I'm sharing the most-read posts of the Let's Talk Nonprofit blog from the last decade. I re-read them all, and they're just as relevant today as when they were originally published. My goal was always to provide information that would help nonprofits grow and thrive. I'm grateful for all of the readers who made these posts so popular. Here's your top 10! (read more)

Make no mistake. Fundraising will look different this year. For the first time since 2008, people are beginning to talk about stopping their giving. Why? Because they feel financially insecure. Some will stop their giving - but they don't want to. Others will give to causes that they see as especially important or relevant now. Bottom line: there's a "new hierarchy" of giving. These are the four types of charities donors may support this year. (read more)

Make no mistake. Fundraising will look different this year. For the first time since 2008, people are beginning to talk about stopping their giving. Why? Because they feel financially insecure. Some will stop their giving - but they don't want to. Others will give to causes that they see as especially important or relevant now. Bottom line: there's a "new hierarchy" of giving. These are the four types of charities donors may support this year. (read more)

Charitable giving in the U.S. reached an all-time high in 2017, crossing the $400 billion mark. (Yes, billion with a "b.") This is one of the findings from the most recent Giving USA report, which tracks annual giving trends. Here are five highlights from the Giving USA 2018 report and why these takeaways matter to you. (read more)

Fundraising is both a science and an art. And each year, Giving USA and the Fundraising Effectiveness Project give us lots of data and insights to the sector. Once you unlock the data, you can use the science to practice the art of fundraising. Here are some top takeaways from the reports and how you can use that information to raise more money. (read more)

For more than 60 years, the Giving USA report has provided insights into the sector. This annual report tells us about U.S. giving trends from the last year. It gives us a benchmark for philanthropy and helps us understand who's giving - and to whom. This year's headline read "2015 Was America's Most-Generous Year Ever." And that's good news for the nonprofit sector. And that's not all the good news. Read on for 15 giving facts that you need to know. (read more)

This is the time of year that many nonprofits start the cycle again: new budget, new board members, new goals. It's also a time to look back and see what we can learn from the past. Why now, you ask? Each June, the annual Giving USA report is released, providing us with trends and insights from the previous year's giving trends. This information can help your nonprofit plan for the year ahead. Here are some of the report's findings from 2014 giving. (read more)

On July 1, 2014, the Internal Revenue Service released a three-page, online application (Form 1023-EZ - "Streamlined Application for Recognition of Exemption"). Previously, all organizations - regardless of size - had to file the 26-page Form 1023, and supporting documentation before receiving a 501(c)(3) determination letter. What will this new form mean for the nonprofit sector? (read more)

Nonprofit data nerds wait for this all year long: the Giving USA report. This annual report gives us a detailed overview of charitable giving in the U.S., by source and by sector. This is the most comprehensive charitable giving data available. And it's finally here. Here's what you need to know from this year's report. (read more)