Finance

11 Best Small Business Insurance Companies for 2026
“There are lies, damned lies, and statistics.” -– Mark Twain Here are some statistics about the CFC – Combined Federal Campaign, and some common sense observations as to why you should almost always not base your actions on numbers that reflect the entire non-profit sector. It would be like getting a weather report for the …
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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Relationships Are Key. Those three words summarize all practical and academic research about fundraising. It takes a great deal of effort, thought, capability, energy, systems, and committed people to actually develop a sustainable, growing, and effective CFC development program, but the idea that relationships are key is one that is at the root of all …
Not Exactly… There are a variety of grants available, but they’re not all the same. Sure, the basic proposal stuff will be the same: organization information, mission, history, and general agency overview, but the guts of these proposals may differ significantly. Program/Project Support Grants • The most common type of foundation grant, and funded by …
Being able to tell a convincing story is an important issue for anyone working on a government grant proposal; but, sadly, too many proposals tell no story. Proposals may contain plenty of information, but they must also incorporate a cohesive story line that unifies the narrative. What is a Powerful Story? According to Jennifer Aaker, …
When I was young, there was a rule about thank-you notes. If I got $5 from a distant aunt, I wasn’t allowed to spend it until after I had written and mailed her a thank you note. When you were young, you probably had a rule at your house that was similar. It’s a great …
That was the subject line in a recent email in which the writer asked: “We have a skilled fundraiser who wants to do an event for us. She is willing to do it for 10% of profits after expenses. She is passionate about our cause and has worked hard for us for a couple of …
Good government grant proposals tell a compelling story. To tell a compelling story you must have strong Win-Themes because they help reviewers understand why you can provide the best solution to the problem identified in the grant guidelines. When you start your proposal, first create your Win-Themes. Developing compelling win-themes for government grants proposal is …
An email raised the question as to whether “Major Gifts” should be counted in the total for the “Annual Fund.” I can’t help it. I have to say it, “I really hate the term, ‘Annual Fund.’” (See: The Annual Fund Is Obsolete.) OK, now that I’ve gotten that off my chest…. By a literal definition, …