WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO
Because fundraising isn’t an ask. It’s an invitation.
We believe in the power of generosity to change the world.
When people, donors, and fundraisers see themselves in a mission, giving becomes more than a transaction. It becomes an act of belonging and meaning.
That’s why Next River Fundraising Strategies helps nonprofits design annual fund and individual giving strategies that connect people to purpose so generosity flows naturally, sustainably, and meaningfully.
HOW WE DO IT
Fundraising works best when three essentials work together.
When strategy, systems, and story align, that’s when Fundraising Flow happens — the clarity and confidence that make fundraising feel human again.
WHO WE ARE
T. Clay Buck, CFRE, founded Next River Fundraising Strategies with a simple conviction. Fundraisers deserve the same level of expert guidance and support that they work so hard to provide their donors.
After decades as a frontline fundraiser, Clay saw too many professionals struggling without access to practical help, especially in annual fund and individual giving. Nonprofit consulting often felt out of reach for small and mid-sized organizations, and the advice that was available rarely addressed the day-to-day realities of running a program.
Next River was created to change that.
Because fundraising can be easier, clearer, and far less stressful when strategy, systems, and story work in harmony and when fundraisers have a trusted partner walking beside them.
“Generosity isn’t just giving; it’s the moment we meet each other in significance.”
EXPERIENCE AND
RESEARCH
Our counsel is grounded in more than 35 years of fundraising practice and ongoing research into the metrics and performance data that shape our field.
Every fundraising strategy, training, and recommendation is built from real-world results, not trends or guesswork.
We believe in transparency, integrity, and the power of generosity when guided by evidence and purpose.
OUR VALUES
These are the principles that guide our work.
EXPERIENCE
Grounded in decades of real fundraising and continuous research, we turn proven principles into practical tools.
RELATIONALITY
Fundraising is about connection, not transaction. Generosity flows through relationships.
LEARNING
Every campaign and conversation teaches something new. We stay students of our craft.
RELATIONALITY
The work matters because people matter. Fundraising is how we
make that visible.
CURIOSITY
We ask better questions before offering easy answers. Curiosity drives insight.
HUMOR
We take generosity seriously, but never ourselves. A good laugh keeps perspective intact.
WHY THE NAME NEXT RIVER
The name comes from a line in Alberto Ríos’s poem When Giving Is All We Have.
It reminds us that generosity is not a single act. It’s the current that connects us, carrying what we give forward.
“One river gives its journey to the next.
 We give because someone gave to us.
 We give because nobody gave to us.
 We give because giving has changed us.”

— Alberto Ríos
At Next River, we believe that is what fundraising truly is — the work of helping generosity find its next river.