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by Kyle Halmrast , Ceo + Co-Founder You have invested months building a thoughtful, focused strategic plan. The conversations were meaningful. The choices were clear. The board aligned around a shared direction. Now the real work begins. Your strategic plan gives your agency direction. A disciplined action plan turns that direction into measurable impact. Without it, even the strongest plan can drift into the background as daily demands reclaim attention. Too many nonprofits

by Mitra Karami , Senior Consultant Slow fundraising months are an ideal time to deepen donor understanding and strengthen your community’s connection to your mission. Donors give because they care, but they keep  giving when they understand the nuances, challenges, and long-term impact of your work. An education series provides value without asking for a gift, which is especially welcome after a heavy year-end season. Educational content helps donors shift from casual suppor

by Robert Yoo , Senior Consultant, Grants With the rapid adoption of AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot, many nonprofits are exploring how AI can strengthen their case for support. One particularly useful way to use AI is to refine your current impact metrics and/or buildout new benchmarks to better define your impact. While many of you have already found prompts that work really great for you, we wanted to provide some additional prompts you can try out.   Prompt 1:

by Kyle Halmrast , Founder + CEO Strategic planning fails when leaders focus only on the outcome… the document. Yes, a plan feels concrete, while a process feels slow. You want answers, direction, and momentum. You want the finished thing. This instinct is understandable. It can also be costly. The real value of strategic planning lives in the work you do before the plan exists . The conversations. The friction. The decisions you delay until the facts force your hand. The di

The meeting is your first step to building a strong, mutually beneficial relationship. There are certainly some do's and don't to think about as you prepare for the meeting. From finding organizational alignment to coming thoroughly prepared, here are my top tips for ensuring you continue to move your partnerships forward.

The quieter months of the year, often January, June, or late summer, offer a unique opportunity for nonprofits to introduce or elevate their planned giving programs. These periods naturally lend themselves to reflection: donors are reviewing finances, updating paperwork, or rethinking long-term priorities. When approached with care and clarity, planned giving becomes an invitation rather than an ask.

Before posting a job, take the time to define what you truly need. A clear job description and transparent pay range set the tone for an equitable search. When candidates understand the role, expectations, and compensation from the start, you attract people who are aligned with your mission and ready to contribute.

by Mitra Karami , Senior Consultant Every nonprofit leader knows the cycle: a whirlwind of Giving Tuesday and year-end campaigns, followed by the quiet, often sluggish stretch of early winter or mid-summer. January and June - often seen as “dead” months for fundraising - can feel like downtime. Donors are fatigued, budgets are in flux, and inboxes are quieter. But these slower months are prime opportunities  to strengthen donor relationships, build long-term sustainability, a

by Scott Sadler , Partner + Senior Strategist A successful capital campaign committee is not just a group of names on paper – it’s a working team of leaders, connectors, and advocates who combine their influence, passion, and skills to drive the campaign forward. The committee’s strength lies in its ability to bridge organizational vision with community support, ensuring both financial success and lasting relationships. A successful capital campaign committee is defined by s

By Scott Sadler, Partner and Senior Strategist Succession planning is essential to ensuring that your organization maintains stability and continuity through change. Leadership turnover is inevitable, and succession planning ensures you're ready, reducing stress and chaos when transitions occur. It's your job to have a clear plan, which signals stability to staff, donors, and partners. Strong Plans Include : Documentation:  Keep your policies, procedures, contacts, and calen

Supporter surveys are a powerful way to connect with donors and learn how you can be more effective in your fundraising approach. Whether done annually with an eye toward key measures to track over time, or as a one-off exercise to measure sentiment or test a campaign case for support, surveys and provide good, actionable data to your team.

At Ostara, we’ve found that the most successful fundraising efforts always start with a roadmap that ties big vision to practical steps.

by Mitra Karami In the rush of year-end fundraising, it’s easy to focus on appeals, metrics, and campaign goals, but one of the most powerful drivers of donor loyalty doesn’t cost a dime: authentic gratitude. At Ostara, we’ve seen time and again: thoughtful donor stewardship doesn’t just make people feel good. It directly impacts retention, revenue, and long-term mission sustainability. When donors feel genuinely appreciated, they stay connected, give more often, and increase

by Adam Runions As the calendar year winds down, nonprofit fundraising teams face a critical window to maximize donor engagement and revenue. With holidays, PTO, and year-end generosity converging, thoughtful planning is essential. Here’s how your team can prepare for a successful year-end campaign that’s both strategic and seamless. Map the Season: Calendar with Intention Start by gathering your fundraising, communications, and finance teams to map out key projects and deadl

As we approach year-end giving—the busiest and most critical fundraising season—your CRM system can either be your greatest asset or your biggest headache. The difference comes down to the quality of your data. When your CRM is clean, complete, and accurate, it becomes a powerful tool to deepen donor relationships, personalize communications, and maximize giving opportunities. When it’s not, you risk missed connections, wasted mailings, and leaving money on the table.

As we head into the final months of the year, nonprofits across the sector are preparing for one of the busiest and most important fundraising seasons. Year-end giving campaigns are often the single largest opportunity to connect with donors, share your mission, and inspire generosity. At the heart of successful campaigns is one powerful tool: storytelling.

It's time to get out of the kiddie pool of fundraising and attract gifts of real estate and business interests. Per the Giving USA 2024...

A seasoned, professional Interim Development Director from the Ostara Group, equipped with strategic insight, hands-on experience, and a nonprofit-first perspective, can keep your mission, and your fundraising, moving forward.

You should be actively seeking out corporate partners to enhance your fundraising strategy.

by Mitra Karami, Senior Consultant For most nonprofits, year-end giving is the most important fundraising season of the year. Nearly...