Mitzie Schafer Mitzie Schafer

5 Ideas to Boost Your Annual Fund by the End of the Year

Want a stronger finish to your annual fund this year? This quick, actionable video is packed with practical ideas you can implement immediately. GSB Managing Partner Mike Ward shares the top five strategies organizations are using right now to close the year with confidence and momentum.

With nearly a third of all charitable giving occurring in December, this is your opportunity to ensure your church or nonprofit is positioned for a successful year-end.

Real-world tactics—not theory—that will help you boost results in the final stretch, don’t miss this resource. Hit play and get inspired to finish strong.

Read More
Videos Pete Reuss Videos Pete Reuss

Donor Stewardship: Mid-Level Donors

In this video, Rev. Pete Reuss, CFRE, will lead conversations on how to steward your MID-LEVEL donors based on where they fall on your giving chart. Treat everyone well, but don’t treat everyone exactly the same.

Read More
Videos Pete Reuss Videos Pete Reuss

Donor Stewardship: Major Donors

Donor Stewardship is how you tend to relationships with donors after they give. Their gift is just the beginning of a longer process. You thank them. You tell stories of the impact of their giving. You engage them in your mission. You hear their passions and interests. 

Read More
Videos Mitzie Schafer Videos Mitzie Schafer

Engaging Your Board in Fundraising

We are often asked, “How do I get my board to help with fundraising?” Board members are donors and volunteers, and they need to be cultivated, trained, and encouraged. Learn how to do just that and get the best from your board members, specifically when it comes to supporting our annual fundraising plan.

Read More
Videos Paul Walters Videos Paul Walters

Self-Differentiation: Knowing who you are as an individual and as an organization

What should you do next? How do you respond to an invitation or opportunity? How do you respond in a crisis? Knowing who you are and having a clear sense of identity and purpose makes responding far easier.

In system thinking, this is called self-differentiation. People who are not well self-differentiated tend to simply agree with the person in front of them. Trying to keep everyone happy all the time is a recipe for disaster.

Read More
Videos Paul Walters Videos Paul Walters

Resiliency and Flexibility

It is easy to see the glass as half empty. These are challenging times. There is a path forward. Every organization has strengths and weaknesses. Too often, leadership focuses on what cannot happen, longing for the glory days of the past. Strong organizations cast a vision for the future, focusing on strengths and mission.

Read More
Paul Walters Paul Walters

Responding to Anxiety

You cannot leave your worries at home, at work, or at church. Try as you might, anxiety is cumulative, and we bring it with us wherever we go. This means when interacting with people, they bring all that background with them. Responding, not reacting, is the key to healthy relationships.

Read More
Mitzie Schafer Mitzie Schafer

Leading Through Storms: Session 2: Leading in Conflict

When conflict enters our organization, we must address it with a goal of reconciliation, and prioritizing the preservation our mission integrity. Conflict at any level has the potential to disrupt an organization, so how do we confront conflict, at all levels? How can we move conflict into collaboration? How do we handle conflict when is seems inevitable or unfixable? This session will discuss how we can best address conflict in our organizations. 

Read More
Matthew Schultz Matthew Schultz

Leading Through Storms: Session 1-Leading in Crisis

When we experience unplanned crisis, stress and anxiety permeate the organization at all levels. Whatever causes the crisis (financial, disaster, failures, etc.), our response matters. How do we respond well, lead well, and recover well? This session will discuss some simple best practices to keep front of mind through any organizational crisis. 

Read More
Mitzie Schafer Mitzie Schafer

Resiliency & Flexibility

It is easy to see the glass as half empty. These are challenging times. There is a path forward. Every organization has strengths and weaknesses. Too often, leadership focuses on what cannot happen, longing for the glory days of the past. Strong organizations cast a vision for the future, focusing on strengths and mission.

Read More
Mitzie Schafer Mitzie Schafer

Responding to Anxiety

Anxiety is present in every system; the key is responding, not reacting. You cannot leave your worries at home, work, or church. Try as you might, anxiety is cumulative, and we bring it with us wherever we go. This means that when interacting with people, they bring all that background with them. Responding, not reacting, is the key to healthy relationships. 

Read More
Evan Moilan Evan Moilan

Giving in the USA Report 2024

Are you feeling the pinch? Feeling the boom? Not sure why? Giving in the United States continues to change, and recognizing those changes can inform your strategy. 

In this session, GSB Partner Evan Moilan, CFRE, shares the latest national data from GivingUSA, released at the end of June.

Read More
Videos Mitzie Schafer Videos Mitzie Schafer

Attributes of the Equipping Leader

GSB Partner, professional coach, and seasoned leader Nathan Swenson-Reinhold will discuss the attributes of an equipping leader who empowers organizations toward effectiveness, engagement, and joy. This is at the heart of a successful organization.

Read More
Videos Mitzie Schafer Videos Mitzie Schafer

Strategic Planning Series

Strategic Plans don’t always have the best “reputation” in nonprofits and churches. Organizations often spend a lot of money developing them to have them sit on a shelf doing nothing.

Within organizations, some people naturally think and work strategically. Others thrive on knocking things off their to-do list. To-do lists are not the same as making crucial decisions that help guide the work of the organization toward common goals and objectives.

Read More