--- title: AmPhil Insights and Practicalities | Matthew Gerken description: AmPhil Insights and Updates for nonprofit fundraisers image: https://info.amphil.com/hubfs/Woman%20job%20interview%20sized%20for%20TS%20CS%20blog%20post%2016x8.jpg --- [![AmPhil Logo](https://info.amphil.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/AmPhilizedTrendBiz/images/amphil-logo.png)](https://amphil.com) - [Services](https://amphil.com/services) - [Strategic Planning](https://amphil.com/services/strategic-development-planning/) - [Major Gifts](https://amphil.com/services/majorgifts-accelerator/) - [Direct Mail](https://amphil.com/services/direct-response/) - [Digital Fundraising](https://amphil.com/services/direct-response/) - [Capital Campaigns](https://amphil.com/services/capital-campaigns/) - [Data & Tech Support](https://amphil.com/services/data-technology/) - [Creative Studio](https://amphil.com/services/creative-studio/) - [Talent & Recruiting](https://amphil.com/services/talent-solutions/) - [Donor Advisory](https://amphil.com/services/donoradvisory-services/) - [Planned Giving](https://amphil.com/services/planned-giving/) - [Sectors](https://amphil.com/sectors) - [Faith](https://amphil.com/sectors/faith/) - [Education](https://amphil.com/sectors/education/) - [Policy & Advocacy](https://amphil.com/sectors/policy-advocacy-ideas/) - [Human Services](https://amphil.com/sectors/health-and-human-services/) - [Arts & Culture](https://amphil.com/sectors/arts-culture/) - [Careers](https://amphil.com/careers) - [Events](https://amphil.com/events) - [Master Class](https://centerforcivilsociety.org/master-classes/) - [Conference](https://conference.centerforcivilsociety.com/2024) - [Scotch Talks](https://amphil.com/events/category/scotch-talks/) - [About](https://amphil.com/about-us/) - [About Us](https://amphil.com/about-us/) - [Leadership](https://amphil.com/leadership/) - [Philosophy](https://amphil.com/our-philosophy/) - [Blog](https://info.amphil.com/blog) - [Contact](https://amphil.com/contact-us/) - [Subscribe](https://amphil.com/subscribe/) - [Contact Us](https://amphil.com/contact-us/) ![Is Your Direct Mail Vendor Actually Working for You?](https://info.amphil.com/hubfs/AdobeStock_215703713.jpg) ## [Is Your Direct Mail Vendor Actually Working for You?](https://info.amphil.com/blog/is-your-direct-mail-vendor-actually-working-for-you) [If you've been working with the same direct mail vendor for a while, you might have a nagging feeling that something is off. Maybe the campaigns are fine: not terrible, but not exciting either. Or...](https://info.amphil.com/blog/is-your-direct-mail-vendor-actually-working-for-you) --- [![Cardboard robot writing in journal at desk representing AI tools in nonprofit fundraising](https://info.amphil.com/hubfs/Social%20Visuals%20(1140%20x%20570%20px)-2.png)](https://info.amphil.com/blog/the-hidden-cost-of-ai-in-fundraising-and-how-to-use-it-better) ## [The Hidden Cost of AI in Fundraising (And How to Use it Better)](https://info.amphil.com/blog/the-hidden-cost-of-ai-in-fundraising-and-how-to-use-it-better) [As a fundraiser you know that time is money. You know that *money* is money, too. So you see that AI...](https://info.amphil.com/blog/the-hidden-cost-of-ai-in-fundraising-and-how-to-use-it-better) [![Fundraising and building relationships with donors visual of three people laughing and drinking coffee](https://info.amphil.com/hubfs/ljh.jpg)](https://info.amphil.com/blog/4-easy-ways-to-establish-better-relationships-with-your-donors) ## [4 Easy Ways to Establish Better Relationships With Your Donors](https://info.amphil.com/blog/4-easy-ways-to-establish-better-relationships-with-your-donors) [By establishing personal relationships with your donors, you establish a solid foundation for a...](https://info.amphil.com/blog/4-easy-ways-to-establish-better-relationships-with-your-donors) [![foundation best practices illustrated by stacked paperwork and applications](https://info.amphil.com/hubfs/paperowkr%20stacked%20matt%20gerken%20foundation%20post.jpg)](https://info.amphil.com/blog/4-ways-foundations-make-bad-decisions) ## [4 Ways Foundations Make Bad Decisions (and How to Fix Them)](https://info.amphil.com/blog/4-ways-foundations-make-bad-decisions) [If you work for a foundation, you probably don’t get much negative feedback. As a neutral party,...](https://info.amphil.com/blog/4-ways-foundations-make-bad-decisions) [![Nonprofit development strategy utilizing a survey sent to a donor on their phone](https://info.amphil.com/hubfs/AdobeStock_114410079.jpg)](https://info.amphil.com/blog/how-to-use-donor-surveys) ## [How to Use Donor Surveys as Part of Your Development Strategy](https://info.amphil.com/blog/how-to-use-donor-surveys) [A lot of people hate taking surveys. I know because I am one of them. We’re bombarded with them:...](https://info.amphil.com/blog/how-to-use-donor-surveys) [![How to identify probable major donor visual of a man standing next to a car and plane](https://info.amphil.com/hubfs/t.jpg)](https://info.amphil.com/blog/how-to-identify-probable-major-givers) ## [How to Identify Probable Major Donors](https://info.amphil.com/blog/how-to-identify-probable-major-givers) [New fundraisers looking for donor upgrades are all too likely to fall into a common trap: believing...](https://info.amphil.com/blog/how-to-identify-probable-major-givers) [![How to avoid shady direct mail firms illustrated by a line of mailboxes ](https://info.amphil.com/hubfs/jkjkjkjkjkjkjkj.jpg)](https://info.amphil.com/blog/beware-of-shady-direct-mail-firms) ## [Beware of Shady Direct Mail Firms: 5 Red Flags to Look For](https://info.amphil.com/blog/beware-of-shady-direct-mail-firms) [Nobody likes shopping for a new car, at least at a traditional dealership. From the slick salesman...](https://info.amphil.com/blog/beware-of-shady-direct-mail-firms) [![Why donors stop giving to nonprofits illustrated by a man being stood up by his date](https://info.amphil.com/hubfs/h.jpg)](https://info.amphil.com/blog/why-your-donors-stop-giving) ## [Why Your Donors Stop Giving](https://info.amphil.com/blog/why-your-donors-stop-giving) [Every new year, you, along with all nonprofit fundraisers, probably pause to wonder about your...](https://info.amphil.com/blog/why-your-donors-stop-giving) ### Interested in our services? As a leading provider of integrated professional services, AmPhil strengthens civil society by helping **mission-driven** enterprises flourish [BOOK A FREE CONSULTATION](https://amphil.com/contact-us/) [![](https://info.amphil.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/AmPhilizedTrendBiz/images/amphil-a.png)](https://americanphilanthropic.com) GET IN TOUCH 302.635.7354 [info@americanphilanthropic.com](mailto:info@americanphilanthropic.com) 119 N. 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