Summer might feel slower than your usual year-end sprint (if “slow” even exists in nonprofit life), but smart fundraising teams know it’s the perfect time to get organized, make strategic updates, and set themselves up for success. With a bit of focus now, you can build cleaner systems, improve your reporting, and strengthen donor relationships - all before the fall rush begins. Â
...It's the never-ending story for fundraisers and Executive Directors - systems that once seemed like a good fit now feel clunky, limited, or just plain frustrating.
But here's the good news: transitioning to a new donor management system doesn't have to be overwhelming.
Most nonprofits sta...
Many organizations struggle with poorly configured systems that prevent them from accessing the valuable insights hidden within.Â
But here’s the good news: you can improve your relationship with your data. With a little attention and the right strategy, you can ensure your database is serving you in the best way possible. Â
Here are five ways to get back on track and build a stronger connection with your...
 Written by Erin Boyce: Data and Digital Director
Canadian charities often store sensitive donor information in databases, and many of these databases are cloud-based. But not all cloud systems store this data on Canadian servers. So, do you know where your donor data is being stored?Â
What Is the Cloud?Â
The “cloud” means storing data on remote servers that can be accessed through the internet. Cloud computing helps Canadian charities by making it easier and cheaper to store and access d...
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Now that the visions of sugarplums have subsided your thoughts have likely turned to this new leaf of 2025. And if you are an Ontario based charity your thoughts are likely drifting to the OTF Capital Grant and assessing if you can pull an award-worthy application together. Â
Before we look at best practices for a capital funds application it might be a good idea to define 'capital funding'. A capital campaign, capital grant, or capital funding is a way for organizations, typically nonpr...
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If you’re like me, you are probably half-way checked out for the holiday season. But it is definitely not too early to be thinking about your Ontario Trillium Foundation Capital Grant strategy. (NOTE: this is for Ontario-based charities only.)
The OTF Capital Grant fund opens Feb 5 - March 5th  Â
In the Capital grant stream, OTF funds projects that update buildings, enhance spaces, and purchase fixed and non-fixed equipment so people and communities can thrive.
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Can you believe it’s almost the end of 2024? Year-end receipting will be at the top of the “to-do” list before we know it! Here’s some receipting reminders -Â
3 Important Facts about Year-End receipting for Canadian Charities:Â
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The most valuable asset any fund development operation has is the accuracy of its data and the ability to analyze it. A well-configured database can be used to help analyze past fundraising campaigns, calculate benchmarks and metrics, track comprehensive donor history and issue financial reports (including reports to reconcile with your financial system) and issue charitable tax receipts. Â
It can also be used to help streamline stewardship, such as tracking who must be thanked and who should...
Last week, we talked about the budget. Oh, those numbers can be tricky but they’re such a big piece of getting your fundraising plan solidified. Â
What’s next? Â
You pitch to the board to get their buy-in. Â
And the day comes for your pitch...Â
>>>>>>And they tear it up.Â
Well, not literally but they ask question after question and they ...
Before we launch into why you need a budget, I want to touch on the fundraising plan (cause why have a budget without a plan?).Â
Last week, we talked about the value of a fundraising plan. The week before, we talked about why it’s important to plan at all.Â
Here’s a bit of a recap...Â
The plan is where it all happens. So, when you carve out time to start writing your plan, you start by asking some questions -Â this list is not exhaustive.Â
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