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What smart nonprofits are doing right now

August 6, 2010 By Sandy

I’m seeing signs of the economy improving.  Are you seeing them?  Restaurants and shopping malls are packed and I’m hearing positive news from trusted sources.

My clients are seeing more and bigger donations coming in (yay!).  I firmly believe that fundraising is going to get easier a little bit at a time over the next several months.  I don’t know if it will go back to where it was, but I don’t plan to spend any time worrying about that.  I’d rather focus my attention on what needs to be done now to set ourselves up for success both now and in the future.

Here are some things that smart nonprofit organizations are doing right now to prepare for success:

  • Deepening donor relationships. Smart nonprofits are investing time into their donors.  They’re spending more time getting to know their donors.  They know that this is the best use of their time, because loyal donors will stick around for years to come.
  • Showing their appreciation. Smart nonprofits are spending more time than ever before thanking and acknowledging their donors.  They’re making thank-you calls and sending handwritten thank-you notes. Some are getting their Board members involved in this!  They’re making sure that the donor knows how much they appreciate their support.
  • Honing their Case for Support. Smart nonprofits are getting very clear about their reason for existence.  They have concise, razor-sharp answers for the questions about why someone should give to them.
  • Strengthening their Board. Smart nonprofits are spending time to make sure their Board members understand their roles and responsibilities for leading the organization, and have the resources they need to do their job.  They’re helping their Board members find ways to comfortably participate in fundraising.  Instead of sitting back and expecting their Boards to know what to do, smart nonprofit staff are educating and supporting their Boards.

What is your nonprofit doing right now that’s smart?  I’d love to hear!  Click on the comment link and share.

Filed Under: Board of Directors, General Fundraising Tagged With:

Ideas for newsletter content that donors will love

July 25, 2010 By Sandy

Let’s face it: most nonprofit newsletters are boring.  They’re full of jargon and insider news that leave donors feeling less than connected.  To make your donors read your newsletter from start to finish, it must include info that donors find interesting.

Put yourself in your donor’s shoes:  what would they care about?  What would make them take time from their busy life to pay attention to what you’ve put in print?  Here are some ideas for things you can write about that will keep your donors engaged.

  • Client story. Tell a story about someone whose life has been changed by your organization.  Keep it short and focused on the person – not your organization.  Use a good photo or two and your donor won’t be able to stop reading.
  • A Day in the Life. Share what a typical day looks like for one of your clients. This will help donors better understand the work you are doing and help them identify with the people you are serving.
  • Common myths. What are the common myths about your cause?  Dispell them by stating them and then giving the real information.
  • Testimonials. Let others do the talking for you.  Share a brief testimonial from a client, a donor, a volunteer, or a local celebrity about your organization.
  • Statistics. Share a couple of shocking statistics about your cause or the work your organization is doing.  Don’t go overboard here – one or two good facts with a tidbit of supporting info is all you need.

What have you included in your newsletter that got people talking?  Share with us so we can all benefit.

Filed Under: Newsletter Tagged With: ,

Notes from a Board retreat

July 22, 2010 By Sandy
apartfromcrowd

I had the pleasure of spending time with the Board and staff of Prescott Area Habitat for Humanity in Prescott, Arizona last weekend.  Habitat is one of my favorite organizations and this group is full of heart and passion for the people they serve.

Here are a few highlights from the information I shared with them.

Passion is key. A nonprofit will best be able to serve people and fulfill its mission when the Board, staff, and volunteers are all passionate about the cause.  Our first activity of the day helped reconnect everyone with their love for the organization.

Mission takes money. In order to fulfill your mission, you must have money.  Unfortunately, many Board members are intimidated or downright scared to get involved in fundraising.  When Board members understand that there are lots of ways they can participate in fundraising without actually asking someone for a gift, they start to relax.  Once they understand how fundraising works, they can find a spot where they feel comfortable participating.

When we got to this activity on Saturday and every Board member identified and committed to their comfort zone, I was so happy for the organization I could have popped!  Some wanted to help solicit, others wanted to help thank donors, others wanted to help build relationships.  It was awesome!

People give for a variety of reasons. Part of my Fundraising 101 for Board members helps them understand the myriad of reasons why people give.  We dispelled the myth that people give for the tax benefit alone.

And the main theme for the day:  Good fundraising is based on relationships. Our donors are our partners in serving people.  The better we engage them, the more we develop relationships, which builds loyalty and keeps them involved for the long haul.

christine and sandy reesThanks to Christine Wallace, Development Director for inviting me to spend time with Prescott Area Habitat!





Filed Under: Board of Directors Tagged With: , ,
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