Podcast appearances and mentions of claire axelrad

Advocating for a cultural shift within nonprofits, one that embraces investment in talent, technology, and development systems. To elevate the sector, nonprofits must adopt a mindset of abundance and growth rather than scarcity and restriction. This involves educating boards and stakeholders about the true value and impact of investing in their organization's capacity to fundraise and operate efficiently. Watch on video!Host Julia Patrick welcomes Claire Axelrad, a seasoned expert in the nonprofit sector with over 30 years of experience. Drawing from her extensive background as a director of development and now a consultant, Claire begins by reminding us that nonprofits often perceive themselves merely as cost centers rather than potential profit centers. This mindset, she argues, limits their growth and impact. She goes on to challenge this view by suggesting that fundraising should be seen as an investment with substantial returns, both socially and financially. She offers, “Fundraising has a remarkable return on investment (ROI). If you spend $0.10, you get $0.90 back. That's a 900% ROI. Businesses with such returns would be turning cartwheels.” The sparkling conversation looks into the prevalent issue of nonprofits undervaluing their work and underinvesting in their infrastructure. Claire points out that this is partly due to the sector's focus on minimizing overhead costs, which is often seen as a badge of honor but is counterproductive. She comments to Julia, “Inferior investments lead to inferior results. If you spend more on fundraising effectively, you enlarge the pie substantially, allowing you to achieve more with greater resources.” One of the big challenges discussed is changing the perception of donors and board members about overhead costs and investments in the organization's capacity. Claire suggests, “Stop touting our low cost of overhead because that just perpetuates the myth. Instead, bring in businesspeople to talk about how they invest in marketing, sales, and development.” Claire Axelrad's insights call for a rethinking of how nonprofits operate and present themselves. By viewing fundraising as a critical investment and fostering a culture of philanthropy, nonprofits can enhance their impact and sustainability. This shift requires ongoing education and communication within the sector and with donors, promoting a mindset that values and supports growth and effectiveness.Find us Live daily on YouTube!Find us Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits! 12:30pm ET 11:30am CT 10:30am MT 9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

Claire Axelrad, a leader in the nonprofit sector, discusses the role of a philanthropy facilitator and the importance of shifting the focus from fundraising to philanthropy. She explains that philanthropy, which means "love of humankind," involves leading donors on a transformative journey towards self-actualization. Claire emphasizes the need for engagement experts in the nonprofit sector who can guide donors and help them find meaning in their philanthropic endeavors.The conversation digs into the negative connotations associated with traditional fundraising and highlights the importance of building relationships with donors based on trust, dignity, and respect. Claire suggests that nonprofit organizations should adopt a gratitude mindset and focus on emotionally moving donors by acknowledging their impact and expressing genuine appreciation. She encourages organizations to develop formal gratitude programs and donor love and loyalty plans to foster long-term relationships with donors.The interview emphasizes the significance of listening to donors and understanding their individual journeys. Claire stresses the value of curiosity and asks generative questions to uncover donors' motivations and passions. By doing so, nonprofits can align their purpose with that of the donors, creating a symbiotic relationship where both parties feel fulfilled and empowered to make a difference.Claire also discusses the need for ease and convenience in the giving process, highlighting the importance of user-friendly websites and mobile-responsive platforms. She encourages nonprofits to put themselves in donors' shoes and ensure that the giving experience is seamless and accessible.The interview concludes with a reminder that philanthropy facilitation consists of two parts: embracing the love of humankind and making the process easy and accessible. By embodying these principles and prioritizing gratitude and engagement, nonprofits can create meaningful connections with donors and inspire them to continue supporting their causes.Quotes from the Show:    "I often call development people engagement sherpas... Sometimes you need a tour guide. Sometimes you need somebody who stands by your side, gently guides and supports you."    "The best fundraisers are these engagement experts... You imagine strategies that are going to influence donors to stick with you, to join that journey."    "If it's not good for them, the donors, it's not good for you. And conversely, if it means a lot to them, it will mean a lot to you."    "You have to understand that fundraising mostly is about the donors. It's not about the money."    "Asking somebody to invest in a cause that they really believe in, that is going to really help them feel good about themselves, is the biggest gift that you can give someone."    "Effective donor acknowledgement and philanthropy facilitation emotionally move your donor, making them feel like they are more important to you than they even thought they were."    "You have to energetically do the woo... You gotta keep wooing the donors."Watch on video: https://bit.ly/3NitN5UFollow us on the Twitter: @Nonprofit_ShowSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

Love them or hate them, fundraising events are here to stay. But in the age of COVID, your events may look a bit different. Virtual, in-person, hybrid - how will your nonprofit know which one to choose? And how to balance health and safety considerations with our very human longing to get back together in person?In the latest episode of Nonprofit Nation, I ask fundraising visionary Claire Axelrad, J.D., CFRE, how to manage a fundraising program through times of uncertainty, how to use digital fundraising, and how to change the minds of a board that REALLY wants to continue with an in-person 400 guest gala.  Claire has one of the top-rated fundraising blogs on the planet, and 30 years of frontline development work helping organizations raise millions in support. Her award-winning blog showcases her practical approach, which earned her the AFP “Outstanding Fundraising Professional of the Year” award. After leaving the nonprofit trenches, Claire began her coaching practice and founded the online “Clairification School” – often referred to as the best bargain in fundraising.Here are some of the topics we discussed:The pros and the cons of nonprofit fundraising eventsHow to make the shift to hybrid and/or virtual fundraising eventsHow to help reluctant staff and board members embrace new ideas for eventsTrends in the fundraising event space and pitfalls to avoidConnect with Claire: https://clairification.com/https://twitter.com/charityclairityhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/claireaxelrad/Do me a favor? Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts (or your podcast player of choice) - it helps this podcast get seen by more people that would enjoy it!About Julia Campbell, the host of the Nonprofit Nation podcast:Named as a top thought leader by Forbes and BizTech Magazine, Julia Campbell (she/hers) is an author, coach, and speaker on a mission to make the digital world a better place.She wrote her book, Storytelling in the Digital Age: A Guide for Nonprofits, as a roadmap for social change agents who want to build movements using engaging digital storytelling techniques. Her second book, How to Build and Mobilize a Social Media Community for Your Nonprofit, was published in 2020 as a call-to-arms for mission-driven organizations to use the power of social media to build movements.Julia's online courses, webinars, and talks have helped hundreds of nonprofits make the shift to digital thinking and raise more money online. Julia's happy clients include Mastercard, GoFundMe, Facebook, Meals on Wheels America, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. 

Is the donor pyramid a dusty model that needs to be swept into the dustbins of history? In this episode, we spoke with fundraising consultant Claire Axelrad to discuss her recent revision of her popular article, RIP Donor Pyramid, in which she proposes a dynamic and exciting way nonprofits can align fundraising, marketing, and technology to create a vibrant culture of philanthropy. Read the full article, "RIP Donor Pyramid?": https://clairification.com/2021/08/23/r-p-donor-pyramid/ Connect with Claire: https://clairification.com/contact/ It's not too late to prepare for GivingTuesday or to fine-tune your strategy for digital fundraising. Get our Year-End Playbook here: https://www.givingdna.com/resources/2021-pursuant-giving-outlook-0-0 Looking for a full-service fundraising partner? Learn the secrets of creating an RFP that will help you find the right fit: https://resources.pursuant.com/rfp/resource Follow Pursuant on Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/pursuant https://www.linkedin.com/company/440882 https://twitter.com/Pursuant https://www.instagram.com/pursuantfundraising/ Go Beyond Fundraising, a podcast brought to you by the Pursuant Group, seeks to find the sharpest minds in fundraising, nonprofit marketing, and organizational leadership and create conversations that spark positive change. We exist to help determined nonprofits make an even bigger impact in the world through smart strategy, cutting-edge technology, and actionable data. Learn more at pursuant.com

One of the biggest challenges in growing a nonprofit is donor acquisition and donor retention. Acquiring new donors  is hard work. And it can be expensive in the short term, especially if you consider that the first-time gift most donors make won't cover the cost of acquisition. What that means for your fundraising is that you have to have a donor retention strategy in place—because donors grow more valuable every year they're with you.Today on the podcast, Claire Axelrad is going to walk us through seven action tips you can easily implement to improve your donor retention. Most of these tactics are evergreen, and you'll find that most of them are really simple. It's just that not many nonprofits are using them. Some take more of a commitment, but the return on investment makes it well worth the effort and the initiative.Claire has over three decades of frontline fundraising experience, helping organizations raise millions in support. She writes an award-winning blog called Clairification, and she also runs the Clairification School online. Today we'll cover:[3:14] - Action Tip #1: Including a handwritten note with your direct mail appeal.    [9:23] - Action Tip #2: Add a handwritten signature to your thank you cards    [13:06] - Action Tip #3: Add a Handwritten note to your Thank You letter    [17:36] - Action Tip #4: Enclose tribute giving envelopes in your newsletters    [24:33] - Action Tip #5: Include tribute gift envelope in Thank You letters  [29:17] - Action Tip #6: Include an invitation to a free event in the Thank You letter    [34:34] - What nonprofits can do if they don't have facilities they can invite donors to    [36:34] - Action Tip #7: Send at least one dedicated monthly giving appeal    {39:07] - Your best prospects to become monthly donors    [43:58] - Claire's encouragement for nonprofit leaders    Get connected:Claire would love to connect with you. You can find her at clairification.com or on twitter @charityclarityPlease consider subscribing to, rating, or sharing The Build Good Podcast on your preferred platform. You can do that by clicking here. To take advantage of our free resources and get your 5-minute fundraising fix, visit: fiveminutefundraisingfix.com

Today I’d like to take my 14 years experience managing a nonprofits and offer help for leaders in this area. Download the guide at kayhelm.com/npguide.1) A Spirituality of Fundraising, by Henri J.M. NouwenYou can read this through in one sitting. It’s only 50-60 pages. And it deals with the most important part of your fundraising–your mind. So many people start because of passion, but then run into a wall because fundraising feels like begging. So we’ve got to change our mindset. This is a book that invites us to examine our hearts, motives, and methods and align these with God’s word. If you come to me for fundraising coaching, Session One homework is to read this book. 2) FREEDOM Fundraising Framework: 7 Steps to Build and Sustain Your Next Campaign, by Mary ValloniThis book outlines Mary’s FREEDOM Fundraising Framework. Raising funds successfully and consistently requires strategy! The Freedom framework gives you that strategy, from clarifying your mission and message to building and deploying your teams and making your difference! I interviewed Mary in episode 42, and Mary has a podcast called Fundraising Freedom.3) Fully Funded AcademyThis resource is specifically for missionaries raising support. Fully Funded Academy is a monthly membership training program that gives you the clarity and confidence to launch, grow, and scale your financial support base. If you need more 1:1 support, I'm a Fully Funded Certified Coach.4) Cairification, from Claire AxelradThere are really only two blogs you need to follow. The first one is “Clairification” from Claire Axelrad. This blog is a tremendous source of knowledge on all things fundraising and philanthropy. 5) The Storytelling NonprofitThe next blog is the Storytelling Nonprofit, from Vanessa Chase Lockshin. I interviewed Vanessa in episode 27. As the Storytelling Nonprofit, Vanessa’s focus is on recognizing, collecting and telling stories that help donors connect with our cause. 6) GuideStar (now part of Candid)You need to be sure your organization is listed on GuideStar, and that you keep your listing updated each year. This is the place where foundations and funders will look to verify your information, got make sure you are a legit 501c3. So when you apply for a grant, and when you apply to get listed on other nonprofit sites like TechSoup, they need to find you here. 7) TechSoupThis next one will save you TONS of money on software and tech. Do NOT go to sketchy discount software stores where you could end up with pirated software, or malware. Get the real deal. 8) ECFAFor Christian nonprofit organizations, I want to mention ECFA. Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. They produce some of the best resources (books, guides, webinars, and more) to guide your organization in areas of good governance and financial accountability. If you are just beginning the process of starting a nonprofit, start here! Use their resources for building a strong board and organizational structure that will serve you well for many years. Get the nonprofit fundraising guide, at kayhelm.com/npguideSupport the show (https://www.paypal.me/kayhelm)

What is different about fundraising during a crisis from fundraising during any other time? I sat down with Claire Axelrad, who has worked in the nonprofit space for 4 decades. Claire is a pro at this and launched her own education and coaching services about 10 years ago. Her blog, Clairification.com is a very valuable resource I look to frequently. In this episode, Claire shares her notes on both the good and bad and she has seen during this particular time of crisis. They may surprise you. Learn what can you start doing today to help improve your organization's bottom line! PS: Here's the link to the waiting list for the course on Winning Major Gifts that is mentioned in the interview! **Want to learn more from Claire? She is one of 20 nonprofit experts who will be live and online in TopNonprofits' Virtual Summit for Nonprofit Changemakers coming in September. You can get more information or register now HERE  

Claire Axelrad, principal at Clairification, comes from a background of almost 30 years in the nonprofit fundraising world before starting up her business in 2009. You may know her by the name of Clairification Claire. Topics discussed include her focus in education, how her business has changed over the years, where the name Clairification came from, and much more. Learn more about Clairification at www.clairification.com. Learn more about MarketSmart at www.imarketsmart.com.

Neuroscientists confirm that when somebody gives a donation, it lights up the same part of the brain as having sex or eating chocolate. So why does fundraising give so many adults the creeps? And how to you build a culture of philanthropy where everyone understands how they can effectively contribute?

Neuroscientists confirm that when somebody gives a donation, it lights up the same part of the brain as having sex or eating chocolate. So why does fundraising give so many adults the creeps? And how to you build a culture of philanthropy where everyone understands how they can effectively contribute? The post Ep 53: Asking for Money Isn’t Sexy… But Philanthropy Is (with Claire Axelrad) appeared first on Joan Garry Nonprofit Leadership.

Claire Axelrad takes time out of her busy schedule to talk about nonprofits getting their board members to engage in fundraising. She also touches on hot topics like millennials and nonprofit culture. Check out clairification.com for more. Our Hear Nebraska featured artist this week is AZP. You can find more at goazp.band. And check out hearnebraska.org for more artists and information.

Content marketing is a powerful way to spread your organization's message. By taking on a strategic approach to creating and distributing content, you can attract, educate and inspire your participants, all while increasing fundraising. This week, Claire Axelrad, of Clairfication joined the Driving Participation podcast to unveil how to utilize content marketing to master online social fundraising.

In this episode of The Fundraising Authority Podcast, we talk to Claire Axelrad from Clairification.  Claire is the expert on how to build better relationships and raise more money through better thanking. That’s right… you can actually raise more money for your organization if you develop a better strategy for thanking your donors.  In this […]

In this episode of The Fundraising Authority Podcast, we talk to Claire Axelrad from Clairification.  Claire is the expert on how to build better relationships and raise more money through better thanking. That’s right… you can actually raise more money for your organization if you develop a better strategy for thanking your donors.  In this […] The post Fundraising Authority Podcast #12: How to Thank Your Donors the Right Way first appeared on The Fundraising Authority.

In this episode of The Fundraising Authority Podcast, we talk to Claire Axelrad from Clairification.  Claire is the expert on how to build better relationships and raise more money through … The post Fundraising Authority Podcast #12: How to Thank Your Donors the Right Way first appeared on The Fundraising Authority.