Mission Advancement

COMING SOON: The Truth About Campaign Prospects MYTH: “If we just get our campaign in front of enough people, we’ll hit our fundraising goal.” Is this true? Or is there a smarter way to approach donor outreach? In fundraising, not all prospects are created equal. A successful campaign isn’t about reaching more people—it’s about reaching the right people. In our next Mission Forward article (dropping Tuesday!), we’ll break down why prospect identification is one of the 4 critical elements of a successful campaign—and how a Planning Study tests donor readiness before you launch. Want to make sure your campaign is built on a strong foundation? Subscribe now so you don’t miss it ??https://hubs.ly/Q03cw_d20

COMING SOON: The Truth About Campaign Prospects MYTH: “If we just get our campaign in front of enough people, we’ll hit our fundraising goal.” Is this true? Or is there a smarter way to approach donor outreach? In fundraising, not all prospects are created equal. A successful campaign isn’t about reaching more people—it’s about reaching the right people. In our next Mission Forward article (dropping Tuesday!), we’ll break down why prospect identification is one of the 4 critical elements of a successful campaign—and how a Planning Study tests donor readiness before you launch. Want to make sure your campaign is built on a strong foundation? Subscribe now so you don’t miss it ??https://hubs.ly/Q03cw_d20

Fundraising Top Tip: Stewardship is More Than a Thank-You A donor’s first gift is like planting a seed—full of potential. But to see real impact, that connection must be nurtured over time. Most nonprofits focus on getting the gift—but the real work starts after that gift... Effective stewardship means: ??Personalized gratitude – Swap generic emails for handwritten notes, phone calls, or even a quick video message. ??Ongoing engagement – Invite donors to exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes content, or impact events. ?? Impact storytelling – Show donors exactly how their gift made a difference with real stories and tangible results. ??Consistent, not occasional – Donors should hear from you more often than just when you’re asking for another gift. When donors feel valued, they stay involved. Stewardship isn’t a one-time act—it’s an ongoing relationship. What’s your favorite way to steward donors? Drop your ideas below! ??

Event season is in full swing! Mission Advancement Consultant's - Erin Samson, CFRE and Lacey Young - had a great time celebrating with Denton Freedom House and Maria Jones, Strategic Development Manager, at I’ve Been Set Free, the organization’s annual gala. Events done right are about more than just a great night—they’re an opportunity to deepen relationships and inspire generosity that lasts well beyond the evening. Wishing all our nonprofit partners a successful season of meaningful, mission-driven events! Want to ensure your event creates lasting impact? Check out this Mission Forward article on maximizing fundraising events: https://hubs.ly/Q03bCLDn0

A strong case for support isn’t enough—your capital campaign will only go as far as your leadership takes it. The right people build trust, inspire action, and drive momentum. The wrong ones? They slow everything down. How do you identify the right leadership before you launch? A Planning Study helps you find the champions who will make your campaign a success. Discover how to identify, engage, and secure the right leaders in our latest article —Part 2 of our 4-part series—exploring how a Planning Study lays the groundwork for a successful campaign. Article linked here. https://hubs.ly/Q03bjg760

?? Christian school leaders, are you ready to transform your fundraising? Join Schuyler Lehman, founder of Mission Advancement, at ACSI’s Flourish Deeper Conference this Thursday, March 6, in Pittsburgh, PA! He’ll be leading back-to-back sessions on “The Art and Science of Donor Engagement”—packed with practical strategies to help your school build lasting donor relationships and secure sustainable funding. ? Inspire generosity with authenticity ? Align donor passion with your school’s mission ? Create a funding model that fuels long-term impact Join us for an insightful discussion on how to cultivate donor relationships with both strategy and heart. Let us know if you’ll be there—we’d love to connect.

The First Step to a Successful Campaign: A Strong Case for Support A compelling Case for Support is more than a fundraising tool—it’s the foundation that unites leadership, inspires donors, and drives action. Without a clear, well-tested case, even the best campaigns can stall. This is the first in our 4-part Mission Forward series exploring the essential elements of a successful campaign: Case, Leadership, Prospects, and Plan—each tested and refined through a Planning Study before a campaign begins. So, how do you ensure your case is clear, compelling, and campaign-ready? ?? Define urgency – Why is this need critical now? ?? Build consensus – Align leadership, staff, and donors. ?? Inspire action – Move donors from interest to investment. Read the first article in the series to learn how a strong case sets the foundation for success: https://hubs.ly/Q038fD1w0

Exciting news! ?? We are thrilled to be a part of DonorSearch's Philanthropy Masterminds Series this week. Jennifer Lehman joins Jay Frost on Thursday, 2/27, for an insightful discussion on "How to Raise" with a focus on engaging Millennial Donors. This is a conversation you won’t want to miss – mark your calendars! ?? Thursday, Feb 27 | ?? 1 PM ET / 12 PM CT Register now: https://lnkd.in/eAE7Wukc

This Texas cold front has us even more excited to be heading to sunny Orlando for #Converge2025 next week! We’re excited to connect and collaborate with Christian education leaders at this global gathering. Let us know if you’ll be attending! Association of Christian Schools International Schuyler Lehman Tim Connor, M.Ed, CFRE Angel De Leon Erin Samson, CFRE

What separates good fundraising from great fundraising? In our final Masterclass, we’re bringing the insights from Raising to the Challenge to life with Steve Bult, Head of Wheaton Academy—who shares how his organization reshaped its approach to fundraising. ?? Key takeaways include: - How connecting donors with the right people builds trust and deeper commitment - Why leadership’s role in fundraising is more critical than you think - How intentional stewardship leads to increased giving - The campaign lessons that transformed an entire development strategy If you're a nonprofit leader, fundraiser, or board member—this is a must-watch! Linked here: https://hubs.ly/Q036czQy0