If you’re working at a small non-profit, you’ve probably been thinking you need to spend more time on your major gifts program. 

And you’re not wrong. Major gifts can transform your fundraising. They bring in larger sums of money, deepen relationships, and create more stability for your organization. 

But here’s what we see over and over again: 

Most organizations don’t actually have a major gifts problem. They have a readiness problem. 

You can’t build a major gifts program on wishful think...

Writing grant proposals can sometimes feel like you’re navigating a maze – backwards, with your eyes closed.  

You pour hours into crafting what feels like the perfect proposal, only to receive a rejection letter that offers little insight into what you could have done differently to achieve a better outcome. 

After years of writing successful grant applications for our clients and speaking with funders and decision-makers across various foundations, we’ve noticed three specific patterns that ...

 

December’s festive glow is settling in—year-end tasks compete with holiday shopping, eggnog, staff parties, and winter celebrations—and the New Year is already pushing its agenda. The OTF Capital Grant window opens February 4, 2026, which sounds really far away, but it isn't. Shake the visions of sugarplums from your head for a wee bit longer and lay the foundations of your capital project now — you may even make Santa's “nice” list...

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Before we look at best practices for a capital fu...

If you’re an Ontario-based nonprofit with big ideas and limited capacity, this could be the golden ticket to deepening your impact. 

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) Seed Grant opens on July 23rd and is one of the most flexible and capacity-focused funding streams available to nonprofit organizations in Ontario.

Here’s everything you need to know about this funding opportunity – and how to tell if it’s right for your organization.

What is the OTF Seed Grant?

The OTF Seed Grant help...

Written by Erin Boyce: Data and Digital Director

As the Fundraising Lab’s resident librarian and book dragon (yes, I voraciously consume and hoard books in equal measure), I thought I’d pop in to share a few of my recent reads. Whether you're soaking up the sun on your patio, escaping the heat with a chilled drink indoors, or sneaking in a few chapters between Zoom calls (I won’t tell), this summer's book stack is packed with stories that move, challenge, and charm. 

From heart-wrenching tr...

What savvy nonprofits are doing now to win fall fundraising. 

Written by Erin Boyce: Data and Digital Director

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.  

If you're a nonprofit leader or fundraiser feeling like your current donor database just isn't cutting it anymore, you're not alone.

Written by Erin Boyce: Data and Digital Director

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.

Why Consider Moving On?

Most nonprofits sta...

If your donor database is more “it’s complicated” than “true love,” you’re not alone.  

Many organizations struggle with poorly configured systems that prevent them from accessing the valuable insights hidden within. 

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.  

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? 

What Is the Cloud? 

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...

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.  

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...