Winter Wonderland Clairity Click-it: Nonprofit Links, Free Resources
“Many organizations have a widget or service, something people already need or want, and they work to sell it to people.
Some seek monopoly power so they can force others to do what they want them to do.
But there’s a third path: we can create a brand or a movement or a community that seeks to do things with people.
A chance to accompany someone on a journey, to lead instead of manage, or to amplify and narrate. When we help people get to where they hope to go, persuasion isn’t as important as enrollment and engagement.”
— Seth Godin
I hope you will use some of the wisdom gleaned in this week’s issue of the Clairity Click-it newsletter to enroll and engage more people. To accompany more supporters on philanthropic journeys. To inspire others to enact their values. To lead. To amplify. To create abundance.
Whatever your role, you’ll find something here to nourish you. So, start digging through the curated content from across the web. I hope it will make your job easier, and more fulfilling. There’s lots to get curious about!
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 eclectic resources I believe will best meet the needs of the diverse range of folks who comprise our critically important social benefit sector.
You’ve got this!
Thank you for doing your vital work, with gratitude,
Claire
P.S. If you’re an enrolled Clairification School student, your SEPTEBER TIPS are live. If you’re not yet enrolled, there’s no better time.
Clairity Click-it, Your Nonprofit Ticket to…
SPECIAL FEATURE: News You Can Use
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Click-it: DonorSearch Acquired by EverTrue to Give Fundraisers More Intelligence, More Capacity, and More Time for Relationships. Last week we learned of the connection of these two AI-powered companies. By uniting DonorSearch’s industry-leading donor intelligence with EverTrue’s engagement capabilities, the combined company will equip fundraisers to surface the right prospects, prioritize their time, and build stronger donor relationships.
ARTICLES
Click-it: The Philanthropic Trap: How Charity Can Legitimize Systemic Problems. This aspirational “what if” line from James Lomastro’s article in Nonprofit Quarterly particularly struck me: “Instead of treating social goods as charity, dependent on individual generosity, social rights emerge from collective participation in democratic institutions that organize society around human flourishing.” This article addresses the question: What if philanthropy itself is at times reinforcing social problems?
Click-it: We live with abundance. Philanthropy scarcity is fake news. I appreciate this line from Abigail Oduol, shared on the Community Centric Fundraising blog: “Investment is about trust and belief. Investment is about relationships and risk.” She makes the point there is no scarcity in philanthropy. Because there is no scarcity of vision – and people who want to help bring those dreams to fruition. Nonprofits remind us of who we are when we’re at our best. It’s a joyful perspective amidst a sea of gloom and doom.
Click-it: Burnout Rates Across Nonprofits Are Rising—but Flexible Reporting Could Help. Here’s a call to action for funders to ease up on reporting requirements, giving grantees with limited capacity more time to focus on the work. This comes from the Democracy Fund and appears in the Nonprofit Quarterly. Philanthropy should be an asset, not a roadblock.
WEBINARS
Click-it: 2025–2026 Giving Outlook, Concentrated Generosity: Are We Headed to a Two-Tiered Giving Future? [Register for free webinar, 9-16-2025] Giving was up last year in total dollars, but down in numbers of doors. Generational shifts, digital engagement, and evolving donor expectations are reshaping the landscape. Join this presentation from the Allegiance Group and Pursuant to learn what you must consider moving forward.
Articles
Annual (Year-Round) Fundraising
Click-it: How to Engage High-Dollar Donors for a Challenge Match. This article on the FundraisingIP.com blog explores strategies to identify high-value donors, craft personalized outreach plans, and empower them to lead challenge match campaigns.
Click-it: The Cigar Box Checkout: Why Your Donation Page May Be Killing Your Campaigns. A brilliant piece from Roger Craver, the Agitator-DonorVoice, to read and heed. One HUGE thing nonprofits can do to skyrocket their donation completion? Offer. More. Payment Options.
Donor Advised Funds
Click-it: Every Day You Delay, DAF Dollars Go Somewhere Else. Here’s Part 2 for Bloomerang on the benefits of making DAF giving to you effortless. Your job? To open the door. Be visible. Use every channel. Make it personal. Connect donor values to your impact.
Donor Retention
Click-it: Put Gratitude Front and Center by Creating a Thank You Plan. I could not agree more with this post by Ann Green. Shame on you if you’re not doing ALL of these things. This is what sustainable philanthropy is all about!
Events
Click-it: Wickedly Good Halloween Event Planning + Marketing Tips. Whether you’re planning a haunted hayride, a masquerade ball, ghost tours, or a virtual Halloween dessert-making session, these five tips from the Eventgroove team will ensure your event is the talk of the town.
Click-it: Events are Part of Your Donor Cultivation Cycle. This guest post by Samantha Swain on The Better Fundraising Report shows how to seamlessly incorporate events into your cycle of Ask, Thank, Report and Repeat.
Major, Mid-Level, Capital and Legacy Giving
Click-it: The Role of Wealth Screening in a Major Campaign: A Guide. Wealth screening has its place, yet it’s still just one part of a successful donor cultivation and stewardship strategy. The experts at Virtuous/Momentum break down everything you need to know about the best ways you can understand your donor prospects.
Click-it: Rejection Without Resentment: The Emotionally Intelligent Fundraiser’s Response to “No”. I write about this a lot (see here, here, and here) so was happy to see this take on the Market Smart blog. Dr. Bill Crouch, writing for Market Smart and I are in complete agreement. Rejection doesn’t define your worth. It reveals your resilience. The best thing you can do is practice emotional intelligence. Listen. Breathe. Reflect. Respond. Stay connected. Be human. That’s how you’ll win in the long run.
Click-it: Engaging Major Donors: Multichannel Strategies Using Your Nonprofit CRM. Your most generous supporters want to feel personally connected, informed, and inspired by your mission. Relying on a single channel—like email, phone, or in-person meetings—is no longer enough. The experts at DonorPerfect explain what you can do to create an engaging, seamless donor journey.
Click-it: Why Won’t My Donor Talk to Me? Here’s What You Might Be Missing. A common complaint I hear is it’s frustrating to reach out time and again to donors and never hear back. This article from Jeff Schreifels of the Veritus Group explains why this happens, and what you might do to change things. Or, at least not be frustrated. There’s great wisdom here.
AND EVEN MORE HERE: If you want to become a MASTER of major gift fundraising – a highly valued skill – this might be a great time to consider exploring certification. I highly recommend this Veritus Group course: Certification Course for Major Gift Fundraisers. If you’re the executive or manager, there’s a companion course for you! The next cohort begins October 27th – just in time for 2026 fundraising planning. Register before September 27th and you’ll save $200. At least check it out – it is game-changing!
Psychology of Giving
Click-it: Why Empathy and Creativity Are the Keys to Raising More Money. I’ve got an article on NonProfitPRO this month discussing how empathy can be a powerful tool in unleashing your creativity, and helping you fundraise more effectively. I discuss two types of empathy, and how you can use it to understand what your donor truly wants — meaning, impact, belonging, legacy, etc. When you listen well, you notice the details that allow you to respond with thoughtful, imaginative gestures.
Click-it: Who Is Shining? This article by Steven Screen, the Better Fundraising Co., reminds me of my own recent post: Why People Give to YOU. It’s all about how you make your donors feel. Design your fundraising to help your donors shine.
Storytelling
Click-it: 4 Storytelling Power-Ups for Your Fundraising. Some types of stories raise more money than others. And expert copywriter Jeff Brooks tells you what you need to know on the Moceanic blog. For example, does a “success” story or a “need” story drive more donations? What about a story with lots of detail vs. a simple, more bare bones narrative? Check it out!
Strategy, Planning, Leadership and Management
Click-it:. Succession Planning for Nonprofits: How to Avoid Costly Disruption. Leadership transitions are inevitable—yet many organizations don’t start planning until that leader is already walking out the door. In this blog post for Soapbox Engage, Kat Landis talks about the importance of advance planning for leadership transition and how to do it well.
Click-it: Annual performance reviews suck. Here’s how to make them better. Or maybe we should just ditch them. Vu Le, NonprofitAF, makes a strong case for doing things differently.
Click-it: Why Gen Z Ignores Your Campaigns (and How to Fix It). Gen Z approaches giving differently than its predecessors, and you need to tailor your messaging accordingly. In this guest post on the Fundraising Coach blog, Diana Otero of Bloomerang outlines both what Gen Z’ers are looking for and ways you can build campaigns that meet them where they are. And take them where you (and they) want to be!
Other Learning Opportunities
ONLINE CONFERENCE, WEBINAR SERIES OR COURSE
Click-it: Amplify Impact: Human-Centered AI for Nonprofits [Register for free 2-day virtual conference, 9-15 & 16, 2025]. Join 12,000+ nonprofit professionals at the Fundraising.AI Global Summit. With over 40 speakers to choose from, you’ll learn how to use AI to save time, unlock insights, and amplify your mission—responsibly and beneficially.
Click-it: Generosity Exchange [Register for free 2-day virtual conference, 10-15 & 16, 2025]. Hosted by Neon One, you’ll have access to insightful keynotes and hands-on workshops grounded in real nonprofit stories. You’ll also have access to all session recordings and gain entrée into a large professional network. Plus, you’ll take home some curated templates, checklists, and tools inspired by the Generosity Report and event sessions.
Click-it: Virtual Workplace Fundraising + Volunteering Summit [Register for free 2-day conference, 10-29 and 30, 2025]. Designed by Double the Donation specifically for nonprofits and schools looking to elevate their workplace giving programs, you’ll hear from industry experts and discover proven strategies for growing your fundraising efforts in areas such as: Matching gifts; Volunteer grants; Payroll donations; In-kind donations, and Sponsorships.
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!
Annual (Year-Round) Fundraising
Click-it: Stop Asking, Start Aligning: How Donor Rhythms Beat Default Frequency [Register for free webinar, 9-16-2025]. The “mail more, make more” model is collapsing under its own weight. More appeals don’t expand the pie — they just reshuffle the slices, pulling gifts forward, driving net revenue down, and frustrating the very people you need most. Join the Agitator-DonorVoice team to learn how asking less, and aligning more, leads to stronger relationships — and stronger revenue.
Donor Advised Funds
Click-it: Unlock Major Giving with DAFpay [Register for free webinar, 9-18-2025]. Join 4aGoodCause and Chariot to learn the basics of DAFs, and why they matter more than ever. Also see what the latest data says about DAF giving trends, and grab tips for promoting and facilitating DAF giving to your supporters.
Click-it: Demystifying DAFs: A nonprofit’s guide to unlocking $250 Billion from Donor Advised Funds [Register for free webinar, [9-25-2025]. In this webinar, Justin Wheeler, Funraise CEO and Co-founder, and Mitch Stein, Chariot Head of Strategy and DAF Evangelist, are answering all of your questions about DAFs—complete with data points, examples and anecdotes, and the expert-est of expert explanations.
Events
Click-it: Bright Ideas, Bigger Results: Elevating Engagement & Fundraising at Your Next Gala [Register for free webinar, 9-17-2025]. In this Auctria webinar, Seth Weiner, the Rocktioneer, brings his expert advice and showcases high-impact engagement tools with lots of photos and real examples. Learn the hottest trends, and get tips to drive action with emotional storytelling.
Technology as Tool
Click-it: AI Toolkit for Nonprofits: Strategies and Tools to Fundraise Smarter [Register for free webinar, 9-17-2025]. Discover how to use AI in your fundraising the right way. In this live session, Virtuous Chief AI Officer Nathan Chappell breaks down a clear strategy for choosing and piloting AI, spotlights the ethical guardrails every nonprofit must respect, and hands you field-tested prompts you can copy straight into ChatGPT for prospect research, donor welcome journeys, and lapsed-donor wins. You’ll also receive the “50 Best AI Tools for Nonprofit Success”, a curated guide that presents the 50 Best AI Tools tailored to empower nonprofit organizations in enhancing their mission-driven work.
DOWNLOADABLE GUIDES, PAPERS, TEMPLATES & OTHER RESOURCES
Content Marketing
Click-it: Level Up Your Annual Impact Report [Download free guide]. Get KM Design’s interactive guide and learn the 3 must-haves to level up donor response. graphic designer, Karen McElmoyle explains the “whys” between different story and picture choices.
Donor Retention
Click-it: How To Welcome New Members To An Organization [Read free blueprint]. Wild Apricot offers a 12-point guide to helping newbies feel welcomed and connected. Donor and member retention starts with a good onboarding experience.
Online Fundraising
Click-it: Fundraising Email Template: More Opens, Clicks, and Donors [Read article; download free template].Grab this extraordinarily helpful resource from the folks at NextAfter. The article breaks down 7 key elements that make engaging, persuasive, and effective fundraising emails. And it’s based on learnings from over 7,000 fundraising a/b tests and over a decade of helping nonprofits improve their fundraising and development using email marketing.
Click-it: Definitive Guide to Online Fundraising [Download free resource]. This handbook from Soapbox Engage comes loaded with 30 pages of advice, useful for both expert and novice fundraisers as they navigate the new fundraising world.
Strategy, Planning, Management and Leadership
Click-it: How to Prepare and Lead Your Nonprofit Strategic Planning Process [Read four-part series]. If your team is gearing up to create a strategic plan, this guide from Donor Perfect will walk you through the critical preparation steps—from assessing readiness to engaging stakeholders and outlining a realistic process that aligns with your team’s capacity.
Writing
Click-it:. Heartable Fundraising Writing Book [Download free resource]. This comes from Brett and Julie Cooper, the experts at Fundraising Writing. Learn how and why to make your fundraising writing more heartable.
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.
🏔️Proven Strategies to Climb the Year-End Fundraising Mountain
🔥Top Secrets to Igniting the Philanthropic Fire and Keeping the Warm Glow Burning?
🔍 Fundraising with AI: Surprisingly Fun, Incredibly Effective
😖 Do You, or People You Know, Hate Fundraising? Read This!
🚀 From ‘Resting on Laurels’ to Leading with Vision: A Nonprofit Guide to Moving On
💡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: What to Do When You’re Notified Your Organization is in Someone’s Will
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. SEPTEMBER TIPS are live (Just log in to your Member Dashboard). Your support is much appreciated, and helps me to support you. Thank you!
Here are some things I appreciated over the past couple of weeks. Enjoy!
I think they’re waiting for the bus?
Hoping good fortune is on the way — for you, and for the world.
A joyful spotting of a yarn-bombed tree trunk. Thank you to whoever did this!
This just brought a smile to my face.
May your weeks ahead be filled with happy surprises.
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