Finance

11 Best Small Business Insurance Companies for 2026
As noted last week, to optimize a caller’s effectiveness, prospects should be prepared for the call. They must know it’s coming, that they will be asked for a specific dollar figure, and what that figure will be. They must understand the need for their support, and they should (hopefully) be made to look forward to …
Forming an LLC is a smart move to shield your personal assets from business liabilities, but that protection only holds if you keep your finances separate. One of the first and most important steps? Opening a dedicated business bank account. The choices you make early on can have a lasting impact on your business, and …
Tennessee’s vibrant mix of urban centers like Nashville and Memphis, historic small towns, and scenic rural communities means residents need banking solutions as diverse as their lifestyles. Whether you’re a music industry professional, a college student in Knoxville, a retiree in the Smoky Mountains, or a small business owner in Chattanooga, your bank should offer …

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1. Understanding Donor Retention by Jonathan Howard In a prior post, we looked at a mailing designed to bring in new, first-time donors, a process called donor acquisition. Now lets’ talk about the other side of an effective direct mail program: keeping the donors you already have, called donor retention. I compare the interplay of …
1. April 27th was National Tell a Story Day by Jayme Sokolow What, you may ask, is the connection between National Tell a Story Day and grant proposals? A great deal, at least from my perspective. Stories are universal because we use stories to create meaning. When you cite a statistic or make an argument, …
1. Donor-Centered Planned Giving – Part I by John Elbare Planned gifts almost always result from strong donor relationships, yet many non-profits fail at this. When a donor feels a part of your charitable mission, planned giving becomes almost inevitable. But when donors feel neglected or ignored, planned giving is very difficult. Do you work …
1. Using Both Reason and Emotion in Grant Proposals – Part I: Reason by Lynn deLearie Successful grant proposals are often carefully crafted using both reason and emotion. This week I’ll address…The Use Of Reason. Grants are NOT no-strings-attached gifts. Grants are contracts between grantors, who provide the funds, and grantees, who perform the tasks …
June 18: Reason and Emotion in Grant Proposals – Part I: Reason by Lynn deLearie Successful grant proposals are often carefully crafted using both reason and emotion. On one hand, proposals must, logically, show how non-profits will use grant funds to effectively…. June 18: The U.S.-Style of Fundraising Can Work in Other Countries – Part …
1. Successful Proposals Find Common Ground with Funders by Jayme Sokolow In a recent issue of the Chronicle of Philanthropy, Daniel Pink, the author of To Sell Is Human: The Surprising Truth About Moving Others (2012), discussed what he found in his research about fundraising. His advice is refreshingly clear and straightforward. The following is …
 Who Are Your Planned Gift Prospects? – II by John Elbare, CFP The one thing we know for sure about donor behavior is that most planned gifts come from loyal donors. By “loyal” we mean those donors who reliably donate every year. They are already sold on your mission, they believe in your cause, and …