September 2026

Message to donors: Go big—and don't go home!

Even if you're quite certain your donors enjoy giving to your organization, you'll still likely be hit with waves of uncertainty from time to time. For instance, a capital campaign, milestone anniversary, major facility project, or other special initiative can create an exciting opportunity to invite your most committed donors to make unusually significant gifts. But it can also create an uncomfortable question for fundraising teams: If we ask a donor to give big now, are we jeopardizing the annual—and perhaps even planned—gifts we hope they'll make later?

The answer isn't to shy away from transformational asks. Instead, think of a major gift as one part of a donor's long-term relationship with your organization—not the finish line.

Setting the record straight: What people get wrong about fiscal sponsorships

For more than 50 years, mission-driven leaders have turned to fiscal sponsorship to help them start up, operate, and scale charitable initiatives. According to the latest data from the Fiscal Sponsor Directory, 415 sponsors oversee more than 20,000 projects across the United States and Canada. Collectively, these fiscal sponsors and initiatives represent billions of dollars being invested back into communities and advancing causes for the public good. Despite its longstanding history and ongoing impact, the fiscal sponsorship model is not well understood, and myths—ranging from misperceptions to dangerously false claims—persist. 

Anatomy of an effective board meeting

Shadow AI: innovation or cybersecurity blindspot?

AI has rapidly transitioned from a niche capability to an everyday workplace tool. Enterprises today are witnessing one of the fastest technology adoption cycles in history, with generative AI becoming deeply embedded in daily workflows. This phenomenon, widely referred to as Shadow AI, represents the unsanctioned use of AI tools within organizations, echoing the earlier rise of Shadow IT but with significantly higher stakes. Unlike traditional unauthorized applications, Shadow AI directly interacts with sensitive enterprise data, intellectual property, and regulated information. As a result, organizations are no longer just losing visibility over tools—they are losing control over how their data is interpreted, transformed, and potentially exposed. This shift marks a critical inflection point in enterprise cybersecurity and governance.

Free nonprofit training webinars available for fundraising, marketing, IT, and more

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