CEO Corner Navigating Market Volatility & Q2 Takeaways The second quarter of 2025 was marked by real turbulence. Not just in the markets, but also for the philanthropic and private sectors. As we head into the second half of the year, it’s worth pausing to reflect on what happened, where we are now, and how Orr Group is responding. In this update, I’ll share a few key takeaways from the broader economic and philanthropic landscape, along with highlights from our own work and progress as a firm. Read more
Philanthropy In 2025: Trends, Opportunities, And Strategic Shifts Fundraising Published Date 2024 Philanthropy In 2025: Trends, Opportunities, And Strategic Shifts The outlook for philanthropy in 2025 is bright. Examine key factors that are driving this anticipated growth and strategies to maximize your impact in the year ahead.
The Secret Behind Great Teams: Busting Myths and Making Teams Work Talent Published Date 2025 The Secret Behind Great Teams: Busting Myths and Making Teams Work There is no “quick fix” that makes a team great. Explore key approaches for investing in team development to achieve meaningful impact and strengthen individual performance.
The Power of Integrated Fundraising: Fostering a Donor-Centric Culture Fundraising Published Date 2025 The Power of Integrated Fundraising: Fostering a Donor-Centric Culture Integrated fundraising and effective communication strategies create cohesive and engaging donor experiences. Explore key steps to build lasting relationships with your donors.
CEO Corner: Navigating Market Volatility, Realigning Priorities, and Q2 Takeaways Fundraising Published Date 2025 CEO Corner: Navigating Market Volatility, Realigning Priorities, and Q2 Takeaways Q2 of 2025 was marked with real turbulence. Let’s take a look at what happened and where that leaves philanthropy as we head into the second half of the year.
Soft Skills to Improve Productivity and Combat Turnover Talent Published Date 2025 Soft Skills to Improve Productivity and Combat Turnover Soft skills create work environments that are productive, engaging, resilient, and sustainable. Consider these actionable strategies to create a high-performing team through soft skill-building.
Major Gift Fundraising Made Simple: Your Guide to Building a High-Impact Program Fundraising Published Date 2025 Major Gift Fundraising Made Simple: Your Guide to Building a High-Impact Program We outline how to build a major gift fundraising program—from laying the groundwork to implementing effective strategies and evaluating your progress.
Market Insights Pivoting to Planned Gifts in Volatile Markets In times of economic uncertainty, donors may find themselves pulling back to safeguard their finances. Planned giving offers a smart and strategic solution, allowing donors to maintain financial stability while still creating a legacy. Here are five reasons why planned gifts are especially relevant during market volatility. Learn more
The Nonprofit AI Journey: A Roadmap for Responsible, Strategic, and Effective Implementation AI Published Date 2025 The Nonprofit AI Journey: A Roadmap for Responsible, Strategic, and Effective Implementation Orr Group developed a three-phase roadmap designed to help organizations adopt AI responsibly, strategically, and effectively. Explore our Nonprofit AI Journey to understand how your nonprofit can leverage AI.
How Nonprofits Can Use AI and Automation to Reclaim Time and Realize ROI AI Published Date 2025 How Nonprofits Can Use AI and Automation to Reclaim Time and Realize ROI When workflows are automated with AI, nonprofits can reinvest their time into more strategic and ROI-focused tasks. Explore real-life use cases of AI and automation to improve your effectiveness.
How to Drive Transformation with Strategic AI Implementation AI Published Date 2025 How to Drive Transformation with Strategic AI Implementation Learn how to strategize around effective AI implementation at your organization to responsibly address problems and create lasting results.
Beyond Easy AI Fixes: Identifying Workflow Pain Points and Implementing Long-Term Solutions AI Published Date 2025 Beyond Easy AI Fixes: Identifying Workflow Pain Points and Implementing Long-Term Solutions Even the best AI tools can’t fix a misunderstood problem. It requires identifying and addressing the true workflow pain points in a process. Explore our recommendations for implementing workflow solutions with the help of AI.
4 Practical Steps To Empower Your Team With AI AI Published Date 2024 4 Practical Steps To Empower Your Team With AI As organizations strive to empower their staff through AI tools, explore these four actionable steps to build your team’s AI skills and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
Closing The “Transparency Gap” In Nonprofit AI Usage AI Published Date 2024 Closing The “Transparency Gap” In Nonprofit AI Usage As AI adoption in the nonprofit sector grows, so does the need for greater transparency about how it’s being used. Read our three recommendations to help close the transparency gap.
Autonomous Fundraisers: Do We Need Them? AI Published Date 2024 Autonomous Fundraisers: Do We Need Them? Version2.ai’s recent launch of a fully autonomous fundraiser has generated buzz in the nonprofit space. Read our thoughts on the growing presence of AI in fundraising and how nonprofits should react.
Save The Data: Keeping Data Safe While Using AI AI Published Date 2024 Save The Data: Keeping Data Safe While Using AI Keeping data safe while using AI is not only a matter of security, but also a matter of responsibility, accountability, and trust. Explore key considerations for your nonprofit to help keep its data safe.
Why Nonprofits Must Budget For AI: Maximizing Impact & Driving Growth AI Published Date 2024 Why Nonprofits Must Budget For AI: Maximizing Impact & Driving Growth With AI’s explosive growth, nonprofits should start budgeting for and implementing AI tools now. Explore our key considerations for allocating your budget to AI.
“I Used AI On This” – How To Clear The Air On AI Usage AI Published Date 2024 “I Used AI On This” – How To Clear The Air On AI Usage We explore how organizations can take a proactive approach to disclose their AI usage in an effort to increase AI fluency and transparency among their constituents. Read more.
Successful Strategic Planning: How To Think Like A Psychologist Strategy Published Date 2024 Successful Strategic Planning: How To Think Like A Psychologist As you start framing the next strategic planning process for your nonprofit, channel your inner psychologist.
How Nonprofits Realize Their Missions By Realizing Who They Are Strategy Published Date 2023 How Nonprofits Realize Their Missions By Realizing Who They Are A realistic understanding of who you are as an organization is key to optimizing performance today and planning for tomorrow.
4 Approaches To Create Successful Strategic Plans Strategy Published Date 2022 4 Approaches To Create Successful Strategic Plans Determining the direction of the strategic planning process itself is just as important as the final plan you lay out for your organization.
Brian Gaines, Learning Undefeated | Orr Group Partner Perspectives Leadership Published Date 2025 Brian Gaines, Learning Undefeated | Orr Group Partner Perspectives Learning Undefeated’s Brian Gaines shares insights on the keys to effective leadership, strategies for nonprofit success and evolution, and the impact of our ongoing partnership. Watch the full interview.
The Impact of MacKenzie Scott’s Transformational Giving | Orr Group TALKS Fundraising Published Date 2025 The Impact of MacKenzie Scott’s Transformational Giving | Orr Group TALKS We’re joined by the Center for Effective Philanthropy to explore the the impact of MacKenzie Scott’s transformational philanthropy on nonprofits and funders.
What’s Ahead for Philanthropy: The New Administration’s Impact on the Sector | Orr Group TALKS Fundraising Published Date 2025 What’s Ahead for Philanthropy: The New Administration’s Impact on the Sector | Orr Group TALKS We’re joined by experts from The Chronicle of Philanthropy and The Nonprofit Alliance to discuss the critical issues affecting philanthropy as the new administration takes office.
Jeanine Forsythe, Carnegie Science | Orr Group Partner Perspectives Leadership Published Date 2024 Jeanine Forsythe, Carnegie Science | Orr Group Partner Perspectives Carnegie Science’s Chief Development Officer Jeanine Forsythe shares insights on fundraising today, the groundbreaking work of Carnegie Science, and the continued impact of our partnership.
Susan Lewers, Illinois Tech | Orr Group Partner Perspectives Leadership Published Date 2024 Susan Lewers, Illinois Tech | Orr Group Partner Perspectives Get to know Susan Lewers, Associate Vice President of Major & Planned Gifts at Illinois Tech, as she shares insights on the power of relationship building, the impressive growth of Illinois Tech, and the success of our partnership.
Why Accountable AI Matters and How to Get There | Orr Group TALKS AI Published Date 2024 Why Accountable AI Matters and How to Get There | Orr Group TALKS We’re joined by Matthew Reisman from CIPL to understand the importance of building accountable AI programs and ensure your AI systems are transparent, ethical, and responsible.
Ruth McFarlane, Chief Advancement Officer, Ms. Foundation for Women | Orr Group Partner Perspectives Leadership Published Date 2024 Ruth McFarlane, Chief Advancement Officer, Ms. Foundation for Women | Orr Group Partner Perspectives Learn more about Ruth’s career path, how it led her to advancing the Ms. Foundation’s work, and the impact of our continued partnership in the interview above.
Facing Into The Fundraising Talent Crisis Fundraising,Leadership,Talent Published Date 2024 Facing Into The Fundraising Talent Crisis The sector is seeing a persistent challenge in attracting and retaining fundraising talent. Dig into the root causes of this shortage and read our insights on potential solutions.
Leveraging The Power Of Community Partnership: Strategies For Shared Success Fundraising Published Date 2024 Leveraging The Power Of Community Partnership: Strategies For Shared Success We convened nonprofit leaders from the Chicago area to discuss strategies for enhancing post-secondary success in the region. Explore key insights from our conversation.
Combining Change Management & Talent To Manage Turnover In Nonprofits Talent Published Date 2023 Combining Change Management & Talent To Manage Turnover In Nonprofits Effectively managing and mitigating turnover operates at the intersection of talent and change management.
What A Bear Market Means For Philanthropy And Jobs | Orr Group TALKS Fundraising,Leadership,Talent Published Date 2022 What A Bear Market Means For Philanthropy And Jobs | Orr Group TALKS We’re joined by finance expert Carter McClelland to discuss what leaders can do to effectively plan through bear market uncertainty and economic fluctuation.
Doing The Work: Building Cultures, Teams, And Talent That Value And Advance Diversity | WEBINAR Talent Published Date 2020 Doing The Work: Building Cultures, Teams, And Talent That Value And Advance Diversity | WEBINAR We’re joined by Tamika Mason, CEO of Building for Mission and Wendi Safstrom, ED at SHRM, to explore the importance of building inclusive environments.