Lisa Schohl

Spain

Senior Editor at The Chronicle of Philanthropy

Senior editor @philanthropy: writing and editing advice articles and reports on industry trends for nonprofit pros. Formerly a nonprofit pro.

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Articles

5 Hallmarks of a Thriving Monthly Giving Program OR 5 Ways to Ensure Monthly Giving Thrives — Despite Economic Uncertainty

2 weeks ago | philanthropy.com | Lisa Schohl

As economic worries grow amid federal funding cuts and threats of a potential recession, monthly giving can provide stability for your nonprofit by creating a predictable and dependable revenue stream. Among the many ways these programs pay off for charities, monthly donors tend to be easier — and cost less — to hang on to than other supporters. One study found that the retention rate for sustainers typically is around 90 percent, compared with an average rate of about 45 percent for all donors.
7 Tips to Kickstart Monthly Giving and Boost Your Nonprofit’s Financial Health

1 month ago | philanthropy.com | Lisa Schohl

Monthly donors are some of the most valuable supporters for nonprofits: They provide a reliable and steady source of income, often stay with an organization for multiple years, and have the potential to give bigger sums or even become legacy donors if treated well. Plus, at a time when many nonprofits are seeing an ongoing drop in small-dollar supporters amid increasing economic uncertainty, monthly giving is a smart way to bolster your group’s ability to weather turbulent financial times.
Big-Gift Fundraising Today: What’s Working

2 months ago | philanthropy.com | Lisa Schohl

Plus, join our Thursday webinar on understanding DAF donors
Smart Ways to Show You’re Ready for a Promotion - and a Few Things to Avoid

Feb 25, 2025 | philanthropy.com | Lisa Schohl |Lisa Schohl writes

Taking your career to the next level is challenging in any industry, but nonprofit professionals often face an even steeper climb. Many charities — especially small ones — don’t have structured job hierarchies or clear paths for growth. Plus, nonprofit workers are busy. “I always feel as though nonprofits have to do everything,” says Sara Cole, CEO of the Duluth Area Family YMCA. “It’s like the Ginger Rogers [and] Fred Astaire joke about women, right?
How to Create a Culture of Fundraising on Your Board

May 15, 2024 | philanthropy.com | Lisa Schohl

You shouldn’t assume trustees know how to raise money simply because they joined your board, experts say. Here are nine ways to build a board that prioritizes fundraising — and help them succeed.
10 Insider Tips to Raise General Operating Support

Mar 4, 2024 | philanthropy.com | Lisa Schohl

While many foundations and donors loosened restrictions on giving during the pandemic, it’s still unclear whether that trend will continue. Yet the costs of running a nonprofit, and holding onto talented staff, keep rising.
10 Ways to Boost Fundraising and Attract More Big Gifts This Year

Feb 13, 2024 | philanthropy.com | Lisa Schohl

Wealthy donors are giving generously, even as the number of everyday Americans who give to a charity is dwindling. Rich individuals donated an average of nearly $35,000 in 2022, one survey found. It should be no surprise, then, that many nonprofits are increasingly looking to big donors to hit their revenue goals.
Create a Smart Annual Outreach Plan to Keep Donors Close - and Boost Giving

Jan 23, 2024 | philanthropy.com | Lisa Schohl

Most fundraisers understand that staying in touch with donors all year long is crucial to keep supporters connected to the mission, ensure that no one is overlooked, and lay the groundwork for strong year-end giving. But it can be hard to know how — and find time — to build a 12-month outreach calendar, especially in a year that promises to be quite complicated.
10 Ways to Engage Donors of All Generations

Nov 27, 2023 | philanthropy.com | Lisa Schohl

Broadening your donor base to include people of all ages is a smart way to increase revenue and bolster your nonprofit’s future: Older Americans are expected to pass down more than $84 trillion in total wealth within the next two decades, research shows. Forward-thinking fundraisers are using targeted tactics to engage not only older supporters who often are focused on their legacies, but also their younger family members and friends, including Gen Xers, Millennials, and even Gen Z donors.
11 Ways to Improve Your Donor Thank-Yous and Inspire Loyalty

Oct 2, 2023 | philanthropy.com | Lisa Schohl

Abstract: Ideas and advice from experts, including ways to use philanthropic psychology to create more meaningful thank-you messages — and boost giving. In times of belt-tightening, donor acknowledgement programs are often among the first things nonprofits cut, says Jen Shang, co-founder of the Institute for Sustainable Philanthropy, but it’s smarter to do the opposite.