Resources

fundraising insight

The Compass Group is privileged to serve a variety of nonprofits. In every setting, our fundraising professionals bring extensive successful experience and knowledge to each partnership. View our resource library below.

Building financial stability and momentum

Momentum is key to fundraising and planning.

New Lens for the New Moment: The Four Predictive Indicators for Fundraising Success

For Compass, we are drawing on our deep experience working with mission-driven nonprofits over the past 30 years and looking at our four predictive indicators through a new lens as organizations navigate these times and prepare for future success

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Top 10 Points for Successful Virtual Donor Meetings

Thanks to travel restrictions and social distancing mandates, we are in a state of virtual affairs. Many Compass clients see this as advantageous as organizational leaders and gift officers can connect with more donors, more readily. While the phone is a familiar tried-and-true mode of communication, virtual meetings present a more authentic and more engaging donor experience.

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Recommendations for Philanthropy in the COVID-19-Affected Economy

The impact of the global pandemic caused by coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to be a source of uncertainty and speculation in both economic and philanthropic markets.

But while this situation differs from those of previous economic downturns in that it is driven by public health concerns, the resulting landscape facing nonprofits is the same: the organizations that compete the best and with the most assertiveness will find the most success.

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A Case to Remember

Your ability to envision a bold future for your organization and to articulate that future in a Case for Support will be the key to attracting the resources necessary to make that future possible.

The strength of a Case for Support is directly proportional to its ability to relate to the personal interests and concerns of your audience. This resource explores how to motivate the reader and convince them that their contribution is absolutely critical to success, while reassuring them that making a significant commitment will be as rewarding for them as it is for your organization.

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Seven I’s of Fundraising

Fundraising can be daunting when you attempt to tackle everything at once. Successful fundraising involves a series of specific steps that when followed diligently, create a higher comfort level with the entire process. These steps—presented here as the Seven I’s of Fundraising—will aid in promoting significant philanthropic support for your mission and vision.

Fundraising success results from this structured process, not from cutting corners or taking shortcuts. Implementing each step—from identifying potential prospects, to asking them to invest in your mission and vision—will help you build a successful fundraising program.

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Board Development and Engagement

Strong organizations have strong boards that are a product of internal culture, leadership, training, and skills. These resources explore how to develop effective teams that can execute on a strategic vision and set a powerful example for the whole organization.

Top 10 Points for Board Leadership in Unprecedented Times

COVID-19 has ushered in unprecedented times, and unprecedented times call for unprecedented leadership. Yet no board has successfully led an organization through a global pandemic. To that end, our Compass experts share these best practices based on the current situation and knowledge gleaned from working with boards over the past 30 years. Our team envisions these points as beneficial not just for board members, but for executives and development staff working with boards in these times.

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SOAR with Your Board

SOAR is an acronym for Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, and Results. The SOAR process results in a strategic vision for organizations that is focused, positive, and uplifting. Replace the traditional SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis with an inspirational and engaging activity that energizes your board, identifies the “big ideas,” and creates an exciting vision for your organization.

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Building a Better Fundraising Board

In today’s fundraising environment, competition for philanthropic dollars is greater than ever before. Nonprofit organizations that can compete successfully in the philanthropic market will be able to attain their goals and fulfill their mission.

This white paper defines the role of the board in fundraising and provides insights on how to build a better board by attracting the right people, training effectively, and evaluating performance.

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Common Sense Tips on Board Leadership in Competitive Times

Through hands-on experience over the past 30 years, there are several “common sense” principles utilized by effective boards to deal with the day-to-day reality of board leadership in competitive times. The following “tips” reflect that experience.

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