You are here: Home / Archives for nonprofit fundraising

13 signs that you’re an Amateur Fundraiser online

May 9, 2011 By Sandy

You’ve stuck your toe in the water to see how it feels, but you remain noncommittal. You don’t want to be left behind, but you either aren’t sure what to do or aren’t willing to invest the time (or money) to do it well. After all, everyone else is on Facebook, so you have to be there too, right?

Here are some surefire signs that you are an amateur Fundraiser online:

1. Your nonprofit doesn’t have a website. A website is a MUST for every nonprofit. Most people will check you out online before they decide to make a gift. If you don’t have a website, you don’t appear to be taking yourself seriously. Potential donors are likely to move on to someone else.

2. Your website is obviously outdated, with information about events that happened over a year ago. It’s not enough to just have a website; you MUST keep it updated and fresh. If your website is basically an online brochure, and nothing ever changes, why would anyone visit more than once? If someone visits your website and they read about your upcoming dinner in May of 2005, they may get the sense that you aren’t organized or aren’t in business anymore.

3. There is no Donate Now button on your website. Your website MUST have an easy-to-find Donate Now button to facilitate online gifts. Without it, you’re leaving money on the table.

4. Your marketing materials are all business, with no stories that connect people to your cause. People give to people. Make sure everything you send to potential donors includes something about why you do what you do and how they can help make a difference.

5. You use a Gmail or Yahoo email account (or something similar). Your email needs to have your website domain address. Otherwise, you look a little “fly-by-night.”

6. You don’t use a subject line when you send email. A blank email subject line can look like spam. Always put something, even if it’s just a word or two.

7. You have no email signature. It’s easy to set up an email signature that gives your full name, title, link to your website, physical address, and a note about your organization. Without it, you are wasting precious real estate!

8. On Facebook, you use your profile for your business. This is a big no-no. Profiles are for people. Pages are for organizations. Rumor has it that Facebook removes profiles that are set up for organizations.

9. On Twitter, you’re an egghead. When you create a Twitter account, it gives you an egg graphic until you upload a photo. An egghead is a sign that you’re a newbie and haven’t quite figured out what you’re doing.

10. Your Facebook or Twitter status hasn’t been updated in weeks. This is as bad as a website that’s out of date. It’s a sign that you haven’t quite figured out how to use social media. It’s social after all, which means you have to interact.

11. On LinkedIn, you use your first name and last initial. This is definitely noncommittal! LinkedIn is a great resource for connecting with other professionals and companies, so you have to appear professional to get the most out of this networking site.

12. For your blog, you use a Blogger blog. Integrate your blog as part of your website. Putting it somewhere else means that you’ll have to work twice as hard to help people find it. The benefit of including your blog on your website, and updating the blog regularly, is that search engines like new content and will rank you higher because you have an active site.

13. On your blog, you have only a couple of blog posts and they’re really old. If you’re going to blog, then do it. Commit to writing something at least once a week for at least 3 months. Anything less says you’re goofing around. Remember, you don’t have to write a thesis, just a few paragraphs about your organization, the cause you are serving, client stories or anything else interesting about your nonprofit will work.

Professional fundraisers are vital to the success of every nonprofit. If you recognize any of the above items at your organization, then it is time to step it up. Invest in yourself, your career and your cause. Otherwise, you are treating your job as a hobby, and that isn’t helping anyone.

If you’re going to do it, do it right. Spend the time to learn or find a volunteer to help or outsource. People are becoming smarter about online tools and they’ll spot an amateur right away. And they may not take you seriously.

Filed Under: Website/Internet Tagged With: ,

What does a Startup need to know?

August 23, 2010 By Sandy

I’ve been talking with several folks lately who are working with new nonprofits that have recently gotten started.  They are so excited and have so many questions!

They want to know how to put a good Board together and how to get Board members to have ownership of the organization.  They want to know how to spread the word about the work they are setting out to do and how to get the attention of the local media.  They want to know how to apply for grants without having served any clients yet.  They want to know how to find donors and raise money. (See what I mean about lots of questions?)

Since I seem to be attracting these startups like moths to a flame, I’m putting together a coaching program just for them to get them up and running fast.  I’m calling it the Nonprofit Startup Jumpstart.  My intention is to help them speed up their learning curve on these issues and get moving fast.  It’s packed with information and affordably priced. You can read all about it at http://www.getfullyfunded.com/nonprofit-startup-jumpstart.

So here’s my question for you, my readers:  What does a Startup need to know?  What do you wish someone had told you when you first started your organization or when you first started working in fundraising?  I’d love to hear your thoughts!  Please hit the comment link and let me know what you think.

Oh, and if you know someone who might benefit from the Nonprofit Startup Jumpstart program, please share the link.  The program starts September 1 and the deadline to sign up is September 14.

Filed Under: General Fundraising Tagged With:

4 Simple Steps to Fundraising Success!

August 15, 2010 By Sandy
Sandy teaches

Last Thursday, I had the honor of presenting at the AFP North Carolina Conference on Philanthropy in Charlotte.  My session was called “4 Simple Steps to Building Donor Relationships and Fully Funding Your Mission Using Donor-Based Fundraising.”

My intention for this breakout session was to help my students focus on building donor relationships and share my concept of getting fully funded. Here are a few notes from the session.

What does it mean to ‘Get fully funded?’ It’s a state of fundraising where you can easily raise all the money your organization needs to fulfill its mission.  Your organization has all the equipment, supplies, and staff it needs.  Fundraising is not only easy, it’s fun!

What is donor-based fundraising? It focuses on the donor and the relationship. It creates long-term sustainability for the organization and a satisfying experience for the donor.  It requires honest two-way communication.

When you follow the principles of donor-based fundraising, there are 4 simple steps to raising all the money your organization needs.

  1. Tell your story.  Keep it short and simple, and tell people why they should care about your organization.
  2. Ask for a gift. Ask multiple times during the year and use a variety of techniques.
  3. Thank the donor.  Be warm, sincere, and prompt in your gratitude.
  4. Build relationships. Get to know your donors and what peaks their interest in your organization.

I’ve used these principles and steps many times, as a Development Director and as a coach, tobring about some amazing results in fundraising. I’ve had donors thank me for giving them the chance to make a donation.  I’ve broken fundraising records.  And I’ve had an absolute ball doing it!

Stay tuned as I share more about what it means to Get Fully Funded and how you can do it, too.

Filed Under: General Fundraising, Get Fully Funded Tagged With:
« Older Posts
Newer Posts »