Fundraising is generally viewed as ‘asking for money’. This is essentially true. Whether you have been asked to support the local Little League baseball team or received a printed mailer that asked for your support to build a homeless shelter, you have likely been the recipient of a fundraising activity.

Marketing is deeply intertwined with our worldview because it shapes and reflects how we perceive ourselves, others, and the world around us.

Development should entail ‘buy-in’ from the organization’s leadership, whose vision helps to paint the proverbial picture the fundraising and development professional is ‘selling’ to donors and philanthropists.

Strategic fundraising begins with research—understanding donors’ interests, capacity, and connections to craft tailored approaches that turn insight into impact.

Effective fundraising and development must include careful consideration of the laws and regulations that govern such activities, which include interactions with donors, staff, and volunteers