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Research and Tip Sheets

Research Shows Benefits of Diversity on Nonprofit Boards

Conducted by the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at IUPUI in partnership with Johnson, Grossnickle and Associates and BoardSource, the study examines the ways in which diversity is associated with board members’ engagement with the board. It also explores the relationship between a nonprofit’s characteristics—such as the age of the organization, level of revenue, and focus area (nonprofit subsector)—and the diversity of its board members, including their race, ethnicity, age, and gender. The report finds that both organizational characteristics and the diversity of the board affect levels of board engagement. 

Factors that Lead to Transformational Gifts

Million-dollar donations have the ability to transform higher education institutions. However, less than one in three degree granting higher education institutions in the U.S. received a publicly announced million-dollar donation from 2000 to 2012. Conducted by JGA and the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, this quantitative and qualitative research examines the organizational- and board-level factors that influence success in obtaining million-dollar gifts. The report identifies, among other findings, that presidential tenure, board giving, rankings, and investments in faculty and staff are indicative of organizations that receive transformational gifts.

More Nonprofit Tip Sheets & Resources

Campaign Prep: Getting Your Board, Staff, and Plan Ready

What you can do now to begin preparing for a campaign.

Feasibility Study: Your Key to a Successful Campaign

A feasibility study should help you answer these key questions.

Are You Ready to Create Your Case for Support?

A preliminary case document is a key starting point in the discussion of impact and relevance with donors.

Campaign Preparation: Engaging Board Members

Thoughtful preparation of your board is critical to your campaign’s success.

Campaign Preparation: Are You Ready For a Feasibility Study?

Sound planning is essential even before a feasibility study.

Developing Board Members as Fundraisers

Provide board members the tools they need to build passion and support for your mission.

Maximizing Strategic Planning

Take steps to ensure your planning process is effective and engages key constituents.

Development Audit: Unlock Your Potential with an External Review

Reviewing your data, systems, structures, and staffing provides a clear view of your organization’s fundraising potential

Major Gifts: Building an Effective, Systematic Program

Tips for establishing an ongoing program of major gift philanthropy.

Integrating Planned Giving into Your Development Program

A solid planned giving program is a key and necessary part of a comprehensive development initiative.

Acuity Insights: Actionable Intelligence on Your Most Passionate Donors

Unleash your donor data and focus your development efforts on your best donor prospects.

Women’s Philanthropy Insights

Women are key to strengthening and growing philanthropic investment in your organization.

Selecting Counsel:  Crafting an Effective Request for Proposals

Gathering the information you need to choose the best partner for your project calls for a clear and concise Request for Proposals (RFP).

Selecting Campaign Counsel

Key questions and considerations to guide your selection process as you search for the right consulting partner.