Author Archives: Nancy Patterson

About Nancy Patterson

Nonprofit Coach & Consultant since 2005. Empowering Nonprofit Leaders and Helping Clients Strengthen Advancement Programs. Services include: chief executive and development coaching; advancement services-integrated development & marketing; development audits; board development; capital campaign management; annual and strategic planning; annual, major and planned giving initiatives; proposal preparation and editing; customized solicitation training; executive search for development leaders; development department start-up, social media, mobile and web solutions. Online @ nonprofitunity.com Tweeting @Nmpatters

Fundraising Grit

Posted on May 13, 2013

Last year I wrote about successful campaign teams having super human stick-to-it-tiveness like that of silver-screen character Ethan Hunt and his Mission Impossible crew. Nonprofit campaign leaders should demonstrate an unwavering belief that success is theirs and never, ever give … Continue reading →

Posted in Campaigns, Excellence pursued, Major Gifts, Research, Volunteerism | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Felt delivers handwritten thank you’s in an iPad app

Posted on April 30, 2013

Have you ever felt inspired to write a thank you note, but you didn’t have any stamps or appropriate thank you cards in your magic drawer? A clever new iPad app aims to solve our thank you note challenges and … Continue reading →

Posted in Apps, Stewardship, Tech trends | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Causeway brings support to local causes

Posted on April 23, 2013

As part of National Volunteer Week, which runs from April 21-27, 2013, I am thrilled to pay tribute to a hometown team who is setting a new standard for supporting local causes with their hyper-local platform Causeway.

Posted in Charitable Giving Trends, Social Entrepreneur Innovations, Tech trends, Volunteerism | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Next Level Volunteer Organizing Solutions

Posted on April 10, 2013

I was thrilled when Nazila Alasti, CEO and Founder of Jooners, contacted me this week and invited me to learn more about her online sign up solution. I wrote about two competing online sign up tools last year so I … Continue reading →

Posted in Tech trends, Volunteerism | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Nonprofit Finance Fund 2013 State of the Sector: Change and Innovation

Posted on March 27, 2013

The Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF) published its 5th annual State of the Sector Survey this week, a study made possible by the Bank of America Charitable Foundation. With the largest sampling to date, 5,983 nonprofit respondents from across the country … Continue reading →

Posted in Charitable Giving Trends, Research | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Workplace Giving Report points to more engagement

Posted on March 5, 2013

What can we learn from nearly 100 businesses with more than 1.4 million employees contributing $230 million charitable dollars annually? America’s Charities set out to tackle this question in the recently released report: Snapshot: Trends and Strategies to Engage Employees … Continue reading →

Posted in Annual Giving, Campaigns, Charitable Giving Trends, Corporate Giving | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Solicitation Tips from 1891

Posted on February 19, 2013

Several years ago while preparing for a solicitation training I was to lead for a history museum, I thought it would be fun to weave in some quotes about philanthropy from famous historical figures during the session. I came across … Continue reading →

Posted in Campaigns, Major Gifts, Solicitation Tips | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Mobile World Means “Social Change Anytime Everywhere”

Posted on February 12, 2013

Did you know 42% of email is now opened on a mobile device and only 3% of emails that are opened from a mobile device are also opened on a desktop? It’s no surprise that the nonprofit sector, like the … Continue reading →

Posted in Social Media for Nonprofits | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Window Washing Superheroes

Posted on February 6, 2013

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s Superman! And Spiderman. And Batman. And Captain America— all making a difference in the lives of some children while they clean windows at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC. Although this news … Continue reading →

Posted in Inspiration | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

One Skill to Master in the Solo Development Office

Posted on January 31, 2013

Are you buried under a to-do list that is distracting you from raising more money? It can be exhausting juggling the duties as the solo development officer. I have been there, and so has Pamela Grow. “Grant proposal writing, individual … Continue reading →

Posted in Solo & Small Shop | Tagged , | Leave a comment