Winter Wonderland Clairity Click-it: Nonprofit Links, Free Resources
June 13th marks the 12th anniversary of the Clairity Click-it Newsletter. That’s 338 issues (whoa!), all chock full of resources I hand select for you from across the web. And nothing I select will cost you a dime! I search assiduously, read every single article before sharing with you, and only select trusted resources for webinars, podcasts, e-guides, papers, reports and the like.
How can I afford the time, you wonder? I can’t! Which is why I have some sponsors to help underwrite what is, mostly, a labor of love. Please scroll down to the bottom of the page to see who they are, and maybe click on their links to learn more about them. They’re all terrific resources for you, and definitely worth your attention. I also want to extend a special shout out to my lead sponsor, Bloomerang, for all they do – beyond just their wonderful product — to help nonprofits make lasting change in their communities and the world.
If you’ve been along for the ride for a while, I hope you’ve gleaned some useful nuggets to help you in your work, and maybe even in your personal life. If you’re new, welcome! I love sharing insights, research and practices from other disciplines, including psychology, neuroscience, behavioral economics, mindfulness, for-profit marketing, and more. If you’ve found this newsletter thought-provoking, educational or just plain practical, please forward it to a curious colleague. They can subscribe here for free.
But why stop here?
ENROLL in ‘Clairification School’ (modest annual charge to cover my costs) and receive access to ALL original articles (including 1,000+ article archive) + exclusive members’ only benefits: bonus content with actionable tips and ‘how-to’s,’ specific monthly tips, access to webinars and podcasts, and generous discounts on products and courses. Get your exclusive member benefits here!
ANNIVERSARY ENROLLMENT SPECIAL:
In honor of this anniversary, anyone who enrolls in Clairification School through the end of this month will receive an additional, meaty (or veggie heavy) BONUS e-guide — “Use Gratitude to Build Relationships that Pave the Way for Future Gifts” — jam-packed with actionable tips.
Thank you for doing your vital work, and making our world a better place,
Claire
P.S. If you’d like to receive all my content, and the $100 Clairification School enrollment fee (under $2/day) is a hardship, let me know. No questions asked. No judgement. I want to help. Period.
Clairity Click-it, Your Nonprofit Ticket to…
SPECIAL FEATURE: The Times We’re In
We’re living through a time of profound change—and nonprofits are feeling it on every level. The ground is shifting underfoot. Donors are reevaluating their priorities. Volunteers are harder to reach. Funders are asking new questions. And leaders everywhere are wondering: What now? What next?
If you’re feeling uncertain, you’re not alone. In the midst of all this complexity, you still have a mission to carry forward—and people counting on you to do it. That’s why I’ll be sharing a series of resources designed to help you adapt with clarity, courage, and compassion. Not one-size-fits-all answers. But tools to help you find your own best path forward. Because the world needs your work.
PODCAST
Click-it: Human-Centered Philanthropy. In this episode of the Nonprofit Lab with Pooya Prorak I talk about the meaning, practice and preference for authentically human-centered fundraising – especially critical in the times in which we find ourselves. It’s all about engaging with curiosity, developing interest, awe, and passion around shared values, listening intently, giving generously, and building genuine transformational relationships grounded in philos (love) + anthropy (humanity). And, as a “philanthropy facilitator,” you match your passion to your donor’s passion and make them feel seen. They matter.
ARTICLES
Click-it: Navigating the Storm: Fundraising Creatively in a Challenging Non-Profit Landscape. Jeff Schreifels of the Veritus Group writes about how nonprofits have always been built on resilience and creativity. And how this is a time to reimagine what’s possible. This article offers 5 specific ways you can navigate these times with imagination and determination.
Click-it: Navigating Uncertainty: What Resilient Fundraisers Do Differently.Alia McKee, Sea Change Strategies, puts the current uncertain landscape into historical context – with a strong note of hope for navigating through disruption with clarity, courage and a fierce commitment to what matters most. Resilience is something that can be practiced, making it possible to sustain clear decision-making and inspire confidence in others, even when external circumstances are volatile.
Click-it: 5 Key Findings From Our Nonprofit Technology Survey. Per this Chronicle of Philanthropy piece, there’s a divide between the technology “haves” and “have-nots” which may dictate who survives as federal funding cuts and financial pressures pulsate through the sector. How much are your leaders discussing tech strategy? If not, you may be left behind.
Articles
Boards
Click-it: 3 Ways to Activate Your Board Like the Future Depends on It. Boards can be annoying, but they can also help you get through very challenging times. This post on the Joan Garry blog makes a case for building, developing and nurturing the board you deserve.
Branding/ Content Marketing
Click-it:. Headline: Headlines Don’t Matter. I always test my headlines. This article from Kevin Shulman, the Agitator-DonorVoice, claims it doesn’t matter as much as I thought it did. However, it still might… in the moment. Feel free to make your own choices.
Donor Retention
Click-it: What Donors Want (And How to Deliver It). Don’t assume you know. Donors are changing. Check out this post by Julie Kennon on the CharityEngine blog. She references a growing body of research showing how much donors want to feel connected, want low-friction ways to give, want you to find them where they are, want you to treat them personally, and want you to help them maximize their impact. Do I want to share, or my own article?
Click-it: Why Do Donors Fill Out Surveys? Wondering if you should send a donor survey? Greg Warner of Market Smart says yes. But only if you plan to follow through, report back and use the information you secured. At the end of the article you’ll find a link to download a free book on engagement fundraising.
Events
Click-it: What are 50/50 Raffles? Your Guide to Fundraising Success! Eventgroove breaks down how a 50/50 raffle works, shares creative 50/50 raffle prize ideas to help you stand out, and gives you practical tips on how to price raffle tickets, build buzz, and host a successful event from start to finish.
Major, Mid-Level, Capital and Legacy Giving
Click-it: Conversational Ask: An Easier Way to Secure Major Gifts. The Gail Perry Group offers a strategy that’s “polite, easy, and almost always successful.” It’s about (1) making ask approaches a 2-way conversation; (2) asking for permission; (3) eliciting the donor’s feelings, and (4) listening more than talking. [If you want more specific, open-ended questions that work like gangbusters, I’ve collected 40 of them here.]
Online and Digital Fundraising and Marketing
Click-it: 3 Evidence-Based Ways to AI-Proof Your Fundraising Emails. Everything NextAfter shares is evidence based, and this article is no exception. Rules recently changed in a way that affects Apple email inboxes. They mean your subject lines, and especially your pre-header text, have become more important than ever. Read and heed. Otherwise, your click-throughs and donation results may be impacted in ways you didn’t anticipate.
Psychology of Giving
Click-it: How to Build and Maintain Trust with Influential Donors. There’s nothing as important as building trust; you must prioritize this at every step in your communications with supporters. Here are some concrete suggestions from Snowball Fundraising.
Strategy, Leadership and Management
Click-it: Experience Is Not Strategy. Kevin Shulman offers food for thought on the Agitator-DonorVoice blog. He makes a great chess analogy, noting that the board has changed and if you’re still making the same moves—from memory—it may be time to reshuffle the pieces.
Click-it: Is a Fractional Fundraiser the Solution to Your Nonprofit’s Problems? Paul D’Alessandro in NonProfitPRO addresses the question: Can a part-time fundraiser do a full-time job? The answer is no. Fundraising is focused, consistent relationship building. Done well, it’s transformative for both the donor and organization. It is decidedly not task-based. Alternative solutions are offered in this article.
Technology as Tool
Click-it: How AI Can Help Your Nonprofit Secure More Major Gifts. The major giving experts at Momentum review three ways AI can help you earn more major gifts, as well as what types of tools to look for and how to use them responsibly. From identifying major giving prospects to stewarding donors, AI can improve how you engage with major donors at every point in their journey with your nonprofit.
Click-it: The power of personalized AI. The name of the game for nonprofits today is personalization and transparency. Here’s a tool that may help, courtesy of the folks at Open AI. With its updated settings, you can tell ChatGPT the traits you want it to have, how you want it to talk to you, and any rules you want it to follow.
Writing
Click-it: 7 fundraising appeal writing forget-me-nots and 5 what-ifs. Brett Cooper, of Fundraising Writing, offers great advice here: 7 elements he almost always includes when writing an appeal and 5 elements he considers in the early planning stages in case he can figure out a good way to use them.
Other Learning Opportunities
WEBINARS, PODCASTS, & 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!
Events
Click-it: Want to Hit Your Event Fundraising Goal? Forecast it First [Register for free webinar, 6-17-2025]. Join Sari McConnell, Donor Boom founder, to learn to build a forecasting model; leverage data to set achievable event fundraising targets; identify and plan for conservative, target, and stretch goals; use your forecast to motivate donors, staff, and board members, and avoid common pitfalls that lead to underperformance. Sponsored by Bloomerang.
Click-it: Event Fundraising Magic: How to Leverage Behavioral Science to Make Giving Feel Amazing [Listen to on-demand webinar]. The fundraising experts at Auctria host this session focusing on the ways to leverage principles from behavioral science research – think emotional responses, FOMO and urgency — to prompt donors to take actions at your auctions and events.
Online and Digital Fundraising and Marketing
Click-it: Marketing Trends Nonprofits Need to Know (and Embrace) [Register for free webinar, 6-17-2025]. Join Kiersten Hill of Firespring to discuss the marketing trends that will shape your nonprofit’s future – storytelling; influencer marketing; digital experiences; automation; SEO and AI.
Click-it: 5 Reasons Why Broadcast Text Messaging is the Future for Nonprofits [Register for free webinar, 6-18-2025]. Join Nonprofit Tech for Good to learn how broadcast text messaging is emerging as an effective, scalable, and cost-efficient solution for nonprofits. They’ll share real-world examples and offer actionable takeaways
Technology as Tool
Click-it: Generative Engine Optimization: Navigating the Future of Search [Register for free 30-minute session, 6-18-2025]. The search landscape is shifting rapidly with the rise of AI-driven platforms like Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE) and tools like ChatGPT. But here’s the good news: the foundations of great SEO still apply — they just need to be adapted for this new era. Learn how from Nexus Marketing.
DOWNLOADABLE GUIDES, PAPERS, TEMPLATES & OTHER RESOURCES
Donor Advised Funds
Click-it: Reinventing the Cycle: Adapting Relationship Fundraising for Donors Who Use DAFs [Free report download]. This comprehensive new report from the DAF Research Collaborative should be a game changer for your nonprofit. There are billions of dollars – all pre-allocated for philanthropy – and you don’t even need to convince these donors to give. They’ve already given! All you have to do is persuade them to give to you. I will be talking a lot more this year about the DAF opportunity that awaits, but for now just check this out. It tells you everything you need to know about why DAFs matter, and what you can do to leverage some of this giving for your cause.
Donor Retention
Click-it: Mission Retainable: Closing the Donor Retention Gap [Download free report]. Bloomerang interviewed both fundraisers and donors to find what motivates donors to give repeatedly; what challenges nonprofits face in keeping donors engaged, and top actionable strategies to foster long-term donor relationships.
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.
Me at my favorite bakery. Notice how it gives me a warm GLOW?
Do You Assume Donors Don’t Want to Be Asked?
The Psychology of Yes: What Every Fundraiser Needs to Master
Curiosity Didn’t Kill These Fundraisers—It Made Them Unstoppable
Balancing Trick: You. Donor. Nonprofit.
How to Stay Relevant—Even If You’re Not Saving Lives
Finally… if you have a question, any question…
Ask your question here. And check out my free fundraising advice column on the Bloomerang blog! You can bookmark the Ask an Expert page for any time you have a question. Here’s one: When Can A Nonprofit Without Its 501(c)(3) Status Start Fundraising?
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. JUNE TIPS are live. Your support is much appreciated, and helps me to support you. Thank you!
This week I’m sharing murals I found painted around San Francisco over the past two weeks. The art is constantly changing and evolving to meet the moment.
Please support my extraordinary sponsors (see below). The Clairity Click-it content is free, and Clairification School is affordable, because of their generosity.
I LOVE MY SPONSORS! If you’d like to become one, please reach out so we can have a chat.
