining consistent outreach, and following up strategically can turn prospects into major donors. Whether engaging current supporters or cultivating new ones, persistence ensures no opportunity is lost. Learn how a thoughtful, structured approach to follow-ups can secure significant gifts and long-term donor loyalty.

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