Summer reads, smart asks, time hacks

Date: May 28, 2025

Smart Brevity^® count: 3 mins...780 words

Welcome, Broad Oaks family! We're excited to bring you timely information and easy tools to help you and your nonprofit grow.

Let’s dive in!

📊 Donor engagement check-in

A frustrated woman with a computer, letters, and a cell phone, signifying exhaustion from reaching out via many channels without getting a big response

What's new: We're exploring the donor engagement hurdles you're experiencing this year.

What’s been your biggest challenge with donor engagement this year?

Fewer responses to emails

Harder to secure meetings

Drop-off in recurring giving

All of the above 😩

Your response is anonymous

💻 Webinar: Craft your case for support

GUIDE your donors, board, and organization to action.

Your Case for Support is a crucial tool for donor engagement and advocacy.

Why it matters: Articulating why donors should support your cause goes beyond "we do good work." It's about telling a compelling story that resonates.

What: A webinar on crafting your Case for Support led by Tom Ahern, the Godfather of direct response marketing.

When: Thursday, May 29, 2025, from 12:00 to 1:30 pm CT.

Cost: $129 per computer connection.

Why it’s worth it: You'll receive everything you need — the recording, slides, notes, and chat — to apply these lessons indefinitely. Even if you miss it live, enjoy the flexibility of watching it later.

Pro-tip: Consider organizing a team (think board/invested volunteer) viewing session, complete with refreshments, to maximize impact and discussion.

🔄 Generational giving trends reshape strategies

Illustration of a man dangling from money

Foster RELATIONSHIPS with your donors, prospective donors, and teammates.

Shifting winds: Giving USA’s 2025 report on generational giving correlates to what we’re seeing IRL with our clients:

Boomers double the amount given compared to other generations.
Millennials continue to surpass Gen X in average household giving, with the gap growing (9 percent higher in 2021, 18 percent in 2024)
Giving among Gen Z grew by 16 percent over 2021.

Why it matters: Understanding who provides your primary sources of revenue can help you develop donor engagement strategies to lead your organization forward.

Boomers are the most engaged with nonprofits on social media (consider tailoring some of your communications to this audience).
Gen Z overwhelmingly reports a desire to be contacted by text or phone once per month by a nonprofit after they make their first gift.

The big picture: With Boomers and Millennials out-giving Gen X, we may be inclined to push cultivation and engagement strategies with these folks to the back burner. But consider this:

Gen X volunteers with nonprofits at a higher rate than any other generation
Gen X stands to gain the most wealth from the $84 trillion wealth transfer over the next 10 years

Watch for new growth: The volunteer and donor experience Gen X has today will inform their giving decisions tomorrow.

The bottom line: When this “sandwich” generation is no longer caring for young children and aging parents and has discretionary income/investable assets, will your nonprofit be top of mind?

Go deeper

📚Power reads for nonprofit and fundraising success

Woman with a tattoo holding up a stack of books.

OPPORTUNITIES for professional growth and personal development

Summer is upon us, and we thought this is the ideal time to add to your summer reading list.

From the roots up: Being a great nonprofit leader begins with being educated and informed. Books offer us the opportunity to:

Further develop a skill
Expand our view of possibilities
Connect with others

Ring by ring: Here’s a list of some of our favorite books to help advance your fundraising and leadership game:

Integrity Selling for the 21st Century – Master the art of selling with authenticity and trust. Purchase here
Asking – The ultimate guide to making fundraising asks with confidence and clarity. Purchase here
The Artful Journey – A deep dive into Moves Management and the strategic cultivation of major donors. Purchase here
Start with Why – Learn how great leaders inspire action by focusing on purpose first. Purchase here
Building a StoryBrand – Transform your messaging to captivate donors and drive engagement. Purchase here
Atomic Habits – Small, consistent changes lead to massive success—perfect for fundraisers and leaders alike. Purchase here
Are You on the Right Bus? - Navigate change, embrace growth, and lead with vision. Purchase here

🗓 Master your minutes with AI

If you have a little bit of time left, how about start writing your own bucket list

Streamline WORK to help you become more efficient.

Ever feel like your to-do list is longer than your workday?

As we approach the mid-year mark, now's the perfect moment to reset your schedule and refocus your energy on what matters most.
This month, try a simple Time Management Matrix exercise – and give it a boost with AI.

Step 1: Identify your tasks and bucket them using the Eisenhower Matrix (urgent/important vs. not urgent/not important).

Step 2: Use AI tools like ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot to help you:

Prioritize: “Here’s my to-do list—what should I do first?”
Automate: “Write a draft email to delegate this task.”
Refine: “What’s the fastest way to complete this report?”

Then, pair it with a 15-minute AI session to knock out the clutter.

The bottom line: Your future self will thank you.

Ready to try it? Use this free interactive tool:

Get organized

Interested in learning how Broad Oaks Consulting can help you raise more money with confidence? Schedule a complimentary consultation today.

Let's Connect!

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Summer reads, smart asks, time hacks

📊 Donor engagement check-in

What’s been your biggest challenge with donor engagement this year?

💻 Webinar: Craft your case for support

🔄 Generational giving trends reshape strategies

📚Power reads for nonprofit and fundraising success

🗓 Master your minutes with AI

Up Your Donor Cultivation Game

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