Insights and Resources for Nonprofit Fundraising

Sandra Davis Sandra Davis

How to Use Social Proof to Boost Fundraising Results and Donor Trust

There’s a wonderful little magic trick our brains play on us: when we’re uncertain, we look around to see what other people are doing. And then we often do the same thing. If you’ve ever slowed down to watch a crowd gather around a street performer, or found yourself joining in applause at the end of a performance—even when you weren’t sure it was over—you’ve experienced this firsthand.

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Sandra Davis Sandra Davis

Why Donors Freeze at the Donation Page — And 5 Ways to Reduce the Hidden Friction

You’ve built a compelling campaign. You’ve inspired someone to click “Donate.”They’re aligned with your mission. They’re emotionally invested. And still—they hesitate. Or worse: they close the tab. If you’ve seen this pattern, you’re not alone. 

By understanding why this hesitation happens, we can help nonprofit leaders recognize and remove hidden points of friction.

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Sandra Davis Sandra Davis

Why Your Donors Aren’t Giving (And What To Do About It)

Every fundraiser knows the feeling—your campaign is live, the messaging is strong… and then, silence. Before you blame the strategy, consider this: the real reason donors hesitate may have less to do with your message—and more to do with what’s happening in their minds.

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Sandra Davis Sandra Davis

How to Turn Your Nonprofit’s Milestone Anniversary into a Transformational Campaign

An anniversary campaign or a capital campaign launched in conjunction with a milestone anniversary can reenergize your mission, galvanize your supporters, provide ample opportunities to celebrate your organization and mission, and attract new donors and attention. Done without enough lead-time planning, it risks becoming an expensive party with little lasting impact.

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Sandra Davis Sandra Davis

Why Coaching and Mentorship Matter for Heads of Philanthropy

It’s a role that demands strategic vision, people leadership, financial savvy, and a deep commitment to your mission. Fundraising leaders carry the responsibility of keeping the whole development engine running smoothly—not just cultivating major gifts, not just writing grant proposals, not just events management—but all of that and the umbrella, too.

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Sandra Davis Sandra Davis

Celebrating Small Wins: How Micro-Victories Keep Fundraisers Motivated

Research tells us that even minor achievements activate the brain’s reward system, triggering a dopamine release—the feel-good chemical that fuels motivation. And who doesn’t want that? When fundraisers experience these positive feedback loops, they’re more likely to stay engaged and resilient.

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Sandra Davis Sandra Davis

Leading by Example: The Ripple Effect of Board Giving

For major donors and institutional funders, board giving is a make-or-break trust signal. Some foundations even require 100% board participation before considering a grant. And many high-net-worth donors won’t even enter the conversation until they know the board is fully invested.

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