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By Kyle Halmrast , Founder & CEO The answer is absolutely. Capital campaigns are among the most ambitious and transformative efforts a nonprofit can undertake. They can ensure your organization’s future. Done well, they raise significant funds for major projects like building renovations, expansions, or launching new programs. But before diving in, it’s crucial to ask: Are we ready?    That’s where a feasibility/planning study comes in.   What Is a Feasibility Study?   A feasibility study is a structured assessment conducted before launching a capital campaign. It gauges the operational and cultural readiness of your organization for the work ahead and can identify the likelihood of campaign success by gathering honest feedback and potential philanthropic support from key stakeholders — board members, major donors, community leaders, and other influencers. It tests the case for support and identifies areas of weakness that need shoring up before investing the considerable time and resources necessary to take the leap.   How Does a Feasibility Study Differ from a Planning Study?   Feasibility studies are designed to provide organizational leadership with the data they need to make an informed decision as to whether to conduct a campaign or not…a “go/no-go decision” so to speak. The activities of a planning study are nearly identical to those of a feasibility study, however, if a decision has already been made to move forward with a capital project (due to a lease ending, for example) then the study isn’t really determining if the organization should move forward (or if it’s feasible to conduct a campaign), instead it’s more a matter of community engagement, education, and building the plan.   Why a Feasibility/Planning Study Is Essential   Here are a few reasons why conducting a feasibility study isn’t just helpful—it’s essential:   Uncovers Donor Sentiment: A feasibility/planning study helps you understand how potential major donors perceive your organization and proposed campaign. Do they see your vision as urgent and compelling? Are they willing to support it financially, and at what level?  Tests the Campaign Goal: You may have a fundraising goal in mind, but is it realistic? Feasibility studies help test your target amount against donor capacity and interest, reducing the risk of overpromising and underdelivering. Identifies Organizational Gaps: Readiness isn’t just about fundraising. It’s about leadership, staffing, communication, and infrastructure. A feasibility study may reveal weaknesses that need to be addressed before moving forward. Builds Internal and External Buy-In: Engaging stakeholders in a feasibility/planning study creates a sense of shared ownership. It allows donors and leaders to shape the vision, which can increase their commitment when the campaign begins. Reduces Risk: Launching a capital campaign without clear insight into your donor base, organizational readiness, and public perception can lead to costly missteps. A feasibility study is your due diligence—it minimizes risk and sets a stronger foundation.   So, when Should You Conduct a Feasibility Study?   Timing is critical. You should consider a feasibility study if:   You’re considering a capital campaign of $1 million or more  Your organization hasn’t run a major campaign in the past 5–10 years  There are questions about donor capacity or campaign urgency  You’re proposing a transformative change (new building, endowment, etc.)  You need to engage a broader base of leadership and major donors In short: before any major campaign planning begins, a feasibility study should be your first step.   Final Thoughts:   A successful capital campaign doesn’t begin with asking for gifts - it begins with listening. A feasibility/planning study allows your organization to pause, assess, and engage wisely. It’s not a sign of uncertainty, it’s a mark of strategic leadership.   Before you build, grow, or launch your next big idea, take the time to ask the right questions. Your future campaign, and the community you serve, deserve it.   Ostara has worked with dozens of organizations as they have ventured into this work. We’d love to work with you too! Contact us today.

by Mitra Karami , Senior Consultant In the nonprofit world, every dollar counts. Whether you’re trying to feed more families, rehome more pets, or raise funds for another cause you believe in, the success of your mission is directly tied to your ability to raise funds—and communicate impact effectively. That’s why it’s worth asking: Is your current marketing and communications strategy doing enough to support fundraising efforts? If your team is stretched thin or if your fundraising efforts feel disjointed, it may be time to consider contracting out key marketing and communications work to professionals who specialize in nonprofit fundraising. And no, we’re not talking about hiring a pricey marketing firm that charges high agency retainers and focuses on brand awareness over mission-driven results. We’re talking about strategic, project-based partnerships with small firms that understand nonprofit fundraising inside and out – like the Ostara Group! Here’s why this route is often not just smarter—but also more cost-effective. 1. Fundraising Requires Specialized Strategy, Not Just Good Design While traditional marketing agencies can make things look beautiful, fundraising is about more than a polished image—it’s about inspiring people to act. Donor behavior is shaped by emotional storytelling, clear calls to action, and an easy giving experience. Ostara specializes in nonprofit fundraising and brings this donor-first mindset to every project—from crafting your annual appeal to redesigning your donation page. We can help you: Audit your website to optimize the donor journey. Use language and visuals proven to increase giving. Make your online donation process seamless and compelling. Traditional agencies might focus on campaigns and brand consistency, but Ostara’s fundraising experts focus on what moves donors to give. 2. Project-Based Work Means Flexible, Scalable Costs Hiring a full-service marketing firm can be expensive. Retainers, strategy sessions, revisions—it adds up fast. Contracting out on a project basis (think: one consultant to write your annual appeal and design your impact report) allows you to control costs and scale up only when you need to. Need a one-time website audit? Done. Need help updating your donation page copy before year-end? Easy. Want to outsource your annual report to someone who’s done it for dozens of other nonprofits? You can do that—without paying for a year-long commitment. This kind of flexibility is a game-changer for nonprofits with limited budgets and seasonal fundraising needs. 3. You Get Experts Focused on What Matters Most Ostara’s consultants specialize in nonprofit fundraising communications and bring a depth of experience and mission alignment that generalist marketing agencies often lack. We are professionals who have worked inside nonprofits, written countless appeals, created donor-focused content, and understand what resonates with funders and donors alike. We can: Write compelling, data-informed impact reports that clearly show outcomes. Update your donation page with tested language that increases conversions. Develop segmented donor communications that improve retention and response rates. In other words, we focus on results—not just deliverables. 4. You’ll Save Staff Time and Avoid Burnout Let’s face it—most nonprofit teams are already doing the work of two or three people. Asking your in-house team to manage complicated design projects, write persuasive donor content, and optimize your digital donation experience on top of everything else is a recipe for burnout. Contracting out specific fundraising communications work allows your staff to focus on relationship-building, program delivery, and other core mission activities. You’re not replacing your team—you’re empowering them to do what they do best. 5. You’ll Stay Current with Best Practices Fundraising communications change quickly—what worked five years ago might fall flat today. Our consultants stay on top of trends, tools, and donor behavior. They know how to navigate AI-assisted content creation, digital donor engagement, and storytelling across platforms. They bring in fresh ideas, new technologies, and data-driven strategies—without requiring you to hire a full-time expert. Final Thought: It’s Not About Spending Less—It’s About Spending Smarter When you contract out marketing and communications work specifically tied to fundraising, you’re investing in your mission. You’re ensuring that every donor touchpoint is intentional, compelling, and optimized to drive support. And by choosing Ostara’s consultants over costly marketing agencies, you’re getting more targeted expertise at a fraction of the cost. The end result? Stronger fundraising campaigns, more engaged donors, and a more sustainable future for your organization. Looking to outsource your fundraising communications strategically? Start with a simple project: a website audit, a year-end appeal rewrite, or a redesign of your donation page. You may be surprised how far that investment goes. And, Ostara is here to help!

by Scott Sadler , Partner and Senior Strategist Nonprofits are facing a perfect storm in 2025: federal funding cuts, economic uncertainty, and shifting donor behavior . But instead of folding, many are adapting with creativity and grit. Here’s how they’re adjusting: Diversifying revenue streams : With federal grants drying up, nonprofits are leaning more on individual donors, corporate partnerships, and local government support. Some are even exploring social enterprise models to generate income. Mergers and collaborations : Organizations have merged with larger nonprofits to pool resources and sustain services. This trend is growing as groups prioritize mission over brand. Emphasizing transparency and storytelling : Nonprofits are being more open about financial challenges and using compelling narratives to connect with donors. Highlighting volunteer stories and community impact helps cut through the noise. Boosting volunteer engagement : While donations may be down, volunteerism is up in some areas. Organizations are tapping into this goodwill to maintain services and deepen community ties. Scenario planning and contingency strategies : Many are preparing for worst-case funding scenarios by building flexible budgets and identifying essential vs. non-essential programs and response plans for each scenario. See attached Ostara resource. Advocacy and policy engagement : Groups like the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits are actively lobbying against proposed federal cuts and encouraging public support for vital services. Implement a “Mini, Urgent Campaign” : Take a campaign style approach to your current scenario. Build a case for support based on current reality, establish a goal and timeline, identify donor prospects, mobilize staff, volunteers, and counsel, and raise money to offset anticipated negative outcomes your organization faces at this juncture. Despite the headwinds, some leaders see this as a moment for reinvention. As one nonprofit CEO put it, “It’s not an ego thing… it’s about keeping the mission going and supporting the community”. In summary: Taking forward moving action will help everyone in your organization focus on what they can control. If your organization has relevant impact and a relationship with your donors, they will respond. Impact drives income. Double down on fundraising efforts by focusing on your impact and communicating with your donors. If you don't know where to start, contact Ostara or download the Financial Planning Scenario tool at the bottom of this article to forecast your year, make adjustments to budget, and determine best outcomes. Learn more by visiting the sources below: The Chronical of Philanthropy From $100,000 to $185 Raised: The Toll of Job Losses, Federal Cuts on Fundraising , Foundation List: Nonprofit Funding Trends 2025: Tariffs, Job Cuts, and Donor Shifts , KSAT.com : Local nonprofits admitting struggle, weighing options after continued federal funding cuts , The Journal Record: On the Town: Nonprofits struggle as federal cuts threaten vital services

by Mitra Karami, Senior Consultant In the nonprofit world, every dollar counts—and that includes the dollars you invest in fundraising and marketing efforts. But how do you know if your campaigns are truly working? How do you evaluate whether your messaging is moving the needle, or if your fundraising tactics are delivering a solid return on investment? Measuring success in the nonprofit sector goes beyond dollars raised. It requires a thoughtful look at both financial and mission-driven metrics. Here’s how to assess the ROI and overall success of your fundraising and marketing campaigns: Define Clear Goals from the Start Before you launch a campaign, define what success looks like. Is it: Raising a specific dollar amount? Acquiring a set number of new donors? Increasing your monthly giving program? Boosting email list engagement? Driving traffic to your website or event page? Set SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) so you have something concrete to measure against. Track Direct ROI on Fundraising Campaigns To calculate ROI for a fundraising campaign: ROI = (Net Revenue from Campaign – Cost of Campaign) ÷ Cost of Campaign For example, if a campaign brought in $50,000 and cost $10,000 to run, the ROI is: ($50,000 – $10,000) ÷ $10,000 = 4 This means you earned $4 for every $1 invested. Important costs to include: Staff time Advertising and printing Software and platform fees Postage or event expenses Track ROI by campaign type — email appeals, events, peer-to-peer, social media ads — so you can identify your most effective channels. Measure Donor Engagement and Retention Beyond just how much money you raise, measure how well you’re building lasting donor relationships: Donor Retention Rate  – How many donors gave last year and again this year? Average Gift Size  – Is your donor base giving more over time? Monthly Giving Growth  – Are more supporters joining your recurring giving program? Donor Lifetime Value (LTV)  – How much is a donor expected to contribute over the course of their relationship with your org? Retention and LTV are powerful indicators of long-term success. Evaluate Marketing and Communications Effectiveness Marketing and communications efforts may not always tie directly to revenue, but they are essential to donor acquisition and engagement. Evaluate their impact using: Digital Metrics: Email open/click-through/conversion rates Website traffic and time on site Social media reach, engagement, and shares New email subscribers or followers Brand Awareness and Reach: Earned media mentions or press coverage Community partnerships and co-branded campaigns Public event attendance Message Testing: A/B testing subject lines, donation appeals, and landing pages Measuring which messages inspire action vs. fall flat Use Attribution Models to Understand Donor Journeys Donors rarely give after a single touchpoint. Use tools like Google Analytics, UTM tracking, or CRM systems to map out the donor journey. Understand: Which communication channels lead to conversion? How long does it take a prospect to become a donor? What combination of emails, events, or ads gets results? Multichannel attribution helps you invest your time and resources where they matter most. Don’t Forget Qualitative Success Numbers are critical—but stories matter too. Collect testimonials, comments, and anecdotal feedback from donors, volunteers, and beneficiaries. Consider: How are your communications shifting public perception? Are donors expressing a deeper understanding of your mission? Are partners or community members echoing your key messages? Qualitative data helps you evaluate emotional impact and mission alignment—things that are often harde r to quantify. Compare results to previous y ears or similar efforts to spot trends and refine future strategies. Use your findings to justify budget increases, adjust messaging, or shift focus to higher-performing channels. Measuring the success of nonprofit fundraising and marketing is about more than just the dollars in the door. It’s about understanding impact, building relationships, and investing your resources wisely. When you track both the hard data and the human stories, you’ll be better equipped to grow your mission—and your movement.

by Adam Runions , Partner and Senior Consultant One time-honored tradition in major gift cultivation is the House Party, a chance for your champion donor or volunteer to open their home and invite peers to come learn about your cause. Though typically small and somewhat exclusive, these events are effective in leveraging volunteer fundraisers, their networks, and people’s desire for a social gathering into new introductions and deeper relationships with your donors.  However, house parties are not a silver bullet for making in-roads with well-heeled donors, nor are they an end unto themselves. The Ostara Group advises dozens of clients in major donor cultivation strategies, which often includes house parties. Below are a few Do’s and Don’ts to ensure your party is strategic and accomplishes your and your host’s shared objectives – to advance donor relationships!  Do’s  Discuss assumptions and objectives with your host . Who is paying? Setting up? Deciding on the invitee list? Several points need to be discussed and written down between staff and the host to make sure you are aligned, to avoid uncomfortable situations down the road.  Co-create the invitee list . Though introductions to the host’s network is a great objective, other prospects should be considered for the invite list if they seem like a good fit. Also, tracking progress with donor cultivation requires organization, so get agreement to share the invite/RSVP list with the host so that you can keep track of your connections (even if they don’t come).  Present your case in a compelling way . Whenever possible, make sure the attendees are getting the most compelling introduction to your organization through strong talking points and impact stories. Having the host give their own testimonial can be a powerful way to create the bridge between the party and the purpose, and it helps thank and elevate them for their leadership and support.  Don'ts Feel like you must “make an ask.” House parties can be highly valuable even when not a single penny is raised on-site. If the goal is to cultivate major donor prospects, it's okay to make it more welcoming by foregoing the financial ask, so long as there is some "call to action." And, you typically get a better gift through multiple conversations than through a soft, spur-of-the-moment appeal at the party itself.  Get into a power struggle with the host . At the end of the day, the event should be a success in the eyes of the host as well as the organization. Be flexible, but encourage them to help you maximize the impact to the organization by talking through the objectives and the plan ahead of time.  Fail to follow-up . Getting facetime with a donor prospect can be a hard hurdle to clear. Once they have shown up for the party, have a plan for potential next steps if people want to learn more, and follow-up with attendees and “regrets” alike to remind them of the fun party and the compelling mission they came to hear about.    Though there are more keys to a successful house party, these principals can point you in the direction of co-producing a fun and effective party, resulting in happy hosts, happy staff, and new connections for your cause. Contact Ostara to discuss more donor cultivation ideas and get a copy of our House Party planning toolkit. As we have seen time and time again, a good house party can have a big impact on your fundraising and your donor community!

Here at Ostara, we have a wealth of knowledge at our fingertips. Today, our consultants answer your most frequently asked questions. Q1: Is a wealth screening worthwhile for my organization? Adam , Partner and Senior Consultant here at Ostara, says that it can be worth it in a few cases: You have decent data on your donors . First and Last name and address are essential for the screening to find good ‘matches’ for your donor in the public databases it scans. Spouse name, email and employer improve the quality from there. Including summary giving to  your  organization (first/last/largest/total giving stats) on each donor enables the program to calculate customized modeling scores about their connection to and likelihood to give to your organization. You understand the value – and limitations – of the screening results . These results are neither comprehensive in finding an individual’s total assets and giving histories, nor are they 100% accurate in what they calculate. The screening offers useful and sometimes surprising information, and the process is valuable to guide and prioritize your efforts when facing a large list with limited resources. Expect to gain insight into your donors’ philanthropic interests and capacity, and of course, you may find a few “diamonds in the rough.” You have the capacity to use the information strategically . You may want to estimate your donor pool’s potential to give if, say, you were to launch a capital campaign. Or, you may be looking to inform existing major donor strategies or add new prospects to your pipeline. This may also be your strategy to help segment your entire pool of households to better tailor your donor development program. In all cases, it will require some clarity of the outcomes you are looking for, as well as the commitment and skills to execute your cultivations accordingly. Q2: Should I approach invite-only grant funders ?  Our grants expert and Senior Consultant, Rob weighs in: If you’ve spent any time doing grant research, you’ve likely encountered funders that state they are “invite-only” or “only contribute to pre-selected organizations.” The answer is that while the odds of securing funding from these grantmakers are generally lower, we think it’s worth trying to connect with these funders because a thoughtful introduction can still open doors. Many funders with closed processes are often trying to manage volume or prioritize long-standing partnerships – not necessarily signal that new relationships are off the table forever. If your organization’s mission and programs clearly align with a funder’s priorities, it can be worth reaching out through a concise, compelling introduction. This can be via email, a message submitted through their website, or a mailed letter. The key is to keep in mind that this outreach is not a formal grant request – it’s an opportunity to briefly highlight your work, establish potential alignment, and express interest in a conversation. Keep your message short, focused, and impact driven. The goal is to spark interest – not to pitch a funding request. Ideally, your outreach will result in a phone call or an invitation to submit a letter of inquiry. That said, you may not receive a response, or the funder may let you know that your organization isn’t a fit or simply confirm that they only support pre-selected organizations. Whatever the outcome, your organization will now be on their radar – and that visibility could pay off down the line. In short, don’t treat invite-only or pre-selection processes as a hard stop. View them as a soft barrier that can sometimes be navigated with the right mix of alignment, clarity, and consideration for how the funder manages its giving. Q3: Why is it so important for fundraisers to integrate marketing into their work? Mitra , a Senior Consultant, weighs-in on the importance of marketing and communications to fundraisers: Fundraising isn’t just about asking for money, it’s about building relationships, telling stories, and inspiring action. That’s where marketing and communications come in. In the nonprofit world, communications and fundraising are two sides of the same coin . One fuels the other. Great storytelling, strategic messaging, and consistent outreach can significantly boost donor engagement, retention, and giving levels. Here’s how communications powers fundraising: It Tells the “Why” Behind the Ask. Fundraising appeals work best when they’re rooted in a compelling story. Communications help craft the narrative that connects donors emotionally to your mission. It Builds Trust Through Transparency. Regular updates via newsletters, social media, and annual reports reassure donors that their gifts are making a difference—and that your organization is a good steward of their support. It Creates Consistency Across Channel. Whether it’s a campaign landing page, a thank-you email, or a donor event invitation, strong communications ensure your messaging is unified, clear, and mission-aligned. It Keeps Donors Engaged Year-Round. Fundraising is not a one-time event. Ongoing communication keeps your cause top-of-mind and nurtures long-term relationships. If you’re treating fundraising and communications as separate efforts, it’s time to realign When you treat communications as a strategic partner in fundraising—not just a support function—you unlock deeper engagement, you build a loyal community of advocates who believe in your mission, and you can pave the way to more sustainable revenue growth.  Q4: How do I get my board more engaged in fundraising? Finally, Scott , Partner & Senior Strategist gives us his final thoughts: Establish clear fundraising policies and board job   descriptions  that outline expectations for personal donations and participation in activities. This can include providing donor prospect names, writing, or signing thank you and solicitation letters, thanking donors personally, or participating in donor visits and program tours with donors. Identify and recruit members who possess the necessary skills or an understanding and willingness to engage in fundraising activities . During the recruitment process, share the job description and clearly outline the expectations, as well as the level of support and coaching provided. Reinforce these points during the new member orientation to ensure a smooth transition and alignment with the board's goals. Ask each board member to make a personally meaningful financial contribution. Understand that each board member has unique capacity to give and establish an ask amount that aligns with their capacity. This sets an example and demonstrates their commitment to the organization. Use a special pledge form to guide board members in making an annual fundraising commitment , considering the array of fundraising activities throughout the year. Develop an annual engagement plan with each individual board member , tailored to their skill sets and strengths. Include specific goals and activities like number of prospects identified, introductions, thank you calls, notes, visits, elected official outreach, etc. Check-in with them regularly to ascertain progress and offer encouragement and coaching as needed. Provide fundraising training and real-time pre-donor visit coaching that builds confidence and develops skills. Implement practical tools like donor visit outlines, talking points, sample scripts, and steps for approaching potential donors. Provide organizational branded thank you cards to each board member to utilize post visit or donation. Create mentorships by   pairing inexperienced board members with staff or more seasoned past or current board members to increase their comfort with donor conversations, including personal solicitations. Encourage each member to give in a variety of ways,  to make the organization a priority in their personal giving plan, or to contribute in other meaningful ways. Accommodate professional restrictions by identifying other opportunities for board members who may be prohibited from certain kinds of fundraising solicitations due to their profession or position.  Create a culture of Collective Accountability by   celebrating achievements, discussing challenges, brainstorming strategy, and giving each board member an opportunity to provide updates on their activities in each board/committee meeting. To connect with a member of the Ostara Group, or to learn more about how we can work with you to achieve your goals, contact us . Do you have any more burning questions? Email us at info@ostaragroup.com to let us know. 1 2 3 4

by Mitra Karami You've just wrapped up a successful fundraising event. The venue is cleared, the final tally is in, and your team is finally catching their breath. But before you archive the slideshow and move on, there’s one crucial phase that deserves your full attention: post-event stewardship. Good stewardship transforms a one-time event donor into a lifelong supporter. It shows gratitude, builds trust, and sets the stage for future engagement. Whether you're managing a gala, a charity 5k, or a virtual fundraiser, how you follow up post event is just as important as the planning process. Here are essential tips to elevate your post-fundraising stewardship strategy: Say Thank You—Quickly and Personally Speed matters. Aim to send a thank-you within 48 hours of your event. Go beyond the standard "thanks for attending" and tailor your message to the donor's level of involvement—sponsor, volunteer, VIP guest, or first-time donor. Tips: Use donor names and reference specific actions (e.g., “Your generous $500 gift helped us exceed our goal”). Consider handwritten notes for major donors. Send thank-you emails with event highlights or photos to keep the momentum going. Share Impact, Not Just Numbers People give to causes, not just events. Let them know what their contribution is doing . Share outcomes, stories, and real-life examples that connect their gift to your mission. Tips: Send a follow-up impact report or infographic. Highlight one or two stories that show how donations are being used. Include testimonials or quotes from beneficiaries or staff. Ask for Feedback Inviting feedback shows donors that you value their input and are committed to improving their experience. Tips: Create a short, mobile-friendly survey. Ask about the event logistics, communication, and their motivation for giving. Offer an optional phone call for major donors or committee members. Celebrate and Recognize Your Supporters Public recognition boosts donor morale and community spirit. Celebrate top fundraisers, sponsors, and volunteers both privately and publicly. Tips: Tag and thank participants on social media (with permission). Create a post-event slideshow or video and feature it on your website. List supporters in your newsletter or annual report. Offer Clear Next Steps Don’t let the relationship end with the event. Provide meaningful ways for attendees to stay involved. Tips: Invite them to your next event, volunteer opportunity, or campaign. Share upcoming initiatives they can support. Set up a drip email campaign to engage new donors over time. Track and Segment Your Donors Your CRM is your best friend post-event. Segment donors by behavior (new vs. returning, donation amount, engagement level) to tailor future communication. Tips: Flag event donors for a special welcome series or upgrade appeal. Analyze giving patterns to identify potential major gift prospects. Use notes from conversations or surveys to personalize outreach. Final Thoughts Post-event stewardship isn’t just a courtesy—it’s a strategy. Thoughtful follow-up fosters loyalty, increases retention, and builds a community around your cause. With the right approach, your recent fundraiser isn’t just the end of an event—it’s the beginning of a stronger donor relationship.

by Hal J. Abrams, J.D., LL.M.  , Planned Giving Consultant     Planned giving can be a nuanced topic, and is often overlooked by fundraisers as something worth investment. However, it is an excellent way to secure long-term commitments and revenue for your organization. Understanding why planned giving is important and how to build a planned giving program is vital to the success of your organization.     Below are some common misconceptions about planned giving:    “We’ve been meaning to build a planned giving program just as soon as our capital campaign is over”  “I don’t want to mention planned giving to this donor because he may take money off the table.”  “Mentioning death during a gift solicitation splashes cold water on the giving discussion.”    Assumed rationale for not using planned giving throughout a campaign   “I would prefer not to raise too much money during the campaign”  “I enjoy the challenge of fundraising with one arm tied around my back”    Let’s reverse the order of words to better appreciate the power of Planned Giving.   Let’s just call it “Gift Planning.”   In this context, it may be easier to see that all good fundraiser’s ultimate goal is to build a sufficient relationship with a donor to help show them giving opportunities that complement their goals.   Don’t we want to help our donors “plan” their gifts to address both their philanthropic and financial goals?   If we don’t fully understand the goals of the donor, our gift solicitations are simply blind “crap shoots” to hope that when we make a solicitation that we are asking the donor at the right time for the right amount of money.    Building a Gift Planning program can help a fundraiser better identify the best donors.       So let’s build a Gift Planning program!       Is there a better donor to focus on than someone who has already told you that your organization is in their will?       With this in mind, steps 1 and 2  to building a successful planned giving program are:    Step One: Create a Legacy Society that honors anyone who has made an end of life commitment (will, living trust, retirement plan, life insurance beneficiary or life income gift); and  Step Two : Promote the heck out of the Legacy Society:  Include magic boxes on all reply mechanisms (“check here if you are eligible to be a member of the _____ Legacy Society because you have included us in your estate”);  Piggy back Legacy Society promotion in all written and email communications (“PS Please let us know if you are eligible to be a member of the ____ Legacy Society”)  Send stand-alone post cards, buck slips and emails (and include on the website) mentioning the ____ Legacy Society.    The immediate result after just taking these first two steps is to better steward your estate donors .   This increased stewardship results in (1) decreasing the chance that the donor will remove you from their will (2) building a strong relationship with a donor whose fully qualified as having a strong affinity (can anyone have a stronger affinity than someone who is trusting their hard-earned wealth with your organization upon their death?)    Russell James cites that over 50% of all charitable estates change one of their charitable beneficiaries within the last five years of a donor’s lifetime.   So, let’s make sure that we are front-of-mind with as many estate donors as possible.    Russell James also cites that donors who join a legacy society give on average 75% more after their membership.    Step Three:  Train the development staff, then board members to be legacy society ambassadors and capable issue spotters of donors who could either (a) be a potential legacy society member or (b) might benefit from learning of tax saving and income increasing components of planned giving.    At this point, your Planned Giving Program is well on its way.       Step Four:  Train the development team to go beyond being an “issue spotter” to holding basic literacy  in the benefits of some of the planned giving techniques.   These techniques are not rocket science. Common planned giving techniques include giving from one’s IRA, stock or even real estate.   Of course, the second tier of planned giving techniques does include life income gifts like charitable gift annuities and charitable remainder trusts.   Independent study or having one or two consultant-led trainings should be sufficient to gain basic literacy .       With this basic level of knowledge, the development team can help keep a solicitation alive by offering ideas why the donor needn’t decline a solicitation (because their assets are not liquid or they are concerned about having enough money for retirement or their kids) and offer solutions that allow the donor to shift looming tax bills to become gifts to charity.       Once development officers can gain this basic literacy, they can make such provocative statements such as “Some of our donors have been able to seal their real estate or diversify their stock portfolios without paying any capital gains taxes.”   This question naturally elicits a response like “I own 4 or 5 LLCs with real estate, tell me more” or “that is interesting, but I don’t own any real estate or stocks.”   The first answer could lead to better qualifying a donor than the best research department could uncover.   The second answer is equally illustrative in qualifying this donor as NOT having as high a capacity as one might have thought from their zip code, car they drive or job title (which is usually the extent that research departments can uncover a donor’s assets).        When the dust clears, promoting a planned giving program is full of ways to better qualify, steward and cultivate donors that lead to more and bigger gifts.

By Mitra Karami Questioning whether your organization should participate in GiveBIG this year? According to WA Gives, in 2024, 44,602 donations were made by 23,271 donors. These donations, combined with donor-advised funds (DAF) and IRA contributions, matching donations from individuals and companies, sponsors, and in-kind contributions from local media companies totaled $11.6 million! Below are some of Ostara Group’s top strategies and tips to help your organization prepare. Boost Website Traffic Use GiveBIG as an opportunity to drive traffic to your organization’s website. Create a unique landing page on your website to host your GiveBIG donation form. Use Digital Communications Strategically In the age of digital fundraising, email and social media are cost-effective and useful tools to enhance your fundraising strategy. A steady stream of communication with your donors with a multichannel approach is essential to bringing attention to your organization before and during the campaigns: Plan ahead and create a schedule. Tell a story – communicate campaign goals and impact creatively through social media channels and emails. Let your donors know about the campaign and share match details a week in advance, as well as the day before to capture their attention. Mornings and evenings tend to be the best times to send emails. Don’t get lost in the shuffle. Plan multiple emails on the day-of. Organizations who sent emails by 7am before the workday and 7pm after dinner on the day of GiveBIG saw an average of 28% more revenue last year than those who didn’t. Use Urgency-Driving Language Create urgency to drive engagement by incorporating elements such as a countdown clock, thermometers, compelling graphics, and videos. Emphasize deadlines and milestones in the days leading up. Express impact of the donor’s donation in clear, highly motivating ways. For example, use match-driven language or client stories to turn a transactional process into an opportunity for investment in your mission and vision. Engage supporters throughout the campaign on social media, using tools like Instagram reels and Facebook stories to do shout outs. Keep them informed of your progress towards your goals and deadlines so that they can take advantage of matching opportunities. Focus on a Specific Ask Alt Text: The picture is a graphic and features 3 people sitting at a table, one on a computer, all looking at a large graph on the wall Use the GiveBIG campaign to inspire donors to make an additional gift by framing your call to action around a specific ask or funding need. For Example: One of our clients had tremendous success last year, by asking donors to donate to fund the purchase of an essential piece of equipment they desperately needed. By focusing on a specific programmatic need and having a clear call to action that differed from their typical year-round fundraising campaigns, they were able to raise over $65,000 through their 2024 GiveBIG campaign. For reference, this client raised $2,500 in 2023. Target Different Segments of Donors If GiveBIG coincides with fundraising campaigns or events your organization holds during these times of the year, use the campaign as an opportunity to engage specific segments of your donors like mid-level, annual fund and/or lapsed donors. Segment and tailor communications directly to this audience that emphasize their role in supporting your work. Incorporate matching incentives, impact equivalencies, and graphics that detail the increased impact their gift can have on your organization’s ability to carry out their mission. Ensure that these are specific to each segment that you are targeting. Weave A Compelling Narrative The power of storytelling lies in its ability to connect with the audience on a human level. Sharing stories helps donors see themselves as a part of your work and how their contribution impacts someone else. Share pictures or video clips in your email communications and on social media to demonstrate impact and create a compelling story that will motivate donors to give. Share testimonials to highlight the communities and people you serve. This doesn’t need to be professionally done –repurpose footage from a previous year’s mission video or have a staff member or volunteer snap some pictures or clips on their phone. Effective storytelling enables you to connect with your audience on a deeper level and inspires your donors to give. Keep Track of More than What You Raised It is essential to adopt a data driven fundraising approach. Reviewing your campaign data lets you know what you need to change to get better results. By analyzing your metrics, you can use GiveBIG as an opportunity to determine what is working well and identify areas that could be improved upon. When analyzing your donations post campaign, we suggest looking at: Donation page and overall website traffic. Email open rate, click through rate and unsubscribe rate. Conversion rate. Average donation amount. This will help you identify how donors made their way to your giving page, how well your messaging is resonating with your audience, and what strategies can be adjusted to better engage your audience. You may find your emails generate less traffic than your social media posts or incorporating video testimonials increased giving year over year. This gives you a better idea of where to focus your energy for the following year. If you choose to participate in GiveBIG 2025, think of it as an opportunity to test new communications strategies, reach a wider audience, and build new or deeper relationships with those who choose to give. If you would like to talk through your GiveBIG or annual fund strategies, contact the Ostara Group today!

by Robert Yoo Congratulations to all our clients who submitted state and federal funding requests over the past few months. We know these cultivations and applications take a lot of time and effort on your part, so great work! If you haven’t already seen the House and Senate lists for the Department of Commerce Local and Community Projects, you can access them here: House - 2026 Local and Community Projects  Senate - 2026 Local and Community Projects  Alt Text: An individual in a black dress with sunflowers standing on grass with their hands together. In their hands, there is a stack of quarters and a plant in the center. If your organization made a Local and Community Projects, Community-Based Projects, and/or Congressionally Directed Spending request, we recommend that you continue to cultivate your representatives. With all the uncertainty around state and federal budget cuts this year, it’s important to ensure your request is top of mind throughout the budget process - e.g., thank them again for their support in championing your project and ask if they need any additional information from you that may help strengthen your request. Feel free to reach out to us if you need any support on cultivation strategies!

Kyle Halmrast, Founder & CEO, Ostara Group By Kyle Halmrast For those of you who have been around Ostara for a while as a client, supporter, employee, or contractor, you likely know the origins of our name. If, however, you’re new to us, Ostara is the Nordic word signifying the vernal, or spring, equinox – it’s when the darkness of winter is behind us.  The days are getting longer, new things are planted and are beginning to sprout, and the promise of a fresh start is around the corner. That idea is what Ostara, the company, means to me, and what it means to our clients as well: t hat a new day is dawning, that there is hope on the horizon, and that there will be growth to look forward to. Typically, my Ostara day messages are lighter, more grounded in the possible, but we now find ourselves in a time when hope feels somewhat misplaced. Ostara was founded in 2008 during one of the most significant financial downturns since the depression. We weathered that, then weathered the storm of COVID, and the cultural upheaval in 2020, so one would think that we had seen the worst. But I have to say, what we’re witnessing now with the assault on the basic fabric of our civic and social structures is unlike anything I’ve experienced in my 30 years in the non-profit sector. The current administration and their lackeys believe that the non-profit sector is a scam, filled with money-hungry n’er-do-wells. Frankly, I’ve never been more insulted. For me and my fellow non-profit professionals, to be likened to grifters by an administration replete with grifters  is the ultimate and most abominable case of projection I have ever seen. So, it’s hard to feel hopeful at a time like this. Our academic institutions are being attacked on political grounds. Congressionally awarded grants are being illegally frozen by fiat. People are being disappeared and deported despite their citizenship status.  It smacks of some of the worst political malfeasance in our global history. In short, it really is a fucking mess.   But I believe that this chaos and the direct attack on hope is exactly the point . There is an expectation that we’ll tire, be afraid to stand, or just shut our eyes in the hopes that the monster will go away. And this is their mistake. We in the non-profit sector are resilient. We’re fighters. We’re used to moving mountains with very small shovels. Ultimately, I believe that justice will prevail – those of us working tirelessly to serve our communities are not going anywhere. So, there you have it, full circle… we are back to the hope that I always return to, because I believe in our tenacity as a sector. Keep in the fight. Be smart, be focused, and lean into your work, your relationships, and your mission. Keep your eyes open and your mind clear. A new beginning is always around the corner… and ours is coming.

By Robert Yoo, Senior Grants Consultant January is a great time for your nonprofit to revisit its grant strategies for 2025. The process of finding and securing grants can be an emotional rollercoaster for many nonprofit fundraisers, especially given the increasing need for funding and the limited amount of grants available. It can be frustrating at times when you invest so much time and effort in grant submissions when you don’t hear back from funders or find out that your grant was declined.   This is why it’s important to review your grant strategies on an ongoing basis. Here are a few ways to help ensure your organization is well-positioned for the grant opportunities that you pursue this year. Remember, grant writing is not just about asking for money – it’s about building partnerships and demonstrating your organization’s impact for the individuals, families, and communities you serve.   Review your grants calendar Review your grant submission calendar to confirm all the LOI and proposal deadlines you’re planning on pursuing this year are up-to-date and set reminders to make sure you don’t miss any opportunities. Make sure you have a good handle on all your reporting requirements and communicate them with your program teams well in advance of report deadlines so that you have enough time to gather and analyze all the program data you’ll need.   Research new grant opportunities The institutional funding landscape evolves every year. Grantmakers often offer new funding opportunities and/or shift their existing priorities, so it’s important to stay informed. If you haven’t already, consider investing in grant search engines like Foundation Directory Online, GrantStation, Instrumentl, or Grant Watch to identify opportunities aligned with your organization’s mission and impact. Regularly check websites like the Washington Department of Commerce , FundHubWA  or Grants.gov  for public funding opportunities your organization may be eligible to pursue. Work with your board, peer organization networks, and other internal and external stakeholders to identify potential connections you may have with institutional funders. Grow and diversify your grant revenue streams so that you’re not overly reliant on a few funders. Ensure your organization pursues a balanced mix of foundation, corporate, and public funding opportunities to mitigate potential fundraising gaps.   Build cultivation and stewardship strategies for new and existing funders Develop concise and compelling introduction emails, letters, and call scripts for new funders that are tailored to their grantmaking priorities. Create a cultivation activity plan and calendar to track when and how you’ll engage your current funders. Some ideas include sending them your organization’s newsletter or annual report, creating quarterly program impact updates to share with them, or inviting them to site visits and special events.   Update and refine how your organization defines its impact Review your organization’s key performance indicators (KPIs) to ensure they align with your mission and funder priorities. Collaborate with your program teams to develop a strategy and timeline for collecting impact data on a regular basis that works for your organization. For example, you can create a shared Excel spreadsheet for impact metrics that you or your program teams can update on a quarterly basis to help streamline the grant reporting process. Research funder grantmaking priorities and how other nonprofits in your field are defining their impact to generate new ideas for your organization. These strategies are always helpful for strengthening your organization’s case for support.    Create compelling narratives Revisit, refine, and reframe how you describe the who, what, when, why, and how of your organization’s work. Tailor your grant submissions to what funders are interested in supporting and make sure you’re answering the questions they’re asking in their proposals. When possible, try to connect with funders before submitting to get insights on their priorities and whether your organization’s programs and services align with them. Demonstrate your organization’s value through inspiring storytelling backed by data. Generally, it’s good to keep your narratives simple and compelling with a clear outline of how grant funding will help ensure your organization can achieve its stated impact.