Nonprofit Friends...are you content fried? Tips to manage that.

A few little tips can help us reign in the chaos.

 Hey friends,

We have all been there -- too many emails, an overwhelming number of updates, keeping up with all the posts -- the beauty and pain of social media.  Beth Kantor, a nonprofit social media guru has offered up some great tips on managing it all.  Most of us know this stuff, put allow business and life to get in the way of structured social media management.  Here's the link to some great little tips...

Tips from Beth Kantor -- are you content fried?

Cheers!

DCR

Want to develop a Planned Giving Campaign? Six Essentials to Consider.

Does a Planned Giving Program fit?

 

 The nonprofit sector is well aware of the tight economy and need for sustainable funding.  Many small-midsized nonprofit boards and management have given thought (often) to developing a long-term Planned Giving Program.  Here are a few ideas to consider when you are having a serious discussion -- from Tony Martignetti, Martignetti Planned Giving Advisors.

Six Essentials - Planned Giving Campaign

Cheers!

DCR

Are you really encouraging open communication?



Active, open, honest and SAFE communication
may be the key to process improvement and the
difference between success and failure.



The successful working environment these days encourages a fairly open dialogue between management and employees.  Process improvement often depends on honest engagement without fear of reprisal... by either parties. 

This interesting blog by Ron Ashkenas, managing partner for Schaffer Consulting, for HBR Blog Network, offers some great insights on views and strategies from both sides of the responsibility table.  Just click on the link below to read the short article.  It just takes a few minutes and offers some very useful ideas you might want to put into practice. 

Are you really encouraging communication?

Quite a good read.

Cheers!

DCR

Take a look at your funding model. Is it time for a strategy change?

Time to think outside the box

Sustainability continues to be the key question for nonprofits in this continuing economy.  Consultants to the nonprofit sector have realized their service strategies must adapt to new industry needs. This is particularly pertinent during np leadership transition or mergers and acquisitions.  It can be a scary time, but it also offers the opportunity for focused change...leading to a stronger sustainability foundation.

The link article, by Jeanne Bell, CEO of CompassPoint Nonprofit Services via The Chronicle of Philanthropy, offers good food for thought for consultants and nonprofit leadership.

Revisiting strategy in tough economic times

I provide nonprofit consulting services and would be pleased to discuss ideas with your group, organization and board.

Cheers!

DCR

Examples of Social Media Policies -- protect your organization & employees.

Set up your social media policy
before an incident occurs

Social media is mainstream communication today and most businesses realize it. 

The same approach can't be said for many small-to-mid-size nonprofit organizations.  A social media policy will clearly define the organization's guidelines for knowledgeable public internet interaction and protect the privacy, confidentiality and interests of your organization, including employees, partners, donors, etc.
 

A social media policy will help your employees make appropriate decisions about work-related blogging and content on their personal websites and other interactive social media sites -- FB, LinkedIn, Twitter, Google+, etc.

Take a look at these examples and you might just find a policy that fits -- and... like socialmediatoday recommends -- run it by legal counsel prior to implementation.

Link to examples of social media policies

Cheers!

DCR

Bank of Amercia Foundation wants to give unrestricted grant dollars

Ah, the green, green grass
of general operating dollars!

This is pretty refreshing -- Bank of America Foundation puts their emphasis on providing unrestricted grant dollars and they fund for general operating.  That doesn't come around too often, friends...so grab the link and get all the info.  Article courtesy The Chronicle of Philanthropy.

Link to article

Cheers!
DCR

A simple and brief thank you letter to donors...

A brief testimonial thank you message
connects your program recipients to your donors

Adding testimonial quotes is a terrific approach to your organization's thank you letter.  Donors want to know their dollars make a difference -- they want to know your mission and cause benefit the recipients. And often, they would love to know, why.  So, I say, let them know!  A brief, sincere thank you letter, with several quotes from real clients/recipients of your service/program, will help your donors understand why their investment is money well-given. 

Link to sample thank you letter.

Small and niche for-profit business can benefit from this idea as well.  When was the last time you received a thank you note for a purchase?  Plus, it is a way to engage customers.

Cheers!

DCR