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Data Migration: 6 Essentials Nonprofits Should Know

By Lyndal Cairns posted 2 days ago
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For many fundraisers, the demands of data management can detract from building relationships. Messy data is the primary hurdle for 54% of nonprofits trying to extract actionable donor insights. Sound like your nonprofit? If so, it's a sign that your current system—whether it’s a patchwork of spreadsheets or an outdated database—is holding your fundraising back. The most effective way forward is to transfer your supporter information to a new, more robust system. This data migration project is your single best opportunity to clean house, reclaim team time, and gain deeper insights into donor behavior. This guide explores how to transform ...
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December 2025 Class of Certified Fund Raising Executives Announced

By CFRE International posted 30 days ago
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Alexandria, VA, USA (December 9, 2005) – CFRE International announces the most recent class of Certified Fund Raising Executives (CFREs). These 222 individuals join more than 8,200 professionals worldwide who hold the CFRE designation. Individuals granted the CFRE credential have met a series of standards set by CFRE International which include tenure in the profession, education, and demonstrated fundraising achievement for not-for-profit organizations. They have also passed a rigorous written examination testing the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of a fundraising executive, and have agreed to uphold Accountability Standards and the Donor Bill ...
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Creating a Signature Event for Your Mission: 4 Tactics

By Jen Wemhoff posted 12-02-2025
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As fundraising professionals, we’ve all run successful events. But how many of us can say that we’ve built a true signature event —one that becomes synonymous with our mission and grows more impactful year after year? Success at this level of event isn’t just about managing vendors, securing sponsorships, or ensuring attendees have a good time. It’s about building an event that truly reflects your organization’s identity, advances your mission, and delivers sustainable, measurable value over time . A signature event takes deliberate strategy, ethical decision-making , and forward-thinking leadership. Here’s how to go beyond simply planning ...
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Ethical Considerations in Fundraising: Maintain Donor Trust

By Diana Otero posted 11-04-2025
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According to Give.org’s Donor Trust Report , 67.4% of survey respondents rate the importance of trusting a charity before giving as a 9 or 10 out of 10. However, only 22.1% say they highly trust charities. Obtaining and maintaining donor trust requires your nonprofit to consider the ethics of its practices and adjust its fundraising strategy to uphold integrity. This guide will walk through several key ethical considerations so your organization can build a strong foundation of trust with supporters and continue to thrive. Respecting Donor Privacy Donors provide your organization with sensitive data, such as their payment information and addresses. ...
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How to Convert One-Time Donors Into Recurring Supporters

By Phillip Schmitz posted 10-07-2025
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For nonprofits, financial stability is both critical to fulfilling mission-centric work and difficult to secure from unpredictable funding sources. Sustainable fundraising requires not only acquiring donors but also retaining their long-term support. Recurring donations provide predictable income that can smooth out fluctuations in seasonal giving, making them one of the most reliable revenue streams for nonprofits. While some donors welcome the idea of a long-term commitment, many fundraisers struggle to convert one-time donors into recurring supporters , but a few key tactics can make a big difference. In this article, we’ll look at ...
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Three Elected to CFRE International Board of Directors for 2026-2028

By CFRE International posted 10-06-2025
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Alexandria, VA, USA (October 6, 2025) – Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) International is pleased to announce the election of Rich Basler, CFRE, CAP® (Keuka Park, NY, USA); Stephen Mally, CFRE, FFIA (Sydney, NSW, Australia); and Crystal Scanio, CFRE, CEFL (Irving, TX, USA) to three-year terms (2026-2028) on the CFRE International Board of Directors. CFRE International is governed by a Board of Directors of 11, including 10 CFRE certificants and one public member. The members, who represent three continents, lend their expertise and insight to ensure the CFRE credential continues to grow globally. This year, the CFRE International Committee on ...
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September 2025 Class of Certified Fund Raising Executives Announced

By CFRE International posted 09-25-2025
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Alexandria, VA, USA (September 25, 2025) – CFRE International announces the most recent class of Certified Fund Raising Executives (CFREs). These 190 individuals join more than 8,200 professionals worldwide who hold the CFRE designation. Notably, during this testing window, Craig Tredenick, CFRE, became the first CFRE in the United Arab Emirates. Individuals granted the CFRE credential have met a series of standards set by CFRE International which include tenure in the profession, education, and demonstrated fundraising achievement for not-for-profit organizations. They have also passed a rigorous written examination testing the knowledge, skills, and abilities ...
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5 Best Practices for Stewarding Prospective Donors After Events

By Jeff Porter posted 09-02-2025
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After a successful fundraising event, you might feel like the hard work is over. But in reality, the moments that follow are some of the most important for long-term donor development. In fact, without strategic cultivation efforts, 70% of donors are likely to stop contributing within two years. That’s why effective event follow-up is so important—it helps you maintain momentum and effortlessly funnel supporters to the next stage in the donor journey. You already know how critical personalization and segmentation are, so this guide will explore the strategies that really help you stand out. Once you master these best practices, you can boost ...
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5 Tips for Creating a Nonprofit Website That Tells Your Story

By Ira Horowitz posted 08-12-2025
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Imagine pitching your nonprofit to a potential donor in just 10 seconds. That’s exactly what your website does every day. A story-centric website makes your nonprofit look professional, connects emotionally with visitors, communicates your impact, and shows the faces of the real communities you help. It’s your virtual handshake, your first impression, and often, your best chance to encourage support . But a strong story doesn’t just happen. You need a clear narrative, compelling visuals, consistent messaging, and a content strategy that respects how digital audiences read. With a thoughtful approach and the right nonprofit CMS to manage content ...
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Are Your Fundraising Strategies Sustainable? Find Out Here

By Katie Nickels posted 07-29-2025
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Imagine your largest donor suddenly decides to step back. Could your organization carry on at full strength for six months? A year? If that question makes you pause, you're not alone. More than 90% of large nonprofits in North America rely on a single revenue source for over 50% of their funding—a risky position when economic uncertainty looms. Achieving true sustainable fundraising requires thinking beyond the immediate future and instead building systems that support long-term growth. But first, you need to understand where your current efforts stand. Answer these questions with your team to assess your current fundraising strategies ...
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CFRE International Announces CEO’s Plan to Retire

By CFRE International posted 07-22-2025
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Alexandria, VA, USA (July 22, 2025) – Eva E. Aldrich, Ph.D., CAE, (CFRE, 2001-2016), President and CEO of CFRE International for the past 13 years, will retire in November 2025. CFRE International is an independent nonprofit organization that administers the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) certification program, dedicated to setting standards in philanthropy through a valid and reliable certification process for fundraising professionals. During her years as President and CEO, Aldrich guided CFRE International through significant growth, change, and the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic. The number of CFREs holding active status increased 52% ...
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The Role of Data Segmentation in Successful Direct Mail Campaigns

By Gabrielle Perham posted 07-01-2025
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Nonprofit professionals know that every campaign generates an extensive amount of data, from conversions to return on investment and engagement rates. The ability to gather, understand, and act on your data is essential for fundraising success. The better your nonprofit manages its data, the better you can connect with each supporter. For instance, direct mail is one of the best communication channels for forging personal connections, and leveraging data to send highly personalized messages through this channel can dramatically improve your relationship-building strategy. To help your nonprofit improve its direct mail campaigns, this step-by-step guide will ...
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June 2025 Class of Certified Fund Raising Executives Announced

By CFRE International posted 06-24-2025
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Alexandria, VA, USA (June 24, 2025) – CFRE International announces the most recent class of Certified Fund Raising Executives (CFREs). These 203 individuals join more than 8,200 professionals worldwide who hold the CFRE designation. Notably, during this test window, Albert Bhattacharjee, CFRE, became the first CFRE in Bangladesh, and Dominique Martin, CFRE, became the first CFRE in The Bahamas. Individuals granted the CFRE credential have met a series of standards set by CFRE International which include tenure in the profession, education, and demonstrated fundraising achievement for not-for-profit organizations. They have also passed a rigorous written ...
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How to Keep Volunteers Engaged & Motivated Long-Term

By Timothy Sarazen posted 06-03-2025
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If you’ve worked in the nonprofit sector for any length of time, you know that donating isn’t the only meaningful, valuable way supporters can engage with your organization. Volunteering, in particular, is critical for many nonprofits to further their missions, whether you work for an animal shelter that needs help running its pet adoption events or a children’s literacy organization that recruits volunteer tutors for local students. Just as donor retention allows your nonprofit to build a reliable support base for revenue generation, retaining volunteers helps you cultivate stable support through contributions of time and effort. But for volunteers ...
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How to Integrate Donor Testimonials into Campaigns

By Javan Van Gronigen posted 05-06-2025
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Donor testimonials are a powerful tool for nonprofits. They provide real human stories that showcase the impact of donations, build trust with potential supporters, and increase fundraising success. And sharing these testimonials pays off— over 70% of people trust a review from a stranger and 90% trust recommendations from a peer. But how can you effectively integrate donor stories into your fundraising campaigns? This guide walks you through selecting the right donors, crafting compelling testimonials, and adapting them for different channels while measuring impact. 1. Select the Right Donors Not all testimonials are created equal; ...
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How Smart Web Design Boosts Donor Confidence & Grows Giving

By Anne Stefanyk posted 04-02-2025
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A well-designed website increases donor confidence and facilitates online giving, helping engage supporters and increase material support for your cause. If you don’t have a smart, thoughtful web design strategy, you’re missing out on a prime opportunity to grow supporter relationships. This guide explores the importance of intelligent web design for nonprofits and actionable steps you can take today to enhance your site for a better donor experience. Why Do Nonprofit Websites Need a Smart Design Strategy? What will your nonprofit organization gain from investing in web design? An aesthetically pleasing and well-structured website can drive ...
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March 2025 Class of Certified Fund Raising Executives Announced

By CFRE International posted 03-24-2025
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Alexandria, VA, USA (March 24, 2025) – CFRE International announces the most recent class of Certified Fund Raising Executives (CFREs). These 179 individuals join more than 8,200 professionals worldwide who hold the CFRE designation. Individuals granted the CFRE credential have met a series of standards set by CFRE International which include tenure in the profession, education, and demonstrated fundraising achievement for not-for-profit organizations. They have also passed a rigorous written examination testing the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of a fundraising executive, and have agreed to uphold Accountability Standards and the Donor Bill ...
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How to Gauge and Improve Your Nonprofit's Workplace Culture

By Stephanie Sparks posted 03-04-2025
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While very rewarding, working in the nonprofit sector has its unique challenges; acing emotionally draining beneficiary situations, competing with businesses for top talent , and operating with constrained resources can be highly stressful. In fact, studies show that 95% of nonprofit professionals cite burnout as a major concern. However, having a supportive, capable team around you can mitigate these risks and make a huge difference in job satisfaction. That’s where strategically investing in workplace culture comes into play. In this guide, we’ll review three key steps for gauging and improving your workplace culture. Ultimately, you’ll ...
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6 Tips for Overcoming CFRE Test Anxiety

By Ignatius John Alotto posted 02-18-2025
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I have anxiety. It’s human to experience it. For those going through the CFRE certification process, it’s not uncommon to experience test anxiety when preparing for the CFRE exam. But I do know this … if you don’t control your test anxiety, it’ll be harder to pass the CFRE exam. In the novel, Dune , they say, “Fear is the mind killer.” I’d add that anxiety is the test-taking killer. Here are six strategies I suggest to help control your CFRE exam anxiety: Get enough sleep and eat healthy meals. That means giving up ice cream sandwiches, Good & Plenty, Milk Duds … I could go on. You must eat healthily and get enough sleep so you’re ...
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CFREs Celebrating 15 and 30 Years of Certification in 2025

By CFRE International posted 02-10-2025
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Alexandria, VA, USA (February 10, 2025) — CFRE International is proud to recognize every CFRE celebrating 15 and 30 years of certification this year. Maintaining CFRE certification demonstrates an ongoing commitment to ethics and professionalism. Organizations are unable to achieve their missions without skilled, dedicated development professionals who consistently invest in themselves and their craft. We applaud and thank them for being long-standing members of the CFRE community. CFREs Celebrating 30 Years of Certification in 2025 Enid Ablowitz, CFRE Lyman Gifford, CFRE Yvonne Miller, CFRE Cynthia Armour, CFRE Perry Hammock, ...
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