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Steier Tips

After nearly a quarter century of helping nonprofits plan, reach and exceed their fundraising goals, we’ve accomplished a lot – and learned a thing or two. Our Steier Tips page features the latest Steier Group fundraising advice from our team of experts, case studies and helpful insight to consider as you plan your next campaign.

Apr 24 2020

Giving Tuesday Now Talking Points

By Steier Tips

Make sure to address #GivingTuesdayNow while live streaming your weekend church services. It is the perfect time to communicate the importance of supporting the church and other organizations during this day of giving. And it will serve as a reminder of the fast approaching date. Suggested Pulpit Talking Points- April 25/26 We are probably all familiar with the annual Giving Tuesday movement which has inspired hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate and celebrate generosity for communities and nonprofits around the world. In just over a week, on May 5, we will participate in Giving Tuesday Now which is…

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Apr 22 2020

Giving Tuesday Email Templates

By Steier Tips

GivingTuesday, a worldwide day of giving is on Dec. 1, 2020. Now is the time to inform your donors and supporters about this important day of giving and unity. The Steier Group has compiled Giving Tuesday Email Templates for you to use while implementing your communication plan for the big day. Save the Date for Giving Tuesday Email Template Subject line: Save the Date! Preview text: Join us on Dec. 1 for GivingTuesday, a worldwide day of giving and unity. Purpose: Announce your Giving Tuesday campaign to your donor base. Let them know why the day is important and share…

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Apr 22 2020

Live forum: Digital Do’s and Don’ts

By Steier Tips

The Steier Group’s latest live forum covered the Digital Do’s and Don’ts of what your organization should be doing online to counter the crisis and keep everyone engaged and giving. “People who want to be engaged are engaged,” said Fr. Tom Holder of Our Lady of the Presentation Catholic Church in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. The key is to make it easy for parishioners and donors to stay involved, he said. Fr. Tom talked about how his goal was to make the parish’s website user-friendly so parishioners can easily gain access to all online activities, including weekend Mass and daily reflection….

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Apr 20 2020

Giving Tuesday FAQ

By Steier Tips

The concept of GivingTuesday may be new to you and your constituents. Please use this GivingTuesday FAQ to answer any questions your supporters might have. What is GivingTuesday? GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement and day of giving on Dec. 1, 2020. The day is designed to drive support for communities and nonprofits around the world. What does it cost to participate in GivingTuesday? There are no costs to participate in GivingTuesday. This is a free and open movement to unleash generosity across the world. If you are currently using a digital fundraising platform, there may be costs associated with…

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Apr 19 2020

Giving Tuesday Communication Plan

By Steier Tips

Prepare your Giving Tuesday communication plan in advance to allow for easier implementation. The Steier Group has composed a suggested GivingTuesday communication plan to use in the run up to the day of giving on Dec. 1, 2020. Make sure to use the free graphics created by GivingTuesday to inform your supporters. Although it may seem tricky to ask for help during a pandemic year, the Steier Group has found that donors are willing to help as they can. Remember, you are inviting them to support an organization they care about. If they are willing and able to support, they…

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Apr 15 2020

Live forum: Asking in April

By Steier Tips

We’ve heard from so many nonprofit leaders that are struggling financially but are unsure if they can ask for support during such a challenging time. With that in mind, our next live forum will be addressing this important question: Asking in April – Can you fundraise during the COVID crisis? Perhaps Francis Doyle said it best: “All we can do is invite people” to give. Only prospective donors can decide whether now is a good time to be asked – and to give, suggested Doyle, who is director of development for the Diocese of Hamilton. “Generosity keeps happening.” During the…

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Apr 15 2020

Can you fundraise during the COVID-19 crisis?

By Steier Tips

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself” President Franklin Roosevelt’s 1933 inaugural address Nearly 90 years later, these words should again serve to comfort and inspire Americans. Just as the Great Depression caused distress for our nation, so too has the deadly COVID-19 virus. The economic effects of the pandemic have some nonprofits questioning their fundraising efforts, including capital campaigns. How should we proceed? Is this the right time to ask for support? Should we wait for a return to normalcy? As nonprofit leaders wrestle with those questions, they may draw inspiration from a pair of Steier Group…

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Mar 31 2020

How to celebrate Holy Week from Home

By Steier Tips

How can churches celebrate Holy Week while being physically distant? That was the main topic of the Steier Group’s Stewardship, Development and Fundraising Live Forum on March 31. During the current COVID-19 crisis, the Steier Group will be hosting these live forums to discuss issues pertinent to our partners during this critical time. We’ve also created a Holy Week from Home Resource Guide that can be shared with parishioners to enrich their celebration at home. If you have topics or questions you would like to see discussed during a live forum, please contact Sean McMahon at [email protected]. View the Holy…

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Mar 30 2020

CARES Act: How it will impact nonprofits and charitable giving

By Steier Tips

On Friday, the U.S. government passed the The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), which will provide much needed assistance to families and businesses across America. Below is a summary of items in the CARES Act that could provide value for your nonprofit: Charitable Giving Incentive The CARES Act establishes a new, above-the-line deduction (universal or non-itemized deduction that applies to all taxpayers) for total charitable contributions of up to $300. The incentive applies to contributions made in 2020 and would be claimed on tax forms next year. Section 2204. The bill also lifts the existing cap on…

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Mar 27 2020

Stewardship, development and fundraising live forum

By Steier Tips

During the current COVID-19 crisis, the Steier Group will be hosting live forums to discuss issues pertinent to our partners during this critical time. Join us on Tuesday, March 31 at 1:30 p.m. for our next live forum. We will be discussing how best to engage parishioners remotely during Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter. If you have topics or questions you would like to see discussed during a live forum, please contact Sean McMahon at [email protected]. Below is a recap of our first live forum. Staying connected takes creativity. This message served as the foundation for discussion during a…

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