Stories: Nonprofit Stories

You're making a list! Maybe even more than one! The final months of the year are critical for fundraising, but year-end success involves more than sending an appeal in December and crossing your fingers that donors respond. Now is the time to engage the full...

"It seems like the more I give the more I get, and that is the way it is supposed to go in life." —Dolly Parton Isn't it wonderful when donors live by that motto? Even if you're quite certain your donors enjoy giving to your organization, you'll still...

Naturally, your organization understands the importance of planned giving. But, if you are like many organizations, figuring out a way to track it and measure success leaves you scratching your head. That's understandable. Unlike an annual campaign, planned...

At the community foundation, we regularly hear from nonprofit leaders that getting your board engaged in the right ways can be a challenge. And that's on top of the already high bar to recruit board members in the first place. Finding—and...

You've no doubt seen the report that in 2025, Americans contributed an estimated $617 billion to support nonprofits. Philanthropy is going strong, and it's also likely not a surprise that donor-advised funds continue to play a growing role in charitable...

Nonprofits are navigating a period of rapid change. From shifting donor expectations to technological advances and evolving economic pressures, organizations are being asked to adapt faster than ever before. While these changes can feel overwhelming, they...

If your organization's donor communications feel a little "routine," you're not alone. For years, many nonprofits relied on familiar messaging—especially around tax benefits—to encourage giving. But in 2026, the landscape has changed, and with it, the way...

Recent reports suggest that changes to federal tax policy could reduce charitable giving by as much as $5–7 billion annually. While philanthropy has never been driven solely by tax benefits, there's no question that tax incentives can influence the timing,...

As our region's home for charitable giving, the community foundation works with hundreds of families, individuals, businesses, civic leaders, and nonprofit organizations to help grow philanthropy, connect donors to causes they care about, and lead on critical...

Nonprofit professionals understandably spend a lot of "communication energy" explaining why their mission matters. Donors need to hear stories of impact, learn about outcomes, and understand what their gifts make possible. Yet there is another factor that...