9 Steps for a Successful End-of-Year Appeal
It’s that time of year again. Kids are back in school, the temperatures are starting to drop, and your Board is asking the questions: “Are we going to make our year-end goal?” “Are we doing #GivingTuesday this year?” Whether you already have a plan in place for your end-of-year appeal and #GivingTuesday, or you need […]
Your Campaign Readiness Checklist
“Is our organization ready to launch a campaign?” This question is why Cramer & Associates exists – to help nonprofits prepare for and execute successful campaigns that help fulfill their missions and bring their visions to life. We always say that launching a campaign is best done when your organization needs to. However, it’s crucial […]
Innovation for Your Organization: 5 Key Takeaways from AFP ICON 2023
In today’s competitive environment for donors’ dollars, incorporating innovative ideas and strategies into our work is crucial. Cutting-edge tools and new perspectives increase our impact for our nonprofit partners. The Cramer team has always prioritized lifelong learning and values our relationship with the Association of Fundraising Professionals. That’s why we invested in taking five of […]
Gratitude is a Game Changer
The Revolutionary Power of a Traditional Thank You If trends in the greeting card industry are any indication, thank you notes are in decline. In recent years, prominent card sellers Papyrus and Paper Source have filed for bankruptcy, and younger generations are forgoing handwritten messages in favor of quick and easy texts and emails. Even […]
What to Expect When You’re Expecting a Recession
How should your organization prepare for the challenges ahead? Recession. These days, you can’t pick up a newspaper or turn on a TV without hearing about it. This word conjures anxiety, fear, and horrible memories of economic downturns and crises past. At Cramer & Associates, we’ve been thinking a lot about the 2008 recession, the […]
“Rejection is God’s Protection”
Dawn Robinson, CFRE, Vice President “Rejection is God’s Protection.” I heard this phrase recently from Jamie Kern Lima, founder of IT Cosmetics, on the EntreLeadership Podcast. The truth of it struck me hard. I thought about all the times our Cramer team had put hours upon hours into a proposal or presentation to a nonprofit […]
Fundraising Fitness: Five Signs You’ve Found the Right Nonprofit Consultant
Choosing a nonprofit consultant is a lot like choosing a coach or trainer to help you reach your fitness goals. You’re looking for a partner who will help you get farther than you could alone. But there are so many to choose from. How do you know which one is right for you? Just like […]
Call Your Mother: Lessons in Donor Relationships
Michelle Cramer, CFRE, President & CEO If you’re a parent like me, you know just how much it means to get a call from your child. Not just a Mother’s Day call or an emergency SOS call, but an out-of-the-blue, “thinking of you,” “how’s your day going?” call. It means more than I can say. I […]
A Nonprofit’s Guide to Corporate Philanthropy: Meeting With a Funder
What is corporate philanthropy? As a nonprofit leader, you likely already have a sense of the giving opportunities presented by corporations. You may have made an ask or two of corporate giving officers yourself, but it goes far beyond just dollar amounts or a one-off meeting with a funder filled with predetermined talking points about […]
The Cost of Poor Organizational Health
Michelle Cramer, CFRE, President & CEO, Cramer & Associates Do you see limited employee engagement, poor execution of meetings, decreased connections among team members and inefficiencies in operations within your organization? These are the initial indicators of an unhealthy organization that could be costing your organization greatly. Anyone who has ever worked in an unhealthy organization knows […]
