Introducing our new brand and website. In the landscape of fundraising, Contour Strategies is the “guide”. Every path, terrain, and journey may be a bit different, but Contour Strategies helps you navigate this ever-changing landscape and ultimately helps you reach your destination

You own your story and grantors want to hear it. It is not uncommon for foundations to pivot alongside nonprofit organizations as funding priorities are shifted to address the current needs in our country; showing a growing responsibility to social injustice and racial inequality for one. It’s important for your organization to stay in touch with your foundation funders and be able to tell your story in a way that keeps their attention and ultimately their support.

Prioritize tasks that will help you arrive at your destination.

Relationship-building is difficult work when you’re stuck on the hamster wheel of transactional donor engagement practices. We run fast and furious with great effort and exertion without ever changing our scenery. We find ourselves exhausted and simultaneously flabbergasted that we’re still in the exact same location as when we began our fundraising sprint.

And we have encouraging news. Over the past month, our team has interviewed donors from across the country to hear their perspective on the future of philanthropy in the midst of the worldwide pandemic.

Traditionally, major gift fundraising has been difficult during the summer months. From July through August donors tend to vacation, engage in more quality time with family, cut back on formal meetings, and in general don’t respond as promptly to requests for face time.

Lou Bruggman, lead strategist for Contour Strategies captures insight and advice from an interview with Bill Hautt, executive advisor to the Contour Strategies team.