Strategies During COVID-19

As the COVID-19 crisis affects our personal and professional lives, CCS Fundraising is here to support you. Below you will find insights that every nonprofit organization can use to face these unprecedented, challenging times. As fundraising experts, we know that the principles and best practices of fundraising don’t change, but sometimes we must find new ways to implement them.

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CCS Survey Reveals Successful Virtual Donor Engagement Results and Positive Signs for Nonprofit Fundraising in 2021

Findings from the 1,000+ responses to our January 2021 survey provide some encouraging news for nonprofit leaders and development professionals.

Key Resources

November 30, 2021

5 Essential Strategies for #GivingTuesday Follow-Up

Following up with donors after #GivingTuesday is essential. So where should you start? These five simple but powerful principles can help.

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November 10, 2021

How to Prioritize Foundation Funding Opportunities: Four Criteria to Consider [Excel Template Included]

With so many opportunities for foundation funding today, prioritization is key for fundraising teams. In this article, Elyse Adams provides a framework and an Excel template for nonprofits to qualify new foundation funding opportunities.

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June 23, 2021

Amplifying Your Client's Voice: How Human Services Organizations Are Deploying Fundraising Windfalls

Increases in philanthropic support to human services nonprofits provide a historic opportunity for organizations to explore bold and visionary investments. In this article, An Nguyen and Kaleigh Wagner discuss how some human services organizations are exploring catalyst investments, centering beneficiaries, and deepening enthusiasm among those who support their mission.

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May 27, 2021

Tax Policy Changes and Charitable Giving: What Fundraisers Need to Know

Though no new legislation has been passed to date, it is important for fundraisers to pay attention to tax reform proposals on the horizon. This article provides an overview of the potential implications of tax reform on charitable giving, along with guidance for fundraisers looking to discuss these matters with their donors.

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May 14, 2021

Using Online Giving to Strengthen Catholic Stewardship

Over the past year, many Catholic churches have transitioned to engaging their parishioners virtually. What's next now that social distancing requirements are being lifted? In this article, Gaby Nuñez and Jessica Grimmett provide perspectives on why parishes should continue to invest time and attention to promote online giving.

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April 30, 2021

Re-Energizing Your School's Annual Fund

The summer term is an ideal time to plan for annual fundraising efforts. As we head into spring, learn how independent schools can re-energize their annual fund in five steps.

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April 5, 2021

Engaging the Next Generation of Philanthropists

The future of philanthropy revolves around engaging our next generation of donors—Generation Z and Millennials. Understanding how to attract, retain, and grow your young professional pipeline will ensure long-term sustainability for your organization.

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March 25, 2021

Moving from Response to Recovery: A Case Study with United Way Worldwide Facing a World Reordering Moment

Nonprofits are looking for ways to transition out of crisis response to long-term community recovery. Learn more about United Way Worldwide's strategy and key tips for nonprofits looking for enduring stabilization.

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March 17, 2021

Click Here to Donate: The Power of Online Giving

Blackbaud's new Charitable Giving Report revealed a 21% increase in online giving from 2019 to 2020. Learn more about the growth of digital giving and how you can encourage online gifts to your organization.

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March 10, 2021

What's Next for Parishes?

The COVID-19 pandemic is revolutionizing how parishes meet their missions, operate, fundraise, and stay in community. What's next for parishes, and how can we use lessons learned from pandemic-era philanthropy to inform our post-COVID-19 approach?

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March 3, 2021

Asking for Major Gifts in a Virtual World: A Practical Guide to Virtual Solicitation

A recent CCS survey showed that 72% of nonprofit respondents who conducted virtual major gift solicitations found them to be either as successful or more successful than typical in-person requests. Check out Courtney Labetti's guidance to help your organization land big gifts through virtual means.

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February 17, 2021

Build Your Digital Presence for 2021 and Beyond: 5 Tips for Nonprofits

Digital transformation catalyzed by the COVID-19 pandemic may be here to stay. Check out Julia Dignam and Chris Polito's tips for making sure your nonprofit's digital communication strategy is keeping pace.

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February 12, 2021

Making the Case for Investment in Philanthropy to C-Suite Leadership at Health Organizations

The return on investment for philanthropic activity is unparalleled for healthcare organizations. Learn more about how to make a case for investment in philanthropy to your C-suite executive leadership.

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February 11, 2021

The Future is #DAF: Donor-Advised Fund Growth and How Nonprofits Can Benefit

As we look to the future of philanthropy, donor-advised funds (DAFs) will be an integral part of the conversation. Learn more about the findings from National Philanthropic Trust’s new DAF study and how nonprofit organizations can attract more gifts from this vehicle.

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February 3, 2021

CCS Survey Reveals Successful Virtual Donor Engagement Results and Positive Signs for Nonprofit Fundraising in 2021

Findings from the 1,000+ responses to our January 2021 survey provide some encouraging news for nonprofit leaders and development professionals.

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January 28, 2021

Digital Fundraising for Easter: A Four-Week Plan for Parishes

Situate your parish for success this spring with this four-week plan to help you prepare for digital fundraising this Easter.

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January 14, 2021

Reimagining Fundraising in a COVID-19 Landscape: Lessons for Success in 2021

As we begin 2021, CCS Corporate Vice President Elizabeth Abel offers perspectives on how the philanthropic landscape changed in 2020 and how nonprofit leaders can set themselves and their teams up for fundraising success in the coming year.

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December 22, 2020

The December 2020 COVID-19 Relief Package: Key Benefits for Nonprofits and Fundraisers

On December 21, 2020 Congress approved a $900 billion coronavirus relief bill. If signed into law, many of the bill’s provisions would directly benefit nonprofits and fundraisers, helping to soften the blow of the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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December 8, 2020

Your Fundraising Forecast Cheat Sheet for 2021 [Excel Template Included]

In such tumultuous and uncertain times, projecting fundraising revenue is a tall order. CCS provides tactical guidance and a downloadable Excel tool to help forecast your organization’s fundraising for 2021.

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October 15, 2020

Repositioning Nonprofit Emergency/Immediate Response Funds

Now that we are half a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, your organizational funding needs may have evolved since establishing an emergency or immediate response fund. Read on to learn how a community college adapted their response fund to address new areas, and how your nonprofit can, too.

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September 23, 2020

CCS Survey Shows Improved Fundraising Trends and Evolved Donor Engagement Tactics

New results from CCS’s Philanthropic Climate Survey show that the pandemic’s negative effects on fundraising are growing less severe over time as nonprofits embrace virtual methods of donor cultivation and solicitation.

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August 14, 2020

New England Perspective: Three Philanthropy Trends During the Racial Equity Movement

The racial equity movement has occasioned meaningful and unparalleled reflection, discourse, and action within the nonprofit and philanthropic sector. Through a series of conversations, we found three emerging trends in response to the movement: commitment to the systems-change impact model, a refocusing on local-level corporate giving, and ongoing generosity from individuals.

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July 29, 2020

Sustainable Philanthropy in the New World: Endowment Growth for Arts and Culture Organizations

Endowments have long been an important tool for arts and culture organizations to promote financial stability and growth in their community. Endowments are not the only component that promotes organizational stability during or following a crisis; however, they provide an important income stream when other earned revenues may have ceased.

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July 15, 2020

Adapting to the COVID-19 Crisis: A Look into Catholic and Episcopal Dioceses and Parishes

COVID-19 has forced organizations of all sizes and sectors to adapt to a digital model, with impacts that will likely last beyond the pandemic. Churches are no exception.

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June 30, 2020

Inequity in a Global Crisis – The Varying Impacts of the Pandemic

In recent months, our global community has faced extraordinary circumstances that have forced long-standing institutional and systemic inequities to the forefront of our collective consciousness. The COVID-19 pandemic shined a spotlight on the disproportionate impact of health crises on our most vulnerable populations.

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June 24, 2020

Independent School Fundraising Strategy: Making the Most of Your Summer Months

For most nonprofit organizations, the future of fundraising remains uncertain. This is especially true of educational institutions. However, these institutions also have a summer break that can allow them some time to plan ahead for any contingency.

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June 12, 2020

CCS Fundraising Research Shows Nonprofit Resiliency During COVID-19

New data from a large-scale CCS Fundraising survey of nonprofit organizations suggests that the philanthropic landscape has improved markedly thanks in part to innovative approaches to fundraising.

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June 9, 2020

Combining and Sequencing Donor Request Strategies

Whether it’s for a campaign or operational sustainability, through a focused and clear request strategy, your organization can secure immediate support from your closest and most capable supporters without compromising future strategic funding requests.

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May 28, 2020

Four Steps to Ensuring ROI for Virtual Events

For many nonprofit organizations, events are an important way to raise funds, gather close donors, and educate the community in a unique way. Current limitations for in-person gatherings present a challenge for organizations that were planning to hold events.

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May 18, 2020

Fundraising on the Front Lines: Communication and Immediate Action

National moments tend to propel certain nonprofits to the forefront of philanthropic attention. In these moments, new audiences and a larger spotlight create an immediate need for a ramped-up communications program as scrutiny around deliverables and actions heightens.

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May 13, 2020

How Healthcare Organizations Can Continue to Fundraise for All Programs During COVID-19

Many healthcare organizations are asking how to best communicate the continued importance of essential programs, such as cancer research, rare disease prevention/treatment, and other lifesaving services, during the COVID-19 crisis.

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May 12, 2020

Nonprofit Survey Reveals Majority of Organizations Continuing Campaigns During COVID-19

Most nonprofits have moved forward with major fundraising efforts—with appropriate modifications—despite the impact of the current global health pandemic, according to a new CCS Fundraising study.

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May 7, 2020

The Keys to Maximizing Your Virtual Gala

For nonprofits across sectors, it will take some trial and error to determine which solutions are most effective, and perhaps, worth integrating into long-term toolkits for raising funds in a post-pandemic world.

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May 5, 2020

Continuing a Nonprofit Fundraising Campaign in Uncertain Times

Managing a campaign is a challenge even in the best of times. In the current pandemic crisis, many organizations are looking to fundraising success during past crises in order to help them move forward.

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May 4, 2020

How to Elevate Your Next Virtual Donor Meeting During COVID-19

While nothing compares with the live experience of your programs or services, there are simple and elegant ways of conveying your organization’s story, delivering mission moments, and setting the stage for your case for support all on an online platform.

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May 1, 2020

Donor Communication Strategies: Learning from Previous Times of Crisis

As nonprofits continue to find innovative ways to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic—especially when it comes to donor engagement—many organizations are drawing from lessons learned from past crises.

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April 30, 2020

How Performing Arts Organizations are Redefining Audience Engagement During COVID-19

A pause in programmatic activity may represent a risk to an organization’s donor engagement, cultivation, and stewardship efforts. With the option of congregating in groups an impossibility for the immediate future, performing arts organizations are uniquely capable of reimagining their programmatic activities.

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April 17, 2020

Four Areas Where Your Board Can Focus its Strategic Thinking

Now is the time to spend energy and resources on the long-term vision. It’s imperative that your organization's board moves forward with accountability, transparency, and excellence. The goal here is to meet certain benchmarks and evaluate four important factors: Finance, Programs, Personnel, and Board Recruitment.

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April 13, 2020

Three Quick Tips for Making the Most of #GivingTuesdayNow on May 5

In light of GivingTuesday’s recent announcement of #GivingTuesdayNow—an event they are describing as a “day of giving, generosity, and unity” slated for May 5—we offer immediate steps to raise awareness and funds for your cause.

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April 9, 2020

How One Nonprofit Organization is Turning its Annual Gala into a Major Online Event

Events and galas are instrumental in raising awareness and funds for nonprofits. With these events on hold during the COVID-19 crisis, organizations are questioning how they can replicate their impact. The good news is that we are seeing many organizations successfully pivot to using the digital space.

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April 7, 2020

Effective Communications During COVID-19: Mastering Your Digital Strategy

Having a robust digital marketing strategy has never been more important. Digital is an ideal way to distribute communications—especially crisis messaging—both quickly and cost-effectively, while keeping your audience actively engaged with your organization.

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April 3, 2020

COVID-19 and Catholic Giving: A Diocesan Guide for Embracing Technology to Continue Stewardship

COVID-19 has changed the way we are congregating. While the lack of in-person Mass makes it challenging to connect with communities, the dioceses that have a plan for how to pivot into the digital space will be the most successful.

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April 2, 2020

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act: Key Fundraising Implications and Takeaways

As it relates to fundraising, the CARES Act incentivizes charitable giving from individuals and corporations by increasing tax deductions for charitable donations. It also offers loans and grants to eligible nonprofit organizations impacted by the coronavirus.

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March 31, 2020

The Fundraiser’s Guide to Self-Management During the COVID-19 Pandemic

As we all navigate the temporary but vastly different global landscape, here are eight adapted strategies of self-management during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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March 30, 2020

How to Maintain Donor Engagement During a Crisis: Key Considerations and Guidance

With the COVID-19 crisis impacting the philanthropic landscape, nonprofit organizations across all sizes and sectors share the same question: how do we engage our donors, and what sort of outreach is appreciated and appropriate?

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March 24, 2020

Video Conferencing for Development: What to Do in Advance of Your Next Donor Meeting

As important donor meetings are moving to the video conferencing world in the coming weeks, how do you properly prepare to make sure that your next donor meeting is smooth and issue-free?

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March 21, 2020

Why You Should Begin Planning for Online Giving Days Now

Well before this moment, the rise of online giving has been significant, and the importance of engaging your existing and potential donors online has never been more essential.

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March 20, 2020

Building Momentum in Challenging Times: How Small Wins Become Big Wins

It’s important to remember that campaign success is not only about funds raised, but also about the ongoing accomplishments that keep a development team feeling positive about the direction forward.

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March 19, 2020

Webinar Download: Leaders at CCS Fundraising Offer Perspectives on COVID-19

Earlier this week, CCS Fundraising hosted a webinar, Principles of Fundraising: Navigating the Challenges Presented by Coronavirus, to discuss the current COVID-19 crisis and provide guidance on how nonprofits of all sizes and across sectors can proceed during this uncertain time.

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March 12, 2020

Principles of Fundraising: The Coronavirus and Philanthropy

Concerns about the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) underscore the nonprofit sector’s vital leadership role in the welfare of our communities. At CCS Fundraising, our primary concern lies with the health and safety of our people, our nonprofit partners, and those in our communities at greatest risk.

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