Deborah Walker and Miranda Harvey from the Planned Giving office at the University of Victoria discuss the benefits of reading obits:

http://www.charityinfo.ca/articles/strange-stewardship-why-we-read-obituaries

CoolData's Kevin MacDonell talks about the use of database snapshots in predictive modelling. 

https://cooldata.wordpress.com/2015/06/28/data-mining-in-the-archives/

In this blog post Jen Filla suggests we can stay relevant with not just the analysis of data, but by synthesizing data into actionable intelligence. 

http://www.jenniferfilla.com/how-to-keep-from-being-automated-out-of-a-job/

The Giving USA 2015 reports a 7.1 percent increase in giving from 2013 to 2014, which nearly all charitable sectors returned to pre-recession levels. 

http://www.thenonprofittimes.com/news-articles/donors-splurge-giving-hits-358-3-billion/

Ben Rymer of (Fund)Raising Voices interviews Helen Brown, who looks at how prospect researchers can remain relevant, ways we can move to the higher levels of our organizations, and how technology has changed the industry.

https://fundraisingvoices.wordpress.com/2015/06/22/helen-brown-interview-we-need-to-stay-relevant-the-computers-wont-get-any-less-smart/

Napster co-founder Sean Parker opines on how today's wealthy young  elite can transform the world of philanthropy. 

http://www.wsj.com/articles/sean-parker-philanthropy-for-hackers-1435345787

Five Takeaways from the Capgemini and RBC Wealth Management 2015 World Wealth Report

http://www.helenbrowngroup.com/the-2015-world-wealth-report-5-essential-takeaways/

By refocusing performance metrics on purposeful donor engagement, Northwestern University saw a 211% increase the number of major gifts raised and a 595% increase in dollars raised between 2012 and 2014. 

http://www.advancementresources.org/Blog/Industry-Insight/66/An-Entirely-New-Approach-to-Performance-Metrics.aspx

More wedding couples are putting up their own money and making donations in honor of their guests.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/21/fashion/weddings/heartfelt-donations-replace-wedding-party-favors.html

This article by Sandra Larkin posits that donors feel recognized, understood and valued.when the stories you tell reflect their understanding of the world,

http://fundraisingcompass.com/2015/06/17/know-your-audience-storytelling-through-the-generations