_CRI Blog Post Archives

Alexa – A Little Known Tool for Advancement

By Larry Raff In _CRI Blog Post, Core Service, Insights Posted August 29, 2018 0 Comments

I want to share a tool with you that very few people I speak with have heard of. Alexa.com is owned by Amazon and ranks website traffic domestically and internationally.

These Days Everyone Needs a “Puppy”, Especially Your Donors

By Larry Raff In _CRI Blog Post, Insights, Leadership & Management Posted August 4, 2018 2 Comments

It has been 18 years since my wife Deborah and I last had a puppy. But we recently decided we wanted another dog… and we needed it as well. I am sure I am not alone having visceral reactions to the headlines of the day. The words “unprecedented”, “unbelievable” and “are you kidding”, just don’t have the same force and significance as they once had not that long ago. It is taking its toll.

Potential Effects of Trump Policies on Fundraising and Nonprofits

By Larry Raff In _CRI Blog Post, Leadership & Management, Planning & Strategy Posted June 29, 2018 0 Comments

In addition to my post addressing how the new tax law is likely to affect fundraising, in this article I take a high level look at potential effects of some Trump administration policies on fundraising and stakeholder nonprofit organizations. The playing field has changed significantly with the new administration and Republican controlled Congress. This post is rated “M” for mature audiences.

Less is MORE in Building Relationships

By Larry Raff In _CRI Blog Post, Insights, Major Gifts Posted June 9, 2018 0 Comments

Who among us, whether we work in a large shop or small, email coworkers to address a work issue when you could have just walked down the hall to speak with the person? Or how about when you have a chance to work with a board member or volunteer - do you opt for a phone call instead of a face-to-face meeting? While the conveniences of modern life are easy to default to because it is presumed to be more time effective for both parties, I want to raise the question if that is indeed true?

What Fundraisers Need to Know About the New Tax Law…All in One Place

By Larry Raff In _CRI Blog Post, Insights, Planning & Strategy Posted May 17, 2018 2 Comments

Allow me to take a run at providing, what I think are the most relevant aspects of the new tax law for advancement officers, that you may find useful for strategy and to help donors understand the implications for their philanthropy planning.

Disagreements Strengthen Friendships – If We Get Out of Our Bubble

By Larry Raff In _CRI Blog Post, Insights, Major Gifts Posted April 30, 2018 0 Comments

I have had a 15-year friendship with a fellow board member of a biomedical research nonprofit we support. Ben was a very successful business man, now retired, and is politically conservative. My political leanings are decidedly progressive. Over the years, Ben and I have had fun sparing over the political issues of the day, spanning […]

Are Social Media Numbers Adding Up?

By Larry Raff In _CRI Blog Post, Emerging Ideas, Insights Posted April 9, 2018 0 Comments

With the recent revelation about the Facebook data breach of at least 87 million user profiles, I felt compelled to look into the basis of available statistics about U.S. adult usage of leading social media platforms. Many nonprofit stakeholder organizations use various platforms to communicate with stakeholders, announce milestones and appeal to donors, so it is important that we can trust the statistics and the user security being provided.

What Makes People Give in the Face of Disasters?

By Larry Raff In _CRI Blog Post, Insights Posted March 13, 2018 0 Comments

There have been a number of major disasters in the US during the past six years. Some have garnered immediate appeals for funds and others have not. The following is an attempt to gain insights from an examination of twelve mass-shooting & human-made incidents and five natural disasters since 2012 to determine what might influence fundraising to help victims.

Are Nonprofits Getting a Bum Rap?

By Larry Raff In _CRI Blog Post, Insights Posted February 4, 2018 1 Comment

It happened again. An article in the Sunday Boston Globe, January 30, 2018, “Employee theft ‘shockingly common’ at nonprofits” tries to make the case and give the impression that employee theft is a scourge effecting nonprofit stakeholder organizations more than private sector shareholder businesses. The argument is that nonprofits are under staffed with people who […]

Are You Giving In to #GivingTuesday?

By Larry Raff In _CRI Blog Post, Insights, Planning & Strategy Posted January 13, 2018 0 Comments

#GivingTuesday now has six years under its belt. It seems prudent to review its growth and significance, and to see whether it elevates overall giving or just redistributes anticipated giving. #GivingTuesday is a novel campaign founded by the 92nd Street Y and the United Nations Foundation to remind the nation that the holiday season is about […]

Things Fundraisers Can Count on in 2018

By Larry Raff In _CRI Blog Post, Emerging Ideas, Insights Posted December 27, 2017 3 Comments

Reading the tea leaves is a fun exercise and important to prepare for 2018. Many norms and laws changed in 2017 that will surely affect how advancement officers do business in the coming year. Here are a few things I think we can count on for 2018.