AFP > Resource Center | Resource tools


	Advanced Search

AFP Home > Resource Center > Resource tools

Housed in these pages are useful research tools offered by the Resource Center to aid your research. New tools are added frequently, so check this site often!

	Writing Effective Newsletters, Online and Off (June 16, 2009) Learn what makes newsletters valuable, both in hard copy and email, and what makes someone want to read your newsletter in the first place. READ MORE

	Getting Familiar With the New Form 990 (May 5, 2009) Legal experts at Perlman & Perlman LLP describe the changes to the IRS 990 and their ramifications for fundraising and nonprofits. READ MORE

	Engaging Your Board in Sustainable Fundraising (April 21, 2009) Most board members don’t want to be fundraisers—rather they want to be board members who are successful at fundraising, says Dave Sternberg of Achieve LLC. He offers tips on cultivating board members’ fundraising skills. READ MORE

	AFP Guidance: Fundraising in a Difficult Economy (March 10, 2009) In response to member concerns and questions about how charities and fundraisers should be responding to the current fundraising environment, AFP has developed some suggested best practices, tips and guidelines to maximize fundraising efforts and position organizations for future success. READ MORE

	AFP Members Receive Discount on Education Journal (July. 19, 2006) The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) renewed its agreement with London-based Palgrave Macmillan Journals to sponsor the International Journal of Educational Advancement (IJEA). READ MORE

	Pierpont-Welde Affiliate Libraries The AFP Affiliate Library Program encourages AFP chapters to establish a local collection of educational materials on fundraising and philanthropy for use by members and the public. There are currently 62 Affiliate Libraries. An alphabetical list follows. READ MORE

	Nonprofits' Most Missed Marketing Tool—Email Signatures (June 30, 2009) Email signatures (a.k.a. sig lines) are powerful, low-cost, high-return marketing tools (a virtual business card or ad) for your foundation or organization. What's interesting is how seldom sig lines are used. READ MORE

	Understanding the Value of Multichannel Fundraising (June 30, 2009) An email campaign can be a great supplement to direct mail fundraising efforts, even if people still donate via the mail. READ MORE

	Unlock Deeper Engagement—Get Your Donor’s Email Address (June 30, 2009) Nowadays, having lasting contact with donors and supporters means having their email address. Getting an email address, however, requires doing more than just asking for it. Consider what’s in it for the donor. READ MORE

	How NOT to Get Results With a Fundraising Letter (June 16, 2009) Direct mail veteran Mal Warwick describes five things that hurt the success of a fundraising letter—and explains how to avoid them. READ MORE

	Take the “Numb” Out of Numbers (June 16, 2009) Sometimes numbers alone just don’t cut it. What are the tangible results? What does a million dollars really mean for our community? Find out how to use metaphors to bring your statistics to life. READ MORE

	Major Gifts: It’s Not the Donation Amount that Matters—it’s the Strength of the Relationship (June 2, 2009) Find out ways that you can build a deeper relationship with a donor to inspire a major gift. The trick is to measure success by the connection you and your organization have with a donor, and not set limits based on current giving level. READ MORE

	Preparing an Airtight Script for the Major-Gift Ask (June 2, 2009) Laura Fredricks, author of The Ask, describes the elements of an effective script for a major gift ask—to be used by a fundraiser, board member or volunteer. Learn why writing a good script is essential. READ MORE

	Insights About the Leadership Transition Process (May 19, 2009) Having served several organizations as an interim chief executive, John Corwin describes what it is like for an organization to transition to a new leader. He also offers some helpful advice. READ MORE

	Foundation Relations: Don't Let the Big Table Stand in Your Way (May 5, 2009) eWire contributing writer Derrick Feldmann shares his experiences working with nonprofits and foundations and offers some advice on how to build an authentic relationship, including some helpful do’s and don’ts. READ MORE

	Funder Perspective: Ways to Build Stronger Ties With Foundations (May 5, 2009) Sometimes for a foundation, making a grant to an organization is a lot like sending a child to college. What are they really doing with the large investment you’ve made? This week eWire spoke with two seasoned foundation leaders about what they are looking for in a grantmaker-grantee relationship. READ MORE

	Grantwriting Tip: Cast Your Agency as a Hero, Not a Superhero (May 5, 2009) When writing a proposal for a foundation grant, describe lofty goals and objectives, but not ones that are clearly out of grasp, says fundraiser and short story writer Cheryl Clarke. She shares an excerpt from her book Storytelling for Grantseekers. READ MORE

	Assembling a Great Board (April 21, 2009) Choosing the right board means going beyond affluence and influence, says Simone Joyaux, ACFRE. Great board members are brutally honest, passionate and collaborative. READ MORE

	Diverse Boards—Are You Prepared for Real Change? (April 21, 2009) Diversifying your board requires organizational reflection. And inclusion does not end when you see new and different faces around the table. READ MORE

	Leadership Skills Demanded By Today’s Economy (April 6, 2009) Today’s nonprofit leaders face tough decisions regarding programs, staffing and budgets, all while ensuring they are meeting the needs of their community. Read what qualities are needed in this new landscape. READ MORE

	Nonprofit Leaders Containing Costs, Retaining Staff (April 6, 2009) Despite the tough economic times, many nonprofit organizations are taking steps to shore up their bottom line without sacrificing their missions—and their leaders are treating layoffs as a last resort, a survey shows. READ MORE

	Tapping Into Social Networks—Raise Funds, Build Community (March 9, 2009) This week AFP featured social networking/web 2.0 tools in its newsletter, eWire Skill Builder. Here is our full coverage of the topic. AFP members receive eWire weekly in their email inbox. Not a member of AFP? Join today! READ MORE

	Don’t Miss Two 'Wired' Web/Audioconferences on Online Marketing and Web 2.0 (March 9, 2009) AFP is offering two great web/audioconferences covering online tools and better ways of reaching the donors of “Generation 2.0.” Get your message out and build support with the World Wide Web. Hurry, these presentations are happening soon! READ MORE

	Raise More Money with Less by Embracing Self-Organized ‘Swarms’ (March 9, 2009) What happens when companies and individuals take it upon themselves to organize their own efforts to raise awareness and money for your cause? What do you do? How do you control the message? How do you protect your donors? READ MORE

	How Do You Measure the Success of Fundraising on Social Networks? Dollars or Doggie Treats? (March 9, 2009) Beth Kanter, a guru of social networking for nonprofits, shares with eWire readers this week how the Humane Society of the United States has found its way to success with new online tools. READ MORE

	Network Globally With ammado (March 9, 2009) To help members connect with fundraisers in different countries, AFP has partnered with ammado, an online global networking community for the nonprofit sector. READ MORE

	Twitter: It Isn't Just for Breakfast Anymore (March 9, 2009) There is a growing number of savvy early-adopters in the nonprofit world taking advantage of Twitter as a “friend-raising” tool. Once they have built up their social capital, they are turning it into a fundraising machine. Learn more about this new social networking tool. READ MORE

	Welcome to Web 2.0: Where Community Comes First, Then Fundraising (March 9, 2009) With all the buzz around social networking, what should a fundraiser do about it? Is it worth your time? Jono Smith, vice president of marketing at Network for Good advises us to ask a few important questions before diving in. READ MORE

	Get In Touch: Two Upcoming AFP Presentations Focus on Marketing (Feb. 23, 2009) Act now to take advantage of two great AFP Web/Audioconferences related to marketing. This Thursday, learn how to make the most of every encounter with donors. On March 12, find out how to make a “human” connection in the world of online outreach. READ MORE

	Check Your Mindset to Market Your Way Out of the Recession (Feb. 23, 2009) If you don’t believe your own message, who is going to believe you? Here are some tips for successful, “I think I can” marketing. READ MORE

	How to Build and Promote an Online Monthly Donor Program (Feb. 23, 2009) Think turning yearly donors into monthly donors involves a flood of time, energy and paper? Think again. Learn how to incorporate a recurring online gift program without all the sweat. READ MORE

	Lasting Impression: Moving Your Brand Beyond Logos and Letterhead (Feb. 23, 2009) A logo, a tagline, a name. These are only a part of your organization’s public identity. Jocelyne Daw explains how a unique brand can get to the core of what you stand for and work to achieve. READ MORE

	Acknowledgement: Making Donors Proud of Their Gifts (Feb. 9, 2009) Thanking donors is part of building a relationship, whether that comes in the form of a letter, a gift or a simple handshake, says Kim Strydonck of Ottawa, Ontario. READ MORE

	Donor Recognition: Thinking Like a Donor (Feb. 9, 2009) The value of recognizing your donors goes far beyond showing appreciation for a gift. Recognition can motivate donors to be strong and lasting supporters of your organization. READ MORE

	Freshly Baked Cookies and Other Ways to Say 'Thank You' (Feb. 9, 2009) It’s the thought that counts, as they say. But if you want to show donors your gratitude in a memorable way, your recognition should be creative, unique, even personal. READ MORE

	Where Donor Recognition Meets Brand Recognition (Feb. 9, 2009) Donor recognition designers and manufacturers say that, especially in this economy, donor walls and gifts need to do more than say “thank you.” READ MORE

	Essential Cultivation Steps Before—and After—'The Ask' (Jan. 26, 2009) The process of good donor relations does not stop once a gift has been made. It is just beginning, according to veteran fundraiser Laura Fredricks JD, LLC, who explains that stewardship goes far beyond the words “thank you.” READ MORE

	Face-to-Face: How to Hold Focused, Successful Meetings With Donors (Jan. 26, 2009) “The key to donor relations today is to think of it like customer relations,” says Erika Dockery, CFRE, executive director of the World Affairs Council of Greater Cincinnati. She offers ways to help you end with results rather than loose ends. READ MORE

	Weathering the Storm Together: How to Build Stronger Ties With Donors in Tough Economic Times (Jan. 26, 2009) During tough economic times, organizations often take two approaches. Some hunker down and wait for the storm to pass. Others step up efforts and bring donors in. READ MORE

	Listen Up! Ways to Improve Your Listening and Observation Skills With Donors (Jan. 26, 2009) When you meet with a donor, of course you listen to them. But are you really listening? Learn some simple ways to tune into your donors and record the telling details. READ MORE

	Direct Response: Ways to Cut Costs, Not Returns (Jan. 12, 2009) Looking to tune up your direct mail campaign and trim down expenses? Before you start loosening screws and removing parts, read this advice from a veteran direct response expert. READ MORE

	Expand Your Mail Campaigns Into Web Campaigns...And Other Online Tips (Jan. 12, 2009) Do you believe that your organization is not sophisticated enough to enter the world of online giving? Think again. Not only can you likely achieve more on the web than you currently are, but if you track your successes, you’ll learn how better to reach your constituents. READ MORE

	Industry Outlooks: The New Fundraising Paradigm (Jan. 12, 2009) Direct marketing is rapidly changing. Most organizations are experiencing declines in donor response, acquisition and renewals—but not a result of donor fatigue, the economy or any other short term impact. It is a signal that donors, competition and the media are changing. READ MORE

	Written Appeals: Imaginative Ways to Ask Donors to Give More (Jan. 12, 2009) Caught in a rut with how you make the “ask” in your appeal letters? Want to encourage annual fund donors to give more? Here are some effective strategies. READ MORE

	Sample Document: Board Individual Development Plan (Nov. 18, 2008) Alexi Miller, development director for Acterra: Action for a Healthy Planet in Palo Alto, Calif., has graciously provided a copy of a board member contract that specifies the different ways each board member will contribute to an organization's fundraising activities. AFP thanks Alexi for providing the document for other AFP members to review and use. READ MORE

	Book Review: The Ultimate Question (Oct. 6, 2008) What do nonprofits and for-profits have in common? According to The Ultimate Question, written by Fred Reichheld, director emeritus and fellow at Bain & Company, customer loyalty is at the core of creating and maintaining successful relationships with constituencies. READ MORE

	Crafting an Inspiring Tagline: What Not to Do (Sept. 22, 2008) Does your nonprofit’s name sound like several others? Do people always ask, “So what does your organization do?” Incorporating a tagline into your organization’s branding can clarify the unique mission of your organization and give people a reason to look deeper. READ MORE

	Fundraising Tips: The Art of Setting and Changing Giving Levels (Sept. 22, 2008) It seems easy on the surface—set up a series of donation amounts and develop a plan for recognizing donors as they reach each level. However, adding to or changing giving levels can be dangerous terrain if you don’t do your homework. READ MORE

	Member Documents: Development Committee (Sept. 19, 2008) Ruth Stenberg, director of development and gift planning for Concord Counseling Service in Westerville, Ohio, has graciously provided a description of and qualifications for her organization's development committee, as well as a commitment and sign-up form for the committee. READ MORE

	Member Article: Evaluating Gift Planner Performance (Sept. 2, 2008) Tom Cullinan, president of Tom Cullinan Charitable Giving Counsel in Omaha, Neb., has provided AFP members with an article about assessing the performance of charity gift planners. The article orginally appeared in the Spring 2008 issue of The Journal of Gift Planning. READ MORE

	Sample Document: Case for Support (Aug. 8, 2008) Tom Lazar, the director of development for Light of Life Rescue Mission in Pittsburgh, Pa., has provided the attached case for support (draft) for an upcoming major gifts campaign for his organization. READ MORE

	Sample Material: Strategic Development Plan (Aug. 4, 2008) Catherine Dublis, development representative for Degage Ministries in Grand Rapds, Mich., has provided the following strategic development plan and timeline for review and use by AFP members. READ MORE

	Sample Documents: Accountability of Monies Online Forum Discussion (May 4, 2008) As part of the online discussion on AFP's forums regarding accountability of monies and reconciliing accounting and fundraising, Barbara Clemenson, CPA, CFRE, adjunct instructor with Case Western Reserve University and City Vision College, and consultant with SDG Nonprofit Consulting in Euclid, Ohio, has graciously agreed to allow AFP to post two documents she developed for review and use by AFP members. READ MORE

	Giving USA Discount for AFP Members (Jan. 14, 2007) The Giving USA Foundation, which produces the annual Giving USA reports on total giving in the United States, is offering AFP members an exclusive $15 discount off any Giving USA product. READ MORE

	AFP Webconference Series Announced for 2008 (Nov. 19, 2007) The AFP Audioconference series is moving to a new enhanced Webconference format in 2008, covering such topics as feasibility studies, stewardship, negotiating, marketing, diversity, planned giving and ethics, to name just a few. READ MORE

	Major Gifts Resources: Conducting a Successful Major Gifts and Planned Giving Program (Oct. 29, 2007) Throughout the month of October, AFP will be focusing on resources that will train fundraisers in major gift fundraising and help them build (and continue) a major gifts program. This week’s spotlight is on Conducting a Successful Major Gifts and Planned Giving Program by Kent E. Dove, CFRE, Alan M. Spears and Thomas W. Herbert. READ MORE

	Major Gifts Resources: Planning and Implementing Your Major Gifts Campaign (Oct. 22, 2007) Throughout the month of October, AFP will be focusing on resources that will train fundraisers in major gift fundraising and help them build (and continue) a major gifts program. This week’s spotlight is on Planning and Implementing Your Major Gifts Campaign by Suzanne Irwin-Wells. READ MORE

	Major Gifts Resources: Nonprofit Essentials: Major Gifts (Oct. 15, 2007) Throughout the month of October, AFP will be focusing on resources that will train fundraisers in major gift fundraising and help them build (and continue) a major gifts program. This week’s spotlight is on Nonprofit Essentials: Major Gifts, by Julia Ingraham Walker. READ MORE

	Major Gifts Resources: Turning Small Donors into Big Contributors (Oct. 8, 2007) Throughout the month of October, AFP will be focusing on resources that will train fundraisers in major gift fundraising and help them build (and continue) a major gifts program. This week’s spotlight is on Developing Major Gifts: Turning Small Donors into Big Contributors, by Laura Fredricks, J.D. READ MORE

	Success with “Nonevent” Events (Aug. 6, 2007) In April 2007, AFP member Linda Sorensen asked her colleagues for advice and examples of “nonevent” events. AFP eWire is pleased to announce that her first “nonevent” event was a big success. READ MORE

	Reminder: Tax Treatment of Cash Donations (Dec. 18, 2006) Fundraisers should remember that there are new rules regarding the treatment of cash donations for deduction purposes. READ MORE

	AFP Blogs: Keep Up With the World of Philanthropy (Dec. 11, 2006) The AFP Blogs are a great way to stay updated on events and trends in fundraising and philanthropy, but don’t take AFP’s word for it! Tom Watson, publisher of onPhilanthropy, an online resource for nonprofits, had this to say about the AFP Blogs back in October. READ MORE

	The IRA Rollover: Strategies and Cautions (Oct. 23, 2006) The Individual Retirement Account (IRA) Rollover is one of the biggest charitable giving tax incentives to be created in years. But how exactly does it work, and what do charities need to know about the provision in order to approach donors and potential donors who might want to give through their IRAs? READ MORE

	Connecting Board Members to Organizations (July 10, 2006) A free online service allows U.S. charities seeking board members and individuals wanting to serve on boards to connect with one another. READ MORE

	Covering the Basics: A Direct Mail Primer (Jan. 17, 2006) Each component of the direct-mail package--whether it is the envelope, letter itself or the reply materials--is valuable real estate on which you can build successful communications. READ MORE

	Young People's Volunteerism on the Rise (Dec. 19, 2005) More young people volunteer than adults, and a strong majority of them are interested in continuing to volunteer well into the future, according to two different surveys. READ MORE

	Tapping Into Baby Boomer Volunteerism (Dec. 12, 2005) A new report provides fresh research about the aging of the U.S.'s labor force and suggests ways that both for-profits and nonprofits can tap into the talent and energy of the baby boomer generation for their volunteer programs. READ MORE

	Eight Articles Added to AFP Website for Senior Practitioners (Nov. 14, 2005) The AFP Research Council has selected eight 'classic' articles from the quarterly publication New Directions for Philanthropic Fundraising, published by John Wiley & Sons, and made them available on the AFP website. READ MORE

	Resource Central October 2005: Online Resources You Can Use (Oct. 31, 2005) This month's Resource Central focuses on two websites that can provide a variety of information and data on the charitable sector, and a new report containing insights into how charities can better communicate with Congress. READ MORE

	What's Working October 2005: Tips from AFP Members (Oct. 17, 2005) Practical tips, advice and guidance from fellow practitioners often can spell the difference between success and failure. October's edition of 'What's Working' features tips and guidance offered by AFP members over the past two years. READ MORE

	What's Working: Tips From AFP Members (Aug. 15, 2005) Practical tips, advice and guidance from fellow practitioners often can spell the difference between success and failure. August's edition of 'What's Working' features tips and guidance offered by AFP members over the past two years. READ MORE

	Resource Central July 2005: Online Resources You Can Use (July 25, 2005) This month's Resource Central features communications toolkits, guidelines for evaluating life insurance gifts and an online nonprofit resource database. READ MORE

	What's Working: Fundraising Tips from AFP Members (July 18, 2005) Practical tips, advice and guidance from fellow practitioners often can spell the difference between success and failure. Starting in July, AFP will begin publishing some of the best tips that have appeared in 'What's Working,' a compendium of advice offered by AFP members that appears in each issue of Advancing Philanthropy. READ MORE

	Boards Must Focus on More Than Just Compliance (June 27, 2005) The result of the ongoing debate over nonprofit accountability has led to the perception among many boards of directors that compliance is their only responsibility, according to a new report by BoardSource. READ MORE

	Resource Central: Disaster Relief and Audit Committee Toolkits, Children's Health Funding, Rural Charities in Canada The first installment of Resource Central features information about toolkits for audit committees and disaster relief and research on children's health funding and rural charities in Canada. READ MORE

	New Resource for Foundations, Donors Interested in Community Building (June 6, 2005) Individuals, family foundations and others interested in issues related to community building, including poverty, homelessness and economic insecurity, now have a new resource to help them learn how to get involved and better target their contributions. READ MORE

	New Website Provides Background, Research on Bequests (May 31, 2005) A grant from the AFP Research Council has helped to establish a new website that provides historical and research data on bequests. READ MORE

	AFP's Fundraising Resource Center Debuts 'The Blog of Blogs' (March 21, 2005) The AFP Fundraising Resource Center has been experimenting with some relatively new technology called blogging. READ MORE

	New AFP Book Series Debuts With Capital Campaigns (Jan. 24, 2005) Nonprofit Essentials: The Capital Campaign is the first volume in AFP's new series of books that focuses on key topics in the fundraising world. READ MORE

	New Funding Policies Needed to Support Nonprofit Innovation (Dec. 13, 2004) Canada Policy Research Networks (CPRN) has released two reports on social innovation in Canada and how foundations, researchers, the government and charities can work together better to increase innovation and capacity. READ MORE

	New Youth Giving Booklet Available to Chapters, Charities (Dec. 13, 2004) The Washington, DC-based Center for Youth as Resources (CYAR) has published a new booklet to help young people better manage their money and learn how to give effectively to charitable organizations. READ MORE

	New Guide to Help Charities Recover from Disasters (Nov. 8, 2004) The Nonprofit Coordinating Committee of New York (NPCC) has produced a new online guide to help charities resume their operations after they have been affected by a disaster or other emergency. READ MORE

	Volunteerism Rates By State (Oct. 21, 2004) The highest rates of volunteerism can be found in Utah, according to a new study by the Points of Light Foundation and researchers at the Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis's Center on Urban and Environmental Policy. READ MORE

	More Places to Find Interns, Volunteers (June 1) Several AFP members responded to a May 3 eWire article about where charities can find interns and volunteers online with additional sites and services in the U.S. and Canada that can be used free of charge. READ MORE

	Use the Net to Find Interns, Volunteers (May 3, 2004) As the summer months rapidly approach, many young people are looking for internship and volunteer positions with nonprofits. A number of websites now offer nonprofits opportunities to find and link with individuals who want to work for nonprofit missions and causes. READ MORE

	AFP Compensation & Benefits Study AFP's Compensation & Benefits Study is the profession's most comprehensive overview of how different positions within fundraising are compensated and how satisifed fundraisers are with their jobs and responsibilities. READ MORE

	Periodicals contact list Following is a contact list for periodicals held by the AFP Resource Center. Visit these publications' websites or call their offices to order reprints. READ MORE

	Pierpont-Welde Affiliate Library Collection The Pierpont-Welde Affiliate Library Collection includes 36 selected works on fundraising and philanthropy. AFP encourages chapters, both as a member service and as a public outreach to their communities, to purchase the Pierpont-Welde Affiliate Library Collection and donate the books to a local library or other site where they will be available to the public. READ MORE

	AFP educational offerings AFP provides the following products and services. READ MORE

	Free Online Fundraising Handbook Available (Aug. 9, 2004) The George Washington University's Institute for Politics, Democracy and the Internet is offering a free handbook for political candidates and nonprofit organizations on how to recruit donors and raise money online. READ MORE