Technology Resources for Non-Profits
The Non-Profit Leadership 601 blog has a great list of technology resources for non-profits today. Read more.
Raising Money in Hard Times: What Charities are Doing Now
This week's Chronicle of Philanthropy reports on the new edition of Giving USA, released last week. They point out many similarities between the current recession and the one experienced in the mid-1970's. If that holds true, donations may not rebound until 2012. However, they give some very specific and useful suggestions on what some charities are doing now to deal with the current financial reality. Read more.
Making a Professional Impact on Your Organization
Like every other person I know who works in the fundraising field, I fell into the career. My first job was at a computer peripheral manufactuer, working on ISO 9000 implementation and Total Quality Management. After more than five years there I decided I wanted to further my education and decided to look for a job at a University where I could get a deal on tuition by working there. I responded to an advertisement in the paper for a job in the fundraising department for a School at a major University. I remember leaving the interview thinking that with as much money as this university charged per unit, why in the world did they need fundraising? This was how little I knew. For some reason, they hired me anyway and opened me up to an incredible career opportunity. Read more.
Animoto Gives Free Pro Accounts to Nonprofit Organizations
Animoto is quite possibly the easiest way to turn your photographs and music into a dynamic, DVD-quality video presentation without the need for special skills or expensive technology. They have recently launched Animoto for Causes and have invited nonprofits to apply for free all-access professional accounts. Their most recent press release gives the details. Read more. Social Networking: Is it the Pot of Gold at the End of the Internet Rainbow?
Everywhere I look there are conference sessions, webinars and white papers on harnessing the power of the Internet to raise money for nonprofit organizations. I agree that the Internet is a powerful tool that can be used to build the connection between a donor and a charity. But does it work for fundraising? Is it something that warrants the executive-level development positions that I'm starting to see advertised? I was an early adopter of the Internet as a tool for strengthening the impact of the organizations I worked for. Way before Y2K hit I had launched the equivalent of an e-newsletter and online appeal – years before specific technology would be developed for these purposes. And it was successful. Read more.
Creating Donor Loyalty
The most effective and efficient way to grow your non-profit base of support is to keep your current donors. It is estimated that it costs 10 times more to get new donors than to keep existing donors. I encourage you to think about what you are doing to inspire donor loyalty. Niels Teunis discusses this in a recent blog post about what the Obama campaign can teach non-profit organizations. His points on maintaining donor loyalty are universal and in my experience are what makes the difference between an average organization and an exceptional organization. Read more.
Wealthy Donors Want Sound Business Practices and a Connection to the Cause
Bank of America released a study in February on the giving behaviors of America’s wealthiest donors. They randomly surveyed over 20,000 households in high net-worth neighborhoods across the country, and their results represent the opinions of 700 donors with household income greater than $200,000 and/or net worth of at least $1,000,000 excluding their primary residence. You know – all those people we are always looking for on our prospect lists. Read more.
