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Steier Tips

After nearly a quarter century of helping nonprofits plan, reach and exceed their fundraising goals, we’ve accomplished a lot – and learned a thing or two. Our Steier Tips page features the latest Steier Group fundraising advice from our team of experts, case studies and helpful insight to consider as you plan your next campaign.

The Big Ask: Five ways to prepare donors for a large request amount

By Steier Tips
At the Steier Group, we define a capital campaign as an extraordinary fundraising initiative that requires giving beyond a donor’s annual support. Capital campaigns require large gift requests, requests that can sometimes elicit a collective gulp on both sides of the table. However, there are ways to lay the groundwork for a big ask that make it a rewarding experience for all. Well before a capital campaign begins, it’s important for organizations to find ways to engage non-donors and encourage regular donors to increase their giving. Consistent donors and those whose giving has steadily increased are demonstrating their loyalty to…
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Building Up the Church with Robert Kloska

By podcast, Steier Tips
The Steier Group is proud to present our podcast, Twelve Wicker Baskets with Christopher Beaudet. Subscribe now on your favorite podcast app. In the Gospel, Jesus fed 5,000 with only five loaves and two fish. After the crowd was satisfied, there were 12 wicker baskets left over. God provides the abundance. In each episode of this podcast, we will explore, with pastoral leaders and development professionals, all the many ways God meets the spiritual and temporal needs of our parish communities, our Catholic schools and the diocesan church. And not only meets those needs but provides in abundance. The 29th…
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Getting Your Diocese Ready for a Campaign with Michael Hoffman

By podcast, Steier Tips
The Steier Group is proud to present our podcast, Twelve Wicker Baskets with Christopher Beaudet. Subscribe now on your favorite podcast app. In the Gospel, Jesus fed 5,000 with only five loaves and two fish. After the crowd was satisfied, there were 12 wicker baskets left over. God provides the abundance. In each episode of this podcast, we will explore, with pastoral leaders and development professionals, all the many ways God meets the spiritual and temporal needs of our parish communities, our Catholic schools and the diocesan church. And not only meets those needs but provides in abundance. The 28th…
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Growing Your Parish Financially and Spiritually with Tom Corcoran

By podcast, Steier Tips
The Steier Group is proud to present our podcast, Twelve Wicker Baskets with Christopher Beaudet. Subscribe now on your favorite podcast app. In the Gospel, Jesus fed 5,000 with only five loaves and two fish. After the crowd was satisfied, there were 12 wicker baskets left over. God provides the abundance. In each episode of this podcast, we will explore, with pastoral leaders and development professionals, all the many ways God meets the spiritual and temporal needs of our parish communities, our Catholic schools and the diocesan church. And not only meets those needs but provides in abundance. The 27th…
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Creative campaign approach engaged all aspects of St. Mary community

By Steier Tips
Fr. Joseph Walsh’s invitation for the Steier Group to partner with St. Mary Catholic Church on its capital campaign came with a challenge and a request. Weekend Masses at the parish, situated in downtown Lincoln, Nebraska, and near the state capitol, often draw more visitors than parishioners. Could the Steier Group create an approach to encourage these visitors to support a campaign for long overdue repairs and renovations? And the request: Would the Steier Group allow the Blessed Mother to be front and center in the campaign? The Steier Group’s response: Yes to the challenge and a wholehearted yes to…
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The Challenges & Opportunities of Young Catholic Professionals with Jennifer Baugh

By podcast, Steier Tips
The Steier Group is proud to present our podcast, Twelve Wicker Baskets with Christopher Beaudet. Subscribe now on your favorite podcast app. In the Gospel, Jesus fed 5,000 with only five loaves and two fish. After the crowd was satisfied, there were 12 wicker baskets left over. God provides the abundance. In each episode of this podcast, we will explore, with pastoral leaders and development professionals, all the many ways God meets the spiritual and temporal needs of our parish communities, our Catholic schools and the diocesan church. And not only meets those needs but provides in abundance. The 26th…
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Mission and Money: Ensuring Morally Responsible Investments with Sarah Newman

By podcast, Steier Tips
The Steier Group is proud to present our podcast, Twelve Wicker Baskets with Christopher Beaudet. Subscribe now on your favorite podcast app. In the Gospel, Jesus fed 5,000 with only five loaves and two fish. After the crowd was satisfied, there were 12 wicker baskets left over. God provides the abundance. In each episode of this podcast, we will explore, with pastoral leaders and development professionals, all the many ways God meets the spiritual and temporal needs of our parish communities, our Catholic schools and the diocesan church. And not only meets those needs but provides in abundance. The 25th…
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Lessons learned from raising $3 billion

By Steier Tips
 Watch the video above for a short message from our CEO, Matt Vuorela. When Jim Steier founded the Steier Group in the attic of the Steier family home in 1997, the idea of helping nonprofits raise $3 billion seemed unfathomable. And yet, in early 2024, the Steier Group surpassed the $3 billion milestone. This achievement is a testament to the hard-working campaign managers, management team and support staff of the Steier Group, but, more importantly, to our incredible partners. From pastors and bishops to donors and volunteers, each campaign would not be a success without the work of communities…
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Saint Katharine Drexel

By Steier Tips
Saint Katharine Drexel, canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2000, was only the second U.S.-born citizen to be named a saint in the Catholic Church. Author/speaker Meg Hunter-Kilmer joined Twelve Wicker Baskets to discuss the life of saints, including Drexel. Born to a wealthy family in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on November 28, 1858, Drexel entered religious life at the age of 31 with a missionary heart particularly passionate to serve indigenous people and people of color. She established a religious order and schools throughout the entire United States, like Steier Group partner, St. Augustine Indian Mission School, founded by Drexel in…
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Communicating the Faith in a Compelling Way with Lino Rulli

By podcast, Steier Tips
The Steier Group is proud to present our podcast, Twelve Wicker Baskets with Christopher Beaudet. Subscribe now on your favorite podcast app. In the Gospel, Jesus fed 5,000 with only five loaves and two fish. After the crowd was satisfied, there were 12 wicker baskets left over. God provides the abundance. In each episode of this podcast, we will explore, with pastoral leaders and development professionals, all the many ways God meets the spiritual and temporal needs of our parish communities, our Catholic schools and the diocesan church. And not only meets those needs but provides in abundance. The 24th…
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