Use this page to scan recent stories from Clairification, see the themes that keep appearing, and jump into complete story briefs.
Ready to get your share of the major gift goodies? Every organization should have a major gifts program. That’s where much of the philanthropic money is. It’s a rare organization that has a mailing list large enough to raise a million dollars from a million different $1 donors. But most organizations do have major dono
Have you heard about the great wealth transfer? It’s already happening! From 2024 to 2025, bequest revenue grew 19.7% (unadjusted for inflation), according to Giving USA. In current dollars, adjusted for inflation, it’s a 16.6% increase. What does this mean for your nonprofit? It means a planned giving program is no lo
“Thanks for your quick response” That’s pretty new. Letters sent by Thomas Jefferson from France often took months to get a response. No points for shaving a day off a 90-day correspondence lag. The 800 toll-free number shifted the dynamic we expected from marketers. If we call you, we expect you to answer. Now, not… T
In 1984 Robert Cialdini wrote a groundbreaking book, Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion, outlining principles of influence that affect human behaviors. These principles are well documented, and can be incredibly useful to fundraisers. Even someone inclined to support your cause may not give unless you push the rig
This is a smart way to organically build a monthly donor program. 1. Make monthly giving the default on your donation landing page. 2. Create an ask string with smaller amounts — numbers that make sense, especially for non-major donors, when multiplied by 12 months. 3. Highlight an amount close to your median monthly g
You can’t ask someone else to passionately support your organization until you’ve personally connected with your own passion for its work. To preach religion, you must first get religion. That’s the starting point for effective board fundraising — particularly when it comes to major and planned gifts. Board members are
Memories of memories That’s most of what we’ve got. We don’t actually remember much of what happens. Instead, we get what we’ve rehearsed. If we fail to rehearse, the memory will fade. And if the memory isn’t serving us, we can work to stop rehearsing it. Choosing what we rehearse is a way of choosing… The post Always
We recently lost 36-year-old actress Haydon Panettiere. I was first introduced to her in the T.V. series Nashville. I loved the show, all about the country music scene. Hayden was wonderfully talented, both as an actress and a singer. I thought about the series because I’ll never forget the premiere episode. Almost the
Not sure how to attack the Elephant Piñata in your room? It simply makes sense to follow the money. Where is it? Let’s begin with that elephant-shaped piñata in the middle of the room. It’s filled with the bulk of all philanthropy. You’ve got to figure out how to get the goodies out of it,… The post 10 Secrets to Major
You are caught up for now.
Open the app view when you want faster scanning, saved stories, and source-focused reading in one place.