Winter Wonderland Clairity Click-it: Nonprofit Links, Free Resources
It’s been pretty cold in my neck of the woods, so let’s warm up with a cup of cocoa, coffee or tea and some good reads. I’ve got a lot of great stuff for you this week, so let’s get right to it!
The Clairity Click-it exists to bring you a range of voices from across the nonprofit world so you can resource, learn and digest at your own pace, coming to your own decisions. My hope is some of the free resources I’ve collected and curated for you will energize and enthuse you as you work towards guiding others on the pathway to passionate philanthropy.
As always, I’ve also got a little piece of wisdom to share with you from the inimitable Seth Godin:
“If you don’t ask, you don’t get.”
That’s problematic advice.
Taken to an extreme, it turns us into hustlers.
The alternative is to realize that the best asks are actually offers.
When we offer to help someone get to where they were going, we’re approaching the relationship with generosity, not selfishness.
What work would we need to do to have sufficient skill, insight and reputation to be able to offer someone else a chance to reach their goals? That’s how we get. Not by asking, but by offering.
Always remember to make your ask an offer. Show your supporters the opportunity involved – for them – in becoming more engaged and invested in your mission. Bring them joy, purpose and meaning, and they’ll do the same for you.
As always, a big thank you to my sponsor, Bloomerang, for making it possible for me to spend the hours of time hunting, gathering and choosing the resources I believe will be most useful to you.
It is my sincere pleasure and honor to help you find the ideas, strategies, templates and tools you need to succeed.
Thank you for doing your vital work, and making our world a better place,
Claire
P.S. Please scroll down to see all my Clairification School sponsors who enable me to offer enrollment in ‘Clairification School at an affordable price [NOTE: If the enrollment fee is a hardship, please email me and we’ll work it out.]
Clairity Click-it, Your Nonprofit Ticket to…
SPECIAL FEATURE: Technology as Tool
We’ve been hearing a lot about AI of late, and it’s going to affect all our lives in ways large and small. Wondering how it might affect your work? I’ve put together a small round-up of useful resources.
ARTICLES
Click-it: Is AI Coming for My Fundraising Job? Griff Bohm, co-founder of Momentum (an AI-empowered fundraising tool) writes about this on the Blackbaud Engage blog. And you may not like what he has to say. Because it will take over your job if you let it. But, it also may help you keep the job you have and do it exponentially better. It’s your choice how you use it. Or don’t. Read here about what it can/cannot do. Prepare to leverage it to help you do the genuinely human things you excel at.
Click-it: When Does Human Authenticity Outdo AI In Philanthropy Facilitation? Sometimes the human connection is valuable (i.e., worth the expense of time and money); sometimes, not so much. In this article for Bloomerang I lay out my thoughts on jobs you do that are irreplaceable by an AI-enabled interface, and others that are not. Plus, I suggest some practical applications of human-centered fundraising.
Click-it: AI Myths Debunked: How to Engage Donors With AI for Nonprofits. AI is more than ChatGPT. Learn from Momentum how to combine AI with donor-centric experiences that help create personalized donor journeys that respond to the needs of each individual donor. To persuade your leaders to get on board, share these 8 debunked myths. You’ll find there are no good excuses for not adopting AI technology – at least if you want to succeed big time. And you do, right?
AUDIO/VISUAL
Click-it: AI-Powered Fundraising 101 [Listen to on-demand webinar]. Join Blackbaud with AI fundraising expert and Dataro CEO/Co-Founder Tim Paris to learn the fundamentals of the future of fundraising. Tim will introduce you to the art and science of using machine learning and new GPT technologies to inform your data selections and answer the fundamental questions in fundraising: WHO should we contact, WHEN should we engage them, HOW much should we ask or which channel should we use, and finally WHAT should we say to build better relationships and drive better outcomes.
Click-it: How to infuse humanity into an AI World [Listen to free, on-demand podcast]. People yearn for less perfection, more connection and authenticity. “The most human company wins.” So says Dana Malstaff on Mark Schaefer’s Marketing Companion podcast. Learn how to blend personal emotional states with AI commands to provide more actionable tasks; create emotional connections with your audiences, and move away from mass marketing or a huge community to a plan where human connection is still possible.
GUIDES
Click-it: Your Guide to AI & Fundraising: Everything You Need to Know. In this guide from Momentum you’ll learn about types of AI and how it’s employed in fundraising, discover the benefits of AI, the considerations to keep in mind when leveraging AI, and how you can get started with the right tools. It’s divided into seven sections so you can jump right to the content that most interests you.
ARTICLES
Annual (Year-Round) Fundraising
Click-it: 100+ Fundraising Statistics and Insights You Need for Success in 2025. It’s always good to know the fundraising trends and environment in which you’re operating. Not only does it help you craft winning strategies, but also makes you look smart and authoritative to the “powers that be.” Eventgroove has boot together a comprehensive road map for you.
Click-it: Here’s what unsuccessful fundraising looks like. I love this perspective from Jeff Brooks of Future Fundraising Now (complete with compelling visual). If you don’t do something proactive to align yourself and your worldview with the donor’s worldview, you’ll march along, side by side, but never connecting. Think about it.
Click-it: How to Craft the Perfect “Pitch” for Your Nonprofit [Register for free mini-webinar, 2-12-2025]. Join Nonprofit Tech for Good to learn the fundamentals of a compelling “pitch” or “case for support.” You’ll get help finding 1-3 powerful stories, results, or goals that light a fire in others. And you’ll understand what to do instead of listing stats and programs.
Content Marketing
Click-it: 5 tips for gathering nonprofit annual report content year round. Personal stories from your beneficiaries, leadership, and volunteers explaining how your organization has positively affected them can help paint a picture of your impact. Learn from Storyraise how to identify and gather these stories year-round, so when it’s time for your next annual or impact report you’ll be ready to go!
Donor Retention and Loyalty
Click-it: 4 Stewardship Strategies to Strengthen Donor Relationships. Julia Campbell, Marketing for the Modern Nonprofit,. shares how to thank your donors strategically. Supporters want to feel like valued, integral members of your nonprofit’s community—not just ATMs with legs. To this end, your organization’s appreciation efforts should be part of a larger stewardship plan that strives to build individual, lasting relationships with each of your donors.
Events
Click-it:. Immerse Guests in Mission + Watch Fundraising SOAR! Check out these “show and tell” suggestions from the auction and event experts at Auctria. They advise leaning heavily into technology to put your best foot forward and leave a lasting impression.
Major and Legacy Gifts
Click-it: Value Over Time. This article on the Veritus Group blog looks at why so many fundraisers leave, and the value that’s lost over time as a result. If you want to avoid falling into this pit, read the reason folks leave and consider what you might be able to do about it.
Click-it: 2025 Planned Giving Calendar: Dates to Celebrate and Engage Your Donors [Download free guide].This comes from the planned giving experts at Stelter, but you can use this as inspiration to send a little kindness to any of your supporters throughout the year. Consider it a springboard for some creative donor love brainstorming!
Strategy and Management
Click-it:. Dealing with Chaos: Three Steps to Take Right Now. Ground yourself by focusing on the fundamentals. Gail Perry suggests looking at (1) transparent, robust communications; (2) board governance procedures, and (3) drawing donors closer.
Trends and Headwinds
Click-it: Civil Society Isn’t Prepared for Trump’s Attacks. Here Are Steps to Take Now. This Chronicle of Philanthropy opinion highlights how trivial lawsuits and endless audits can quickly hinder nonprofits’ ability to operate.
WEBINARS, PODCASTS, CONFERENCES & ON-DEMAND AUDIO RESOURCES
If you can’t attend live, or are interested in sessions happening at overlapping times, note many are available via recording – but ONLY if you REGISTER!
Online and Digital Fundraising and Marketing
Click-it: Smart Data, Smarter Outreach: Live Demo & Strategy Session [Register for free presentation, 2-13-2025]. Join James Martin, Rally Corp founder, to learn how to access and activate high-quality, AI-enriched data to power your outreach and marketing efforts. Learn how to segment and personalize outreach for better engagement across multiple platforms.
Strategy, Management and Leadership
Click-it: Nimble Nonprofits – How to Communicate and Cope in Times of Crisis [Register for free 3-day series, 2-11 t0 13, 2025]. Just when you need it most, Firespring has put together this three-day webinar series designed to provide expert insights, practical strategies, and a supportive community to help you move forward with confidence in the current challenging climate. Each session will equip you with the tools you need to communicate effectively, tell your organization’s story with clarity and impact, and cultivate resilience in the face of uncertainty. A different expert will present each day.
Click-it: Building a Resilient Fundraising Program: Strategies for Navigating Uncertainty [Register for free webinar, 2-27-2025]. This year’s unpredictability may make it challenging to obtain grants and government funding. But, don’t let uncertainty derail your fundraising efforts. Join me and Griff Bohm, co-founder of donor engagement platform, Momentum, for a timely webinar on building a resilient fundraising strategy.
DOWNLOADABLE GUIDES, PAPERS, TEMPLATES & OTHER RESOURCES
Psychology of Giving
Click-it: The Behavioral Economics Nonprofit Playbook [Download free resource] from the Veritus Group. I love this definitive guide that bridges the gap between the theoretical world of behavioral economics and the pressing needs of nonprofit fundraising. Discover 32 behavioral concepts, each unpacked with clarity and backed by real-world examples and experiments.
Strategy and Management
Click-it: Metrics for Measuring Your Next Fundraising Campaign [Read free guide] from the Nonprofit Report Card. This lays out all the key performance indicators (KPIs) for fundraising campaigns of every stripe. If you’re new to this, you’ll find this invaluable. For everyone else, it’s a terrific review.
Did You Miss My Newest Articles?
Here are links to the most recent articles on the Clairification blog. Remember, your goal is not simply to squeeze money out of people. It’s to give donors a squeeze and a hug for being caring and generous. This will make them feel good, which will move them to continue sticking with you.
How to Fuel a Donor Journey that Yields Major Gifts
10 Common Nonprofit Major Gift Asking Mistakes to Avoid
Major Donor Conversations: Promise Contrary to Pitch
How to Build a Major Donor Program from the Ground Up
The Huge Mid-Level Fundraising Opportunity You’re Missing
How Humanity and Trust Supercharge Nonprofit Fundraising
Finally… if you have a question, any question…
Check out my free fundraising advice column on the Bloomerang blog! Ask your question here. And bookmark the Ask an Expert page for any time you have a question! Here’s one: If Donors Giving From Donor-Advised Funds Want Anonymity, How Do You Cultivate Them?
REMINDER for Clairification School students: Don’t forget to log in to your “My Clairification/Subscriber Dashboard/Monthly Tips” to grab your exclusive, timely tips for each month. FEBRUARY TIPS are live. Your support is much appreciated, and helps me to support you. Thank you!
And now, as Valentines Day approaches, some found heart art from sidewalks, walls and streets that brought me joy.
Go forth and fill the world with the love and joy needed now more than ever. And please support my extraordinary sponsors (see below). The Clairity Click-it content is free, and Clairification School is affordable, because of their generosity.
