BLOGS & GUIDES
Year-End Fundraising Checklist
The giving season can be a chaotic time of year for nonprofit leaders and teams as they try to gather as many donations as possible. Cogeo has put together this year-end fundraising checklist to help you can stay organized and take advantage of all possible donation and fundraising opportunities. View this checklist »
The Secret to Year-End Fundraising Success
As we quickly approach the giving season, it’s time to consider how you’ll connect with current donors and reach new donors. Learn what an Annual Appeal is, why it is such a successful tactic, and how to properly execute. Read this blog »
[Recording] What is a Capital Project?
Learn what steps to take before and during a capital project to ensure a smooth and successful campaign for your nonprofit organization. Watch this webinar »
Social Media Tips for Your Nonprofit
Social media -- the beast that is obnoxiously relevant in this decade. Many nonprofit organizations that we work with struggle with their online presence due to a the lack of strategy. Read this guide to get some tips to build a strong social media. Read this blog »
Launch a Fundraising Campaign: Step One
As the country continues to return to normalcy, many nonprofit organizations are launching (or re-launching) their fundraising campaigns. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help your organization successfully complete the first step in a strong campaign — creating the Case Statement. Download this guide »
Host a Safe In-Person Event
As the country reopens, many nonprofit organizations are considering when they should start hosting in-person events. The more important question is how to start hosting in-person events. Use this blog to get good ideas on how to host a safe (and fun) in-person event. Read this blog »
Spring Cleaning: Tips, Tricks, & Tools to Get Organized
Time for a little spring cleaning! While you really don’t need a specific time of year to do this, you should give your nonprofit a good internal and external scrubbing and organizing at least once a year. Check out these tips, tricks, and tools that will help your nonprofit get cleaned up and organized. Read this blog »
Diversity & Inclusion within Your Nonprofit
Creating a safe, inclusive, and diverse workplace is crucial. Period. Beyond the fact that it’s ethically right and required by law, there are real benefits to hiring, supporting, and empowering individuals from unique and diverse backgrounds. Learn how to begin this necessary work. Read this blog »
Year-End Reporting to Your Community & Board
As the year comes to a close, so do year-end fundraising campaigns. There are two groups that should be considered as you finalize your data collection and analysis — your community and Board of Directors. Learn which metrics are most important to share. Read this blog »
Identify, Approach, & Engage Major Gift Donors
New year, new fundraising goals! In order to successfully reach the new goals your nonprofit has set for 2021, you should be taking a close look at your overall fundraising strategy. One crucial fundraising tactic that should absolutely be a part of your strategy is major gifts. Learn how to establish a strong major gift presence in your strategy. Download this Guide »
Track, Retain, & Make the Most of New Donors
Tracking your donors allows you and your team to fundraise smarter, not harder. Cogeo has put together this simple guide to make sure your nonprofit is taking note of all the important aspects of your new donor and making the most of their donation. Download this Guide »
Welcome Weeks [New Donor Timeline]
The season of giving brings a wealth of new donors to many nonprofits. But how can you ensure that these new donors stick around? Cogeo has put together this new donor timeline for your organization to make sure that your year-end fundraising campaign is the gift that keeps on giving. Download this Timeline »
Successful Year-End Fundraising Campaign [Case Study]
An Annual Appeal is a strategic method for nonprofits to reach recurring and new donors. See how Saint John Bosco School launched a successful Annual Appeal campaign and raised over $30,000 in one month. Read this case study »
Raise More with Moves Management
Help your nonprofit fundraise smarter, not harder. By focusing on development and growing relationships with major gifts donors, rather than simplistic fundraising, you’ll have the opportunity to raise more and do more for your community. Read this blog »
Capital Campaign Checklist
Entering a capital campaign is a big commitment for any nonprofit organization. If a nonprofit is considering a capital project, its leadership should make sure to take the proper steps prior to launching a campaign. That’s why Cogeo has created this capital campaign checklist -- things to consider before launching your campaign. Download this checklist »
Stewardship Best Practices
Stewardship is the acts performed by an agency after a donor has contributed to an organization that aim to validate the purpose for the contribution, as well as promote future contributions. This is a truly critical aspect to any fundraising strategy. That’s why Cogeo has created a list of stewardship best-practices. Read this guide »
Fundraising During an Election Year
As we get closer to November, it becomes nearly impossible to avoid the fact that we’re in an election year. Many organizations are wondering how their fundraising will be impacted. See what Cogeo has to say about your donation potential during an election year — you might be pleasantly surprised! Read this blog »
Initiate Corporate Sponsorship in 5 Steps
Sponsorship opportunities are a highly strategic and effective way to bring corporate attention and dollars to your campaign. However, it takes careful consideration to get this right. That’s why Cogeo has put together a list of steps to help navigate your sponsorship journey. Download this guide »
Digital Appeal Template
A digital appeal is a strategic tool used to inform the members of your nonprofit about the goings-on at your organization and encourage them to donate. It’s important that the right information makes it into your outreach, which is why Cogeo has created a template and an example for you to use while building your appeal. Download this template »
Maintain a Hyper-Organized Database
An organized database with clean and accurate data is essential to a successful development department. That’s why Cogeo has created this guide to break down the basic elements of a Customer Relationship Manager (CRM) and provide best practice tactics. Read this case study »
Host a Successful Virtual Event [Case Study]
Many nonprofits have been forced to host their events virtually. This can be overwhelming, but Cogeo has proof that, if executed properly, these events can be highly effective for an organization. We have put together this case study to showcase that success. Read this case study »
The Framework for a Strategic Retreat
Strategic Retreats are an important and tactical step that create a concrete set of objectives for the next five years at an organization and ensure that leadership, including the Board of Directors, is aligned with the mission, values, and goals for the future. That’s why Cogeo has created an example framework of a strategic retreat. Download this guide »
Establish a Salesforce CRM Database in 3 Steps
The Customer Relationship Manager, or CRM, that Cogeo trusts and recommends is Salesforce.org Nonprofit. Learn what a CRM is, why Salesforce is a great choice for the future of your nonprofit, and how to establish a free Salesforce Nonprofit account. Download this guide »
Things to Consider when Hosting a Cultivation Event
One highly strategic move for a nonprofit organization to make during a fundraising campaign is to host an event. There is one type of event that proves to be successful for nonprofits of every sector and size — the cultivation event. Download this guide »
Navigating Fundraising During COVID-19 Webinar
Cogeo understands that nonprofits have been hit particularly hard during this crisis. That's why we have put together this webinar to support your fight through this challenging time. Learn fundraising tactics that will help you continue to deliver your mission and reach your goals. Watch this webinar »
COVID-19 Recovery Checklist
As the country slowly begins to reopen, it’s time to consider what moving forward looks like for your nonprofit organization. Cogeo has put together a list of things your team should consider as, or prior to reopening your doors. View this checklist »
Create a Strategic Infographic
Infographics are a wonderful and effective tool, especially in the nonprofit world. With so much data floating around and so many donors and prospects to educate, having a clear, creative infographic is a persuasive and efficient way to show your organization’s impact. Download this guide »
Questions to Ask Before & After Your Fundraising Event
No matter what type of fundraising event your organization plans to host, Cogeo is here to help you through the preparation phase and evaluation phase. We have put together a series of questions that should be asked to make sure your fundraising event is a success. Download this checklist »
Continue Major Gifts Work During Quarantine
While overall donations have fallen to an all-time low during the COVID-19 crisis, nonprofits that are turning their energy and attention to major gifts work are seeing success. Learn tips and tricks to make your major gifts meeting a success — even in quarantine. Read this article »
Foundation Outreach Checklist
The Cogeo team has created this thorough checklist to help your team be absolutely certain that your nonprofit has a fighting chance before entering into the exhausting process that is grant writing. Use this tool to have confidence in your foundation outreach. Download this checklist »
7 Types of Successful Philanthropists
A blog written for funders: Understanding the type of funder you are, and matching with similar-minded nonprofit leadership, is one of the most important fundamental building blocks to enabling mission success and satisfaction. Learn about the 7 types of philanthropists and uncover which type you are. Read this blog »
5 Questions to Ask Before Launching a Campaign
If your nonprofit is ready to evolve and increase the impact it has on the community it serves, a natural and efficient first step is launch a development campaign. But is your nonprofit and your team ready? Read this article »
House of Development: A Fundraising Webinar Series
This webinar will allow you to understand why professional development work is vital to the future of a nonprofit, introduce the concept of development, analyze each of the tactical areas of development, and serve as a constant resource to help your nonprofit evolve. View this webinar series »
How Development Can Help Your Nonprofit Evolve
Learn what the term development truly means and why your nonprofit should be focused on a long-term development strategy, rather than simplistic fundraising. Read this article »