Sapphire Speaks Blog

Do You Want To Learn To Be A Better Fundraiser?

Check out the blog posts to learn clear, practical fundraising tips for the established nonprofit professional who is ready to strengthen their donor relationships and make confident decisions about what comes next.

Click the sign up button to receive them directly in your inbox, and as a special bonus, you’ll receive a simple, ready-to-use Donor Stewardship Calendar to help you engage six key donor segments - so that you can increase your donor retention.

Susan Kahan 8/18/26 Susan Kahan 8/18/26

The Art and Science of Major Gifts

Major gifts aren't just about identifying people with the capacity to give. The strongest major giving programs combine data-driven strategy with genuine donor relationships, helping nonprofit teams understand where to focus, ask better questions, and build the confidence to navigate the uncertainty of fundraising.

Susan Kahan 6/25/26 Susan Kahan 6/25/26

How to Build a Legacy Giving Program for Your Jewish Nonprofit

Your donors care deeply about your mission – and they want it to thrive long after they’re gone. Learn how to build a legacy giving program that honors that commitment and ensures your Jewish nonprofit thrives for generations to come.

Susan Kahan 4/23/26 Susan Kahan 4/23/26

Interest Doesn’t Equal Intent

Even with total support from the board on your strategic plan, that doesn’t imply gifts will just come. Because here’s the thing, excitement doesn’t equal funding. And you need funding.

Susan Kahan 3/20/26 Susan Kahan 3/20/26

The Succession Plan Most Nonprofits Forget

Nonprofit leaders everywhere are planning for succession right now as the generations are changing.

Who will be the next board chair?

Who will step into the CEO role?

But what is often forgotten about?

Susan Kahan 3/20/26 Susan Kahan 3/20/26

From Blood to Boils: 10 Passover-Inspired Lessons for Smarter Nonprofit Fundraising

What if the 10 plagues of Passover were actually a fundraising masterclass?

The story of Passover is dramatic. Pharaoh ignored the 10 warning signs = plagues.

Is your nonprofit doing the same?

Susan Kahan 3/3/26 Susan Kahan 3/3/26

Are You Still Standing on the Social Distancing Sticker?

Have you ever thought about how the still-present social distancing stickers are a symbol for your nonprofit’s lack of forward movement and outdated systems?

Susan Kahan 1/20/26 Susan Kahan 1/20/26

Not Every Nonprofit Should Exist Forever…And That’s a Fundraising Question

While there has been extraordinary growth in the nonprofit sector, what worked before to make a nonprofit sustainable (and hopefully thrive) may no longer be a successful strategy.

In fact, not every nonprofit is going to be around forever. And frankly, that shouldn’t even be the goal.