Resources

Tools, tips and information for nonprofits

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Pathway to Resilient Teams: An Adaptive Leader’s Toolkit for Supporting Teams through Change

Adaptive leaders know that organizational success starts with strong, motivated teams. In this blog, Alford Group’s Alexis Cook shares five essential characteristics of high-performing teams—trust, communication, clarity, engagement, and shared goals—and how leaders can strengthen each one. Explore practical frameworks like RACI, DACI, and the Adaptive Leaders Toolkit to help your team embrace change, build resilience, and move forward with confidence.

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Myth-Busting Planned Giving

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Case Study: Connecticut Humane Society

The Connecticut Humane Society (CHS), the state’s oldest and most comprehensive animal welfare organization, set out to build a new Pet Resource and Adoption Center that would meet the growing needs of pets and their families. Partnering with Alford Group, CHS strengthened donor relationships, empowered volunteer leaders, and built internal fundraising capacity. The result: more than $15.3 million raised—surpassing their goal—and a state-of-the-art facility now serving communities across Connecticut.

Case StudyEnvironment, Conservation & AnimalsCampaignsFeasibility StudyDonor EngagementLeadershipStrategic Planning

Strategic Planning During Uncertain Times: From Panic to Possibility

"Nonprofit leaders can no longer rely on static, three-to-five-year plans. Adaptive planning—built on modular strategy, scenario planning, and financial resilience—helps organizations stay steady in uncertainty, responsive to change, and transparent with donors."

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From Scrambling to Soaring: A Four Step Plan to Elevate Your Grant Strategy for Long-Term Growth

Are you winging it with grant applications — juggling deadlines, unclear roles, and missed opportunities? A strategic, well-structured approach to grant writing can help your organization build stronger funder relationships, streamline processes, and secure more stable funding. In this post, we share practical steps to establish team alignment, identify funders, strengthen connections, and plan ahead so you can move from scrambling to soaring with your grants strategy.

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Three Generations of “Bill” and the Lowry Family Philanthropic Legacy

Alford Group’s President and CEO sits down with three generations of the Lowry family, Big Bill, Commissioner Bill and Bill Jr., to share their family's incredible legacy of giving. 

BlogDiversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)Leadership

Moves Management Program Quiz & Guide

Alford Group’s Moves Management Program Quiz Guide provides best practice informed actionable steps your team can take to strengthen your moves management program. This guide is based on your responses per core functional area: Strategy, Structure, Systems, Story, Style, Staff and Skills.  

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Is your Fundraising On Track? Take Our Moves Management Quiz and Find Out!

A strong moves management approach streamlines and aligns development efforts, increasing work efficiencies, maximizing staff time and centralizing relationship building activity to elevate transformational impact over transactional giving. Take our free quiz today to find out the strength of your development team’s moves management program.

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