 The 3 Questions Donors Ask About IRA Rollover Gifts (and How to Answer Them)IRA rollovers are the best of both worlds. They let donors give from their assets, not their income – so these gifts are often larger than what someone could give from their checkbook. And here’s the best part: the funds can be put to use immediately by the nonprofit. Still, many fundraisers hesitate to talk about Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) – also known as IRA rollover gifts – because they don’t feel confident answering donor questions. But here’s the truth: donors rarely ask complicated questions. They just want to understand the basics. If we want to receive these powerful gifts, we need to be ready with clear, simple answers. Here are the top three questions I hear most often – plus how to respond in a way that builds trust and inspires action. 1. “Will this affect my taxes?”Yes – in a good way. If you're 70½ or older, you can give directly from your IRA to a qualified charity without increasing your taxable income. For donors over 73, that gift can count toward your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD). So you're meeting a federal requirement and supporting a cause you love – without taking the tax hit. 2. “How hard is this to do?”Honestly? It’s very doable. If your IRA account includes check-writing privileges, you can write a check directly to the nonprofit. If not, a quick call to your broker or account manager will do the trick. Just make sure the funds go directly from the IRA to the charity. If they hit your personal account – even briefly – they become taxable. 3. “How much can I give this way?”In 2025, the annual QCD limit is $108,000 per individual, indexed for inflation. If both spouses have IRAs, a household can give up to $216,000 in a single year. Keep in mind: this is the total giving limit per IRA account per tax year. So if you've already made other QCDs this year, you’ll want to keep a tally toward that annual cap. Donors Are Asking – Are You Ready to Answer?If you’re not already promoting IRA rollovers, this is the time to start. And no – you don’t have to start from scratch. ✅ Grab the IRA Rollover Promotion Bundle – Everything You Need to Promote QCDs This $99 bundle includes:
You’ll get a downloadable PDF with links to every template, setup instructions, and a short tutorial video. Created by me – Jessica Neno Cloud, CFRE – after 20+ years in fundraising, this bundle is built to help you raise more, with less stress and guesswork. From 2019 to 2021, giving through IRAs jumped 390%. This isn’t a trend – it’s a tidal wave. Let’s make sure your nonprofit is riding it. Want a free way to get started? Download my free resource, Calendar of IRA Rollover Promotions – a simple tool to help you map out smart, strategic outreach across the calendar year. 👉 Download the Free Calendar Cheers!  P.S. Like this kind of insight? Subscribe to Real Deal Fundraising and get my best articles, tools, and curated resources every week – including webinars, videos, and free downloads. IRA Rollover References Resources If you liked this…
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 “Wait, Am I Supposed to Fundraise Now Too?” A Department Chair’s Guide to Getting StartedPop Quiz: A beloved faculty member retires, and your department wants to honor them with a named scholarship. Should you: a) Hit up that top donor at the tailgate b) Meet with Advancement and make a plan c) Launch a GoFundMe and post it to the department's social media If you picked B, congratulations – you’ve passed. If you're scratching your head, you're not alone. (And yes, every one of those quiz options I have witnessed personally.) Far too often, faculty are either sprinting ahead trying to do it all themselves or sitting it out because the maze of advancement feels too intimidating. Neither of these extreme approaches do justice to your students, your honorees, or your own standing as a leader on campus. Here’s the thing: most faculty don’t go into academia thinking they’ll ever be responsible for raising money. Then one day, they step into a department chair role and suddenly, fundraising is on the job description – but no one handed them a manual. It’s a lot to take on, especially when you’re already juggling budgets, personnel, and curriculum. Though I’m an Advancement professional, I’ve worked directly with faculty on fundraising since the 20th century – and I’ve seen plenty of ways fundraising efforts can go sideways. These are the things that work to make you the Advancement team’s favorite faculty collaborator. When you know who to call and how to work together, you not only raise more money, you build momentum, respect, and resources. Let’s talk about how to work effectively across campus. Development Most of the folks in Development departments actually aren’t major gift officers who play golf all day. In reality, it’s the researchers, database managers, gift processors, accountants, and annual giving folks who are the real MVPs and can be your best resource as a department chair. Development offices thrive when faculty help connect academic work to donor dreams. They’re looking for faculty who can paint a clear picture of how gifts support teaching, research, and student success. Want to get off on the right foot? Here are three things you can do:
Alumni Association Your former students aren’t just Facebook friends. They're potential mentors, donors, and champions for your department. The Alumni Association wants your help making those connections stick. Want to build better relationships with alumni staff and support your grads? Here are three ways to start:
Campus Politics Around Giving Yes, it can get political. Departments can get territorial. Your college or university will have its own fundraising priorities which may not match yours. Donors get pulled in ten directions – and when everyone goes rogue with fundraising, everybody loses. Instead of guarding your turf, try building bridges. Focus on what the donor wants and how multiple units might work together. A shared proposal doesn’t dilute your message – it strengthens it. It shows you’re working as a team, which donors love. Collaboration isn’t just a buzzword. It’s a strategy. And when faculty, development, and alumni relations team up, the results are bigger, better, and more sustainable. Truly, everyone working together advances the institution. So, the next time someone announces their intention to retire and you want to honor them with a scholarship, don’t wing it or walk away. Partner up. Think long-term. Be the faculty leader who understands how things get done – and gets them done with heart and strategy. Ready to take the next step?If this post hit home, I’ve got something that’ll really help: a free 35-minute webinar called Building Fundraising Confidence for Department Chairs. It’s practical, empowering, and designed to help you stop second-guessing and start asking with clarity. You’ll get access immediately—and it’ll subscribe you to my newsletter where I share more strategies, stories, and insights for academic leaders who are learning how to fundraise without losing their minds. Cheers!  PS - I hope you’ll continue the conversation by subscribing to Real Deal Fundraising. When you subscribe, you’ll get my e-newsletter, which includes the best articles on fundraising, productivity, and cool stuff every week. The whole thing is curated awesomeness as well as freebies like webinars, instructional videos, and whatever else I can put together to be helpful to you!
 Rethinking Board Recruitment: The 4 Ws That Really MatterWhen I ask a nonprofit leader what they’re looking for in a new board member, I often hear one of three things: “We need someone with deep pockets.” “We need someone who knows people.” “We just need someone who will actually show up and help.” That’s where the old 3 Ws model comes from: Wealth, Window Dressing, and Worker Bee. (Quick note: I didn’t come up with those labels – and they’re not meant to be demeaning. These short-hand categories have been floating around the nonprofit world for decades because they’re easy to remember and speak to the roles board members often play.) But that “Worker Bee” bucket? It was doing too much. There’s a big difference between someone who’s eager to help and someone who brings a specific, strategic skill set that your organization really needs. So I’ve updated the model. Here’s what I use now: The 4 Ws of Board Value 1. Wealth Financial capacity and willingness to give meaningfully. These board members lead with their giving and help bring others to the table. 2. Window Dressing These members come with name recognition, public credibility, or powerful networks. And let’s be clear: this isn’t fluff. Think of actual window dressing – it draws people in. Visibility, reputation, and access to new audiences can absolutely drive momentum, when paired with authentic engagement. 3. Willing Hands These are the doers. They show up, roll up their sleeves, make thank-you calls, stuff envelopes, and volunteer at events. Their time and energy are often the engine behind day-to-day progress. 4. Wisdom These folks bring specific expertise – finance, legal, marketing, investments, HR, governance, DEI. They help your organization make informed, strategic decisions. A Visual Way to Think About It You can picture this concept as a four-part Venn diagram – each W intersecting with the others. The center is where your dream board prospects live: those rare folks who bring all four.  Note: This image is a helpful visual, but not mathematically perfect. Some combinations (like Wealth + Wisdom) don’t appear distinctly due to the limitations of 4-part diagrams. A Practical Way to Use It In real-world board recruitment, it can help to ditch the diagram and move to a simple grid. A spreadsheet like the one below makes it easier to evaluate prospective members based on the categories they fulfill – and shows where you’re strong or where you need to recruit intentionally. Each person is evaluated on whether they bring one, two, three, or all four of the Ws. Then you can sort, filter, and prioritize your outreach.  The Real Goal Build a board full of people who bring at least two of these categories – and who align with your mission and values. Look for overlaps. The magic is in the mix. And don’t leave this work to the board alone. Your fundraising staff and executive leadership need to be working hand-in-hand with the nominating committee – from the very beginning. They know the needs, they understand the gaps, and they’ll be the ones partnering with these new board members down the road. When you use the 4 Ws to guide your recruitment, you’re not just filling seats. You’re building something durable, strategic, and deeply aligned with your mission. P.S. Want to take the first step? Grab my free Board Fundraising Menu – a customizable and printable tool that helps your board members choose where and how they can plug into fundraising. It’s clear, easy, and surprisingly motivating. Cheers!  PS - I hope you’ll continue the conversation by subscribing to Real Deal Fundraising. When you subscribe, you’ll get my e-newsletter, which includes the best articles on fundraising, productivity, and cool stuff every week. The whole thing is curated awesomeness as well as freebies like webinars, instructional videos, and whatever else I can put together to be helpful to you!
 Microwave Fundraising vs. Crockpot Fundraising: Why the Slow Simmer Wins Every TimeA few years back, I worked with a team that was stuck in microwave fundraising mode. If there was a quick-cash tactic out there, they were doing it: golf tournaments, raffles, sponsorship deals heavy on the benefits, you name it. It kept the lights on, but it wasn’t building anything lasting. I gave a presentation about crockpot fundraising – relationship-building, long-term strategy, donor engagement – and it started to click. I wanted to challenge them to try something new and to move out of their "microwave" comfort zone. I promised them that if they could do that, it would pay dividends down the line and make fundraising easier and more enjoyable. I've been in rooms full of nonprofit leaders who are scrambling to make payroll, stressed over budget gaps, or just plain overwhelmed by the pressure to "do more with less." And in those moments, it's tempting to reach for the quick fix – a car wash, a 5K, a golf tournament, a donut sale, a last-minute sponsorship deal. These microwave fundraising tactics can bring in a little fast cash, and I won't pretend they never have a place. But let's be honest: they're not going to carry your mission for the long haul. Microwave fundraising is all about urgency. It's transactional. It gets warm fast, but it cools off just as quickly. These events are often labor-intensive, draining your staff and volunteers. The ROI is usually modest. They’re familiar, easy to organize, and feel reliable. But they’re not always the healthiest choice for your organization. They only feed a few folks, and they don’t build connection to your mission or long-term sustainability. Here's a side-by-side breakdown that captures the heart of the metaphor:  Caption: Microwave vs. Crockpot Fundraising: A visual comparison of quick, transactional tactics vs. slow, relationship-centered strategies. Then there's crockpot fundraising. It takes longer to get cooking, no doubt. And yes, there’s a learning curve. But it’s healthier for your mission in the long run. These strategies usually involve more “vegetables” – meaning thoughtful, nourishing activities like donor conversations, stewardship touches, and consistent storytelling. It takes time. You can’t flip a switch and expect results tomorrow. But when you commit to it – when you really let it simmer – the flavor builds. The connections deepen. The nourishment multiplies. Crockpot fundraising feeds a crowd. You’re not just generating one-time gifts – you’re building community. It’s transformational. It deepens loyalty. It keeps donors connected to the mission. It gives your work staying power. It means investing in consistent donor communications, one-on-one conversations, thank-you calls, stewardship, and strategic asks. First-time donors become recurring givers. Recurring givers become advocates. Advocates become legacy donors. Is it slower? Yes. But it is sustainable. It doesn’t burn you out or box your organization into lopsided agreements just to chase a check. It feeds your mission in a way that microwave tactics never will. It keeps your team grounded and your donors inspired. So when you're weighing your next move, ask yourself: Are we microwaving or crockpotting this? One will keep you hustling for scraps. The other will feed your mission for years to come. Let it simmer. You'll be glad you did. Cheers!  PS - I hope you’ll continue the conversation by subscribing to Real Deal Fundraising. When you subscribe, you’ll get my e-newsletter, which includes the best articles on fundraising, productivity, and cool stuff every week. The whole thing is curated awesomeness as well as freebies like webinars, instructional videos, and whatever else I can put together to be helpful to you! If you liked this…
 Take Your PTO: Why I’m Logging Off – and Why You Might Need To, TooIn a few days, I’m heading out of the country with my family. No laptop. No inbox. No quick peeks at work in the evenings. Just real, present time with the people I love most. (Peep the picture above of my kids in their first Uber ride last week.) 😊 We recently had one of those “now or never” conversations. Our kids are growing up fast, and we realized that if we didn’t start making international travel part of our family story, we might miss the chance. I want them to see the world – to experience other ways of being, other values, other rhythms of life. I want them to be citizens of the world, not just the United States. So we’re going. And I’m letting myself go all in. Here’s the truth: I’m not stepping away from work despite being a fundraiser. I’m doing it because I am. Fundraising is heart work. It’s personal, demanding, often overwhelming. That passion can make rest feel like a luxury – something we have to earn or squeeze in around the edges. That shows up across the sector: data from January 2025 show that nonprofit workers leave more unused PTO than all industries except government. But rest isn’t a luxury. It’s part of the job. I’ve shared before why self-care for nonprofit fundraisers matters – and not just for bubble baths, but for building real boundaries and intention. I’ve also explored burnout in our profession and how it quietly silences the best of us. Taking breaks gives us perspective. It reconnects us with our “why.” It lets us return creative, grounded, and ready. When leaders model this, they build a culture that values people – not just productivity. If you’ve delayed that vacation or pushed through burnout thinking your mission can’t wait: the work will be here when you get back. And you’ll be better for having stepped away. I’ll be off until mid-July. I hope you find your own window to rest, recharge, and remember who you are outside the job. You deserve it. And the people you serve deserve the best version of you – not someone running on fumes. Cheers!  P.S. Don’t worry – while I’m away, I’ve scheduled fresh content to post on my TikTok, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, and Bluesky. So if you need encouragement or inspiration, it’ll be waiting for you.
PPS - I hope you’ll continue the conversation by subscribing to Real Deal Fundraising. When you subscribe, you’ll get my e-newsletter, which includes the best articles on fundraising, productivity, and cool stuff every week. The whole thing is curated awesomeness as well as freebies like webinars, instructional videos, and whatever else I can put together to be helpful to you!  The Magic Formula for Making a Confident Fundraising AskLet’s talk about a moment that strikes fear into the hearts of even the most seasoned fundraisers: the ask itself. Not the stewardship. Not the cultivation. Not the coffee chat or the tour. The moment when it’s time to name a number and ask a question. I’ve trained hundreds of folks, from student callers to major gift officers and presidents, and this is where so many otherwise capable fundraisers freeze. They hedge. They mumble. They talk around the gift instead of actually asking for it. That hesitation is what sinks so many proposals—because if you don’t ask clearly, the donor doesn’t know how to answer. Or worse, they walk away unclear on what you needed from them at all. The good news? Asking well isn’t about being fearless or charismatic. It’s about structure. It’s about using a reliable, repeatable framework that gives you confidence and helps the donor have clarity. Here’s what I call my Magic Formula for Making the Ask—and it works whether you’re asking for $100 or $1,000,000. 💬 The Magic Formula: Questioning Opener + Mission Moment + Dollar Amount + Silence Let’s break each part down so you can feel grounded the next time you find yourself sitting across from a donor (or dialing the phone or typing an email, for that matter). ✅ 1. Questioning Opener This is one of the biggest giveaways that a fundraiser isn’t comfortable asking: they frame their “ask” as a statement instead of a question. ❌ “We’d love it if you’d help out with a gift this year.” ❌ “It would be wonderful if you supported us again.” ❌ “We’re hoping you’ll get involved this year.” None of these are technically wrong, but they leave the donor hanging. They don’t invite a response. And they definitely don’t feel like the moment of decision that a real ask should be. Compare that to: ✅ “Would you be willing to make a gift of $5,000 to support undergraduate research?” ✅ “Can we count on you for support at the $25,000 level this year?” ✅ “Will you help our students with a $1,000 gift to the Dean’s Fund?” These are direct. Respectful. And clear. By ending your ask with a question, you’re signaling that it’s now the donor’s turn to speak. That subtle shift sets up a healthy, balanced fundraising conversation. ✅ 2. Mission Moment + Dollar Amount This is where you tie the ask to purpose. Don’t just ask for money—anchor the ask in something that matters. This is what moves the donor from “How much?” to “What for?” Instead of: ❌ “Would you consider a gift this year?” Try: ✅ “To help provide book scholarships for every student in the program, would you make a gift of $10,000?” Instead of: ❌ “We’d love your support.” Try: ✅ “To allow faculty to attend national research conferences this year, would you be willing to give $2,500?” You are the bridge between the mission and the donor’s capacity to make something good happen. That’s your role. You’re not begging. You’re inviting them into something meaningful—with clarity. And don’t shy away from being specific. A donor can always say no to a number. That’s okay. But if you ask, “Would you consider helping us out?” and they say “No,” you’ve left yourself no room to move. When you name a number, you create the chance for a real conversation. They might say, “That’s higher than I was thinking,” and now you can respond: “What would feel more comfortable for you?” or “Would you like to stretch that over a multi-year pledge?” Specificity unlocks possibilities. Vagueness shuts them down. ✅ 3. End. Pause. Listen. This is the part that makes or breaks it. Once you’ve made the ask—STOP TALKING. I know. It’s awkward. It feels like an eternity. But it’s crucial. The silence after the ask gives your donor time to process. It allows them to think. It gives them space to share what’s really on their mind. And what you learn in that silence? That’s gold. Maybe the timing’s off: “I just paid my kid’s tuition bill.” Maybe they need buy-in: “I’d have to talk it over with my spouse.” Maybe they’re passionate—but about something else: “I’d rather support the scholarships instead of the building fund.” If you rush in to fill the silence, you will miss all of that. You’ll speak from your own nervousness instead of their reality—and you’ll never know what part of the ask didn’t work for them. Practice the pause. Get comfortable sitting in it. It’s where the most honest parts of the conversation live. Bringing It All Together: Here’s a strong ask, built using the Magic Formula: “To help us provide every student in our department with book scholarships, would you be willing to make a pledge of $25,000—$5,000 a year for five years?” [PAUSE] If they say yes—celebrate and affirm it. Then let them know next steps to document and facilitate the gift payment. If they say no—that’s your cue to start the conversation. “Would it help to spread the gift out?” or “Is there a specific area you’d like to support instead?” But don’t jump ahead. Let them answer first. Want More on What Amount to Ask For? I’ve got a whole system for deciding how much to ask for—based on donor history, capacity, engagement, and more. If you'd like me to write about that next, leave a comment or shoot me a message. I'm happy to dig into that in a future post. Cheers!  PS - I hope you’ll continue the conversation by subscribing to Real Deal Fundraising. When you subscribe, you’ll get my e-newsletter, which includes the best articles on fundraising, productivity, and cool stuff every week. The whole thing is curated awesomeness as well as freebies like webinars, instructional videos, and whatever else I can put together to be helpful to you!
 Your Board Wants to Help with Fundraising – They Just Don’t Know HowLet’s bust a myth right now: “Our board won’t help with fundraising.” That’s almost never the full truth. Most board members want to help. They believe in your mission. They want your organization to succeed. What they don’t have is clarity or support. They don’t know what to do, where to start, or how to help in a way that feels comfortable and meaningful. In other words: this is usually a training problem, not a motivation problem. If you want board members to engage with fundraising, you have to give them a roadmap. That’s why I created a “Board Fundraising Menu” – an easy, low-pressure way to show board members that fundraising is more than just asking for money. (Full transparency: this is an idea inspired by Andy Robinson, who has great books about how to train your board to raise money.) It’s about helping create the conditions where giving is more likely. I used this with a higher education Board of Trustees and told them it was an “All You Can Eat” menu but they had to pick at least one from each category: Appetizers, Entrees, and Desserts. I walked them through filling it out in the meeting and left with a list of folks who could write notes, open doors, make calls, and host events! Here are 3 specific actions your board members could take today: Appetizer: Sign and personalize donor letterS If picking up the phone makes them queasy, that’s fine. Start here. A short handwritten note or a personally signed appeal letter makes a huge difference – and helps board members feel included without the pressure of a direct ask. Entrée: Host a house party or donor touR This one’s for your connectors. Board members don’t have to ask for money – they just need to open the door. Hosting a gathering where staff shares impact stories or tours a program site is a powerful way to build trust and widen your prospect funnel. Dessert: Make thank-you calls to donorS No one is ever mad about a thank-you call. And hearing directly from a board member? That’s memorable. It boosts donor retention (especially for first time donors) and builds board confidence in your development process. But here’s the truth: board members need support. Okay, okay – you’re busy. I know. You’re running events, managing emails, answering the auditor’s questions, and cleaning up after the copier jammed again. But they’re busy too. They’re volunteers. They have full-time jobs, families, responsibilities – and most of them have never done this before. Anyone would feel unsure operating outside their expertise. So when a board member says, “I’ll introduce you to my friend,” the best thing you can do is write a draft email for them to send. Not because they can’t write one, but because it saves them time and anxiety. It gives them something to react to. They can edit it to sound like themselves – but only they can send it. If they offer to make calls, set them up for success with a guide that explains the data set, answers frequently asked questions, and provides scripts and samples. And don’t forget to give them a seamless way to get all that feedback to you so it can be recorded in your database too! Your role? Be their concierge. Their guide. Their teacher. When you hold their hand through these steps, you're not just getting results today – you’re building better, more confident board members for the future. The secret? Board members are your partners. But knowing that doesn't automatically translate into action. Most organizations need a honest look at what's actually getting in the way before they can build something that sticks. That's exactly what a Board Fundraising Alignment Call is for. It's a complimentary and focused conversation where we figure out whether your board's current fundraising culture and structure are set up to support growth or quietly working against it. No fluff. No generic advice. Just a real look at where things stand and what to do next. If you've been feeling like you're the only one carrying the fundraising load, or like your board wants to help but nobody can seem to make it happen, this call is a good place to start. Because "they won't help" can become "they're showing up every month" with the right structure in place. And you don't have to figure that out alone. Talk soon, Jessica Cheers!  Want the full board engagement menu? PS - If you loved the Board Fundraising Menu and want a head start on implementing that idea, you can download it straight from my Resources page. Print it out, bring it to your next board meeting, and let them pick their own adventure. PPS - I hope you’ll continue the conversation by subscribing to Real Deal Fundraising. When you subscribe, you’ll get my e-newsletter, which includes the best articles on fundraising, productivity, and cool stuff every week. The whole thing is curated awesomeness as well as freebies like webinars, instructional videos, and whatever else I can put together to be helpful to you! If you liked this…
 Don’t Add Another Event Until You Read ThisI get it – events feel like momentum. They’re visible. They’re exciting. And if your board or staff is worried about revenue, the first suggestion is often: “What if we did another fundraiser?” But here’s the thing I wish more nonprofits understood: More events aren’t always the solution. Sometimes, they’re the problem. Events are expensive – even when they "make money"Sure, your spring gala might net $12,000 after expenses. But how many staff hours did it take to plan? How many other fundraising activities were delayed or abandoned in the lead-up? Did it bring in new major donors or long-term monthly supporters? Or was it mostly your usual crowd eating chicken and bidding on a silent auction basket? I’m not saying you should never do events. But I am saying you need to know what each one is actually doing for your mission – and at what cost. I have strong feelings about 5Ks and golf tournaments – and here’s whY Because they trick you into thinking you’re fundraising, when what you’re really doing is facilitating a transaction. Participants are there to run, or to play golf. They’re not connecting to your mission. They're not hearing stories of impact or seeing their role in your work. They’re getting a t-shirt and a swag bag – and then they’re gone. You might as well be selling donuts on the street corner. So how do you know if an event is actually worth it? Ask yourself:
What if we have an event and I can’t cancel it? Now, if you’ve got an event that’s locked in – maybe it’s tradition, or there’s a sponsor you don’t want to lose – make it count. Infuse as much mission into that event as you possibly can. Don’t just entertain – connect. I once went to a Broadway revue fundraiser for a group supporting teens in foster care, and in between each number, they played short audio clips of the teens sharing their stories. It was powerful. I still remember those voices. That’s what sticks. And that kind of emotional resonance is what opens the door for deeper engagement. Pair that with a strong follow-up plan – something that nurtures those attendees beyond their ticket or entry fee – and you can turn one-time guests into long-term donors who truly understand and care about your work. The Hidden Cost No One Talks AbouT Every event on your calendar takes time – time your team could be spending building real relationships with major donors, deepening stewardship, or crafting a compelling campaign that brings in five- or six-figure gifts. That’s the real opportunity cost. It’s not just the hours spent on centerpieces or silent auction items – it’s the connections you didn’t make, the asks you didn’t have time to prep, the impact that got delayed because your best energy was tied up elsewhere. If you want transformational gifts, you need the bandwidth to pursue them. Events rarely give you that. A smart plan does. How to Stop Letting Events Run Your StrategY In my Smart Start Fundraising System, we assess your fundraising “vehicles” – the methods you use to reach donors. Events are just one of many vehicles. And often, there are smarter, leaner options with better ROI. But the real magic happens when you zoom out and create a Plan – one that aligns your fundraising activities with your goals, capacity, and budget. Not every organization needs a gala. Some need a good direct mail strategy. Others need better donor journeys or stronger partner engagement. When your events support your overall plan instead of driving it, everything clicks. Before you plan another event… Ask yourself: Is this the best use of our time, energy, and budget? And if you’re not sure? 💡 That’s exactly what my course, The Smart Start Fundraising System, helps you figure out. We walk through your fundraising menu, evaluate the ROI of each activity, and build a plan that plays to your strengths – without burning your team out. 🎯 Enrollment is open now! You’ll get instant access to the training, tools, templates, and bonuses – plus 5 CFRE credits. 👉 [Click here to enroll today] and start building a smarter, more sustainable fundraising plan. Because you deserve a fundraising strategy that works as hard as you do. Cheers!  PS - I hope you’ll continue the conversation by subscribing to Real Deal Fundraising. When you subscribe, you’ll get my e-newsletter, which includes the best articles on fundraising, productivity, and cool stuff every week. The whole thing is curated awesomeness as well as freebies like webinars, instructional videos, and whatever else I can put together to be helpful to you! If you liked this…
 The CFRE Credential: What I Got Right, What I Got Wrong, and Why It Was Worth ItOf all my blog posts and TikTok videos, some of the most popular have been when I’ve talked about becoming a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE). Every time I share about it, I get a flood of DMs and emails with questions like:
So I decided it was time to pull everything together – my real-world experience applying, what I learned the hard way when I took the exam (spoiler: I failed the first time), and why I still believe the CFRE is one of the most valuable credentials in our profession. Here’s what I got right, what I got wrong, and why I’m so glad I did it. Step One: The Application Process is (Actually) User FriendlY Here’s the good news: applying for the CFRE is easier than you think. You just go to www.cfre.org, create a login, and begin your application. Even if you don’t plan to apply right away, you can start tracking your experience and education in the system. It’s like a running professional development journal. Pro tip: You don’t need those little CFRE credit certificates from every session. If the program was hosted by a reputable organization (AFP, CASE, Academic Impressions, etc.), just record the title, sponsor, and date. Bonus – recent changes mean that all your volunteer and service work now counts under “Education.” You’ll also track:
For example, I received credit for a building campaign I directed – even though I didn’t personally ask every donor – because I managed the campaign from the ground up. For my management project, I submitted a policy document I drafted that improved how naming opportunities were documented and proposals were generated. It counted. Once you’ve entered enough qualifying experience, the system will literally give you a green light in each section. That’s when you can pay the exam fee and move forward. Step Two: Don’t Make My Mistake with the ExaM Here’s where I blew it. I decided to take the CFRE exam cold. No prep. No studying. And even though I had 10+ years of experience… I failed by just a few points. The CFRE exam isn’t just a knowledge test – it’s a judgment test. It won’t ask: “Why should you start a donor relations program?” It’ll ask: “What is the first step you should take to build a donor relations program?” And several answers will be technically correct. You have to pick the best one, in the right sequence, based on what a seasoned, ethical professional should do. After my initial disappointment (and, okay, a little self-pity), I registered again for the next testing window. I bought the AFP CFRE Review Guide (worth every penny), and I practiced with sample questions to get a feel for the exam’s structure. If you’re preparing, my advice is this:
Why the CFRE Was Worth IT Earning my CFRE made me a better advancement professional. Period. But it also gave me something more – credibility, confidence, and clarity about what kind of fundraiser I want to be. Here’s why I believe the CFRE is a valuable credential: 1. It signals real expertise. Fundraising isn’t (yet) an academic discipline. The CFRE is shorthand that you know your stuff. It’s like a degree that speaks directly to your skillset and experience. 2. It shows your commitment to ethics. The CFRE requires – and enforces – a high standard of fundraising ethics. That matters. It matters to your employer, to your donors, and to the reputation of the entire nonprofit sector. 3. It demonstrates your dedication to continual growth. In a field that’s always evolving, this credential shows you’re serious about your craft. That you’re not just working hard – you’re working smart and staying sharp. Want to Earn CFRE Credits Right Now? My new course, The Smart Start Fundraising System, offers 5 CFRE continuing education credits and gives you a complete, strategic system to build your annual fundraising plan. Whether you’re already certified and need credits, or you’re planning to apply soon, this course is a great way to invest in your professional development and build a plan you’ll actually follow. And if you have questions about the CFRE process or exam – hit reply or leave a comment. I’d love to hear your story. Are you thinking about applying? What’s holding you back? Let’s talk about it. 💬 Cheers!  PS - I hope you’ll continue the conversation by subscribing to Real Deal Fundraising. When you subscribe, you’ll get my e-newsletter, which includes the best articles on fundraising, productivity, and cool stuff every week. The whole thing is curated awesomeness as well as freebies like webinars, instructional videos, and whatever else I can put together to be helpful to you!
 Why Most Fundraising Plans Fail (and How to Build One That Doesn’t)Let’s be honest: a lot of “fundraising plans” aren’t really plans. They’re a collection of ideas scribbled in the margins of a notebook. A to-do list that gets buried under meeting notes. Or a spreadsheet no one has opened since last fiscal year. And when things feel uncertain or urgent, even the most well-intentioned plan gets abandoned. So why do most fundraising plans fail? After 20+ years of working in and coaching nonprofit teams, here’s what I’ve seen over and over again: 1. The plan is not aligned with real capacity. Too many plans are built for imaginary versions of our organizations. You know the ones: the org with unlimited time, a full development team, and a budget for days. In real life, you’ve got a stretched-thin staff, a volunteer board, and one printer that jams every third sheet. The best fundraising plans start where you are. They work with your current capacity – not against it. They help you make choices, not just lists. Staff turnover is one of the biggest challenges that can set you back in fundraising and burnout is often the cause. If you build your plan around the staff you have and use technology to leverage that plan, you can mitigate burnout and turnover. 2. The plan is disconnected from results. If your plan doesn’t tell you how much money you can expect to raise – and from which methods – it’s not a plan. It’s a wish list. A strong fundraising plan includes projections based on past data, average gift sizes, and realistic conversion rates. This lets you set expectations, allocate resources wisely, and make the case for investments when needed. I did an entire blog post showing you how to build those projections so you know what you are able to raise, not just what you wish you would raise. No more spaghetti-on-the-wall fundraising. Just clear goals with measurable outcomes. 3. The plan doesn’t assign real accountability (Or backup).Even when a plan exists, it often fails at the handoff: no one knows who’s doing what – or worse, everyone thinks someone else is handling it. That’s why the final step of a good plan is assigning each task to a specific person. And then assigning a backup person to be cross-trained. This keeps your plan running when life happens – vacations, sick days, job changes – and builds resilience into your team. That’s why I wrote about building a responsibility calendar to protect your plan and ensure it becomes real. No more scrambling. Everyone knows their role, and the show goes on. So what does a successful fundraising plan look like? It’s clear. It’s doable. And it starts with what I call the MVPPP Framework, which is part of my Smart Start Fundraising System course:
Want to build your best fundraising plan yet? My new course, The Smart Start Fundraising System, is officially here! It’s designed for nonprofit leaders who are tired of spinning their wheels and ready to raise more – strategically, confidently, and without burnout. 🎯 Inside, you'll learn how to craft a compelling message, choose the right methods, identify and engage donors, mobilize your board, and build a plan you can actually execute – all using my proven MVPPP framework. ✅ 5 Pre-approved CFRE credit hours available ✅ Four high-impact bonus trainings included ✅ A 21 page workbook plus tools, templates, and spreadsheets you can plug and play 💻 Enrollment is open now! Price is $549 Take a look, see what’s inside, and get started at your own pace: 👉 Take a closer look here. Because passion doesn’t build a fundraising plan. But clarity? That’ll take you the distance. Cheers!  PS - I hope you’ll continue the conversation by subscribing to Real Deal Fundraising. When you subscribe, you’ll get my e-newsletter, which includes the best articles on fundraising, productivity, and cool stuff every week. The whole thing is curated awesomeness as well as freebies like webinars, instructional videos, and whatever else I can put together to be helpful to you! If you liked this… |
Jessica Cloud, CFREI've been called the Tasmanian Devil of fundraising and I'm here to talk shop with you. Archives
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