Virtuous

Higher education institutions face unique challenges—a limited supporter pool, internal competition for funding, and shifting enrollment trends. To thrive, your team needs smarter engagement strategies and connected technology solutions that break down silos and maximize donor impact. Join us on April 15th for a webinar and product demo to see how Virtuous empowers higher ed institutions to grow giving, boost alumni engagement, and increase operational efficiency!

What happens when urgency drives nonprofit decision-making—but not effectiveness? In this episode of Ask a Responsive Fundraiser, we hear from Heather Hiscox, founder of Pause for Change and co-creator of the Possibility Project, about what gets in the way of nonprofit teams solving problems effectively. She shares a powerful insight: most nonprofit professionals are operating with good intentions and deep care—but they’re often pulled into a cycle of urgency that prevents strategic action. Key takeaways include: ⭐ Urgency culture in nonprofits can create a false sense of productivity ⭐ Jumping into solutions without defining the problem wastes time and energy ⭐ Teams need permission to pause and understand the real challenge ⭐ Shifting mindset from reactive to reflective leads to better outcomes How do you create space to slow down and make better decisions in your nonprofit? Let’s talk about it in the comments.👇 #AskAResponsiveFundraiser #Nonprofit #Leadership #ResponsiveFundraising #SocialImpact #Philanthropy #Fundraising

Donor behavior is shifting. Acquisition costs are climbing. Retention is dropping. Yet revenue is holding steady…for some. So what’s really happening across rescue missions? And how can your team respond? Join Virtuous and Masterworks for a data-driven look at the fundraising trends shaping the rescue mission space today. We’ll unpack the findings from the 2025 Rescue Mission Benchmark Report, revealing sector data that tells a clear story: the most successful missions are investing in deeper donor relationships and smarter donor pipelines, not just more appeals. This session will break down the numbers and translate them into real-world strategies you can use to grow revenue, engage donors, and build sustainable impact whether you’re leading a large urban mission or a smaller regional team. 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬: 🔹 How donor file size and value are evolving and what it means for your growth strategy. 🔹 Why major donor revenue is rising even as donor counts fall. 🔹 How to improve second gift conversion and retention in year two. 🔹 What’s working in new donor acquisition and reactivation today. 🔹 How to strengthen mid-level donor pipelines to fuel major giving tomorrow. 🔹 How to use benchmark data to inform your annual development plan. Come to this live session and leave with a clear picture of where donor trends are heading and practical, data-backed strategies to grow donor value and drive sustainable fundraising results. Save your spot 👇

🤖 "Automate the menial so you can focus on the meaningful." That simple idea is driving innovation at Virtuous—and it was at the heart of the conversation when Virtuous CEO Gabe Cooper joined John Mark Vanderpool on the Social Impact Solutions podcast. Gabe shared how technology is giving nonprofit leaders time back in their day to do what really matters—like having coffee with a donor or writing a personal thank-you note. From breaking down silos and improving donor experiences to applying agile principles and OKRs to accelerate impact, Gabe dives into how responsive fundraising and constant innovation are shaping the future of generosity. 💬 What’s one “menial” task you’d love to automate so you can focus more on meaningful work? #NonprofitInnovation #Generosity #ResponsiveFundraising #Virtuous #SocialImpactSolutions #Nonprofit #Fundraising

🔑 What if automation could be the key to reducing donor attrition? Donor retention is one of the biggest challenges for faith-based nonprofits today. Many organizations pour time and resources into acquiring new donors—only to see them lapse after the first gift. But it doesn’t have to be this way. 🎥 In our recent webinar, "Can Your CRM Do This? How Virtuous Helps Faith-Based Nonprofits Build Lasting Donor Relationship," we teamed up with Masterworks to explore how the right CRM—with intelligent automation—can create meaningful, ongoing donor experiences beyond the first transaction. Automating follow-ups, gratitude messages, prayer updates, and personalized impact stories ensures donors feel seen, valued, and spiritually connected to your mission. When these touchpoints happen automatically (but still feel deeply personal), and donors are far more likely to stick around. 🤝 The result? Lower attrition rates and steadier support from people who feel invested in your purpose. 💭 How is your organization using automation to strengthen donor relationships past the first gift?

If you've ever tried to optimize for recurring giving in your current system... You know the struggle. ⚠️ Limited customization ⚠️ No way to tailor the ask ⚠️ Zero control over donor experience That’s why fundraisers love RaiseDonors. In just a few clicks, you can: 🔧 Add a recurring prompt wherever it fits best 🎥 Show the impact of monthly giving with copy, images—even video 🧩 Customize giving amounts based on donor choices Watch this quick video to see how RaiseDonors makes it actually doable to grow your recurring giving program—no dev team required.

Your CRM should do more than store data. It should drive fundraising and deepen donor relationships. Join us and Andrew Olsen on April 24th to learn how it can!

The nonprofit landscape continues to shift and change...but the good news is you don't have to face it alone. We're partnering with We Are For Good for ImpactUp: Hold Fast on April 10th. This is a free virtual summit where nonprofit leaders tackle real challenges together. You'll participate in working sessions with live coaching, expert panels, and a community that understands your struggles. You'll leave with: • A tailored resilience roadmap. • Practical funding strategies. • A network of changemakers who have your back. In uncertain times, community isn't it's a luxury...it's a necessity. Register here: https://vrtuo.us/4jec0dl

What’s the easiest way to grow as a fundraiser this year—without leaving your desk? 🎙️ In this special episode of The Responsive Lab, co-hosts Carly Berna and Scott Holthaus unpack exactly that. Drawing from their own time in the fundraising trenches, they explore how nonprofit professionals can grow right where they are—by staying curious, leaning into community, and choosing growth even in the busyness. 📆 And there’s no better way to do that than the Responsive Nonprofit Summit, happening June 4-5, 2025! It’s free, fully virtual, and designed to help nonprofit professionals grow their impact—without leaving their desk. Key takeaways from the episode include: ➡️ Why fundraisers struggle to make space for innovation ➡️ Where to find real-time inspiration in your work ➡️ How to grow in your role without burning out ➡️ What to expect from the Responsive Nonprofit Summit 👉 Reserve your free spot at the Summit: https://vrtuo.us/4iUMGcF 🎥 Meanwhile, check out more episode of The Responsive Lab at: https://vrtuo.us/4iQkYNX #TheResponsiveLab #RNS #Nonprofit #Fundraising #DigitalFundraising #CRM #Innovation #FundraisingTips

What if your nonprofit stopped jumping to solutions and started asking better questions? 🤔 🎥 In this episode of Ask a Responsive Fundraiser, we’re joined by Heather Hiscox, founder of Pause for Change, who challenges the assumptions nonprofits often make when tackling problems. Heather introduces her “Pause” framework—a simple yet transformational shift in how organizations understand and respond to challenges. Here's what you'll learn in this episode: ➡️ Why most nonprofits default to assumptions and solutions too quickly ➡️ How the “Pause” method helps teams identify root causes ➡️ What questions to ask before acting ➡️ How to align responses with the real needs of the community ➡️ Why funders are ready for this shift—and how to bring them along Heather's approach is about responsiveness in the truest sense: slowing down just enough to make smarter, more human-centered decisions that lead to better outcomes. 💬 How could your team benefit from pressing pause before jumping into action? Let’s start a conversation in the comments. 👇 #ResponsiveFundraising #Fundraising #Nonprofits #SocialImpact #DonorEngagement #Virtuous #HeatherHiscox #PauseForChange