The champagne has been poured, the last donor thank-you has been sent, and you can finally exhale after a whirlwind year-end campaign. Now what?  For many Jewish nonprofits, January is a strange in-between moment. The urgency of December has faded, but the next major push — a gala, an annual campaign, a community event — feels far away.  That’s exactly why January is the perfect time to plan .  A well-designed fundraising calendar doesn’t just organize your year — it brings r

The end of the year invites us to pause. To breathe. To look back at what we’ve built — and to imagine what comes next.  In Jewish life, we call this practice cheshbon hanefesh — a soul-accounting. We use it to take stock of what we’ve done well, where we’ve fallen short, and how we might begin again with renewed purpose.  For Jewish nonprofits, the close of the year offers a similar moment. It’s not just about closing books or sending one more email appeal. It’s about takin

For Jewish nonprofits, December can feel like both a sprint and a marathon. Donors are reflecting on the year that’s ending, considering their tax deductions, and looking for meaningful ways to give back. Your inbox fills with last-minute appeals — and your team is racing to finish the calendar year strong.  But amid the noise, December offers something rare: a moment when people are ready to give — not just money, but attention, gratitude, and heart. The challenge is to chan

5 Tips to Turn Giving Tuesday into Year-Round Fundraising Success  Every year, Jewish nonprofits pour time, energy, and creativity into #GivingTuesday  — and for good reason. It’s a global day of generosity, when inboxes are full, social feeds are buzzing, and donors are primed to give.  But while many organizations see Giving Tuesday as the culmination  of their fall fundraising, the most successful ones treat it as a beginning  — the opening note in a year-long symphony of

As we enter the fourth quarter of 2025, nonprofits enter the most critical fundraising season. It is common knowledge that November and December are often the most important months for donor giving, with 30%-40% of annual contributions arriving in the last few weeks of the year. In this crowded marketplace, organizations must rise above the noise — not only by appealing to generosity, but also by meeting donors where they are, with clarity, transparency and a deep understandi

Too often in Jewish communal life, endowment campaigns are seen as something for “later.” After we meet our annual goal. After we complete our capital campaign. After we weather this crisis or that transition.  But the truth is: later is too late.   At The Lapin Group, we believe every Jewish nonprofit — from synagogues and day schools to foundations and federations — must treat endowment not as a luxury, but as a core part of a growth focused development strategy .  Whether

Launching a capital campaign is one of the most ambitious — and transformative — endeavors a Jewish nonprofit can undertake. Whether you're expanding a building, renovating sacred spaces, or developing a new community hub, the stakes are high. The impact can be generational.  But success isn’t just about bricks and dollars. For Jewish organizations, it's also about values, people, and vision. 

For many Jewish nonprofits — especially synagogues, schools, and community institutions — the High Holidays mark the most visible and...

At a time when many Jewish organizations are navigating generational shifts, evolving donor expectations, and rising community needs, it’s not enough to simply ask for money. Fundraising must be rooted in meaning, connection, and a deep understanding of what inspires people to give—and to stay involved.  As we approach the High Holy Days and start of the new school year, whether you're preparing for your next annual campaign, exploring a capital or endowment initiative, or

Whether launching a capital campaign, expanding your endowment, or refreshing your annual campaign, one element remains essential to...

With donor demographics shifting and traditional giving patterns evolving, Jewish organizations are facing a critical moment. That’s why...

The following post originally appeared on givingusa.org and givinginstitute.org on April 14, 2025 By Avrum Lapin, President, The Lapin...

The following post appeared on ejewishphilanthropy.com on July 8, 2024 Avrum Lapin, longtime consultant for nonprofits and board member...

The following post originally appeared on ejewishphilanthropy.com on November 21, 2023 By Avrum Lapin - November 21, 2023 More than six...

The following post originally appeared on ejewishphilanthropy.com on August 14, 2023 By Avrum Lapin - August 14, 2023 In Short This...

The following post originally appeared on givingusa.org and givinginstitute.org on March 20, 2023 By: Avrum Lapin - March 20, 2023 One...

The following post originally appeared on eJewishphilanthropy.com on January 12, 2023 By: Avrum Lapin - January 12, 2023 In our world, we...

The following post originally appeared on ejewishphilanthropy.com on October 6, 2022 By: Avrum Lapin - October 6, 2022 In Short Any...

The following post originally appeared on ejewishphilanthropy.com on March 29, 2022 By Avrum Lapin THE PAST IS NO LONGER PROLOGUE In...

The following post originally appeared on givingusa.org on October 8, 2021 By Avrum Lapin and Ross Berkowitz of The Lapin Group The...