Revise Your Donor Thank You Letter...here is a sample of one that works!

It's called donor relations...and it is important!



Donors give from the heart...and from
 recognizing a very good investment.

I know, I know...your donor thank you letters go out by the hundreds...and they all say the same thing.  Why?  Your agency  may be short-staffed or your staff lack the expertise to create individual letters, group and sort the whole thing.  You are just happy to get the darn things in the mail.  It is a common problem.

If your organization isn't in the position to send out custom thank you letters, (typically by donor amount), then change it up.  The benefits will surprise you.  It really is increasingly important to build relationships with your donors.  Lots o' ways to do that -- here is just one.

Acterra, an environmental charity in California, revised their thank you letter to help reinforce donors' emotional ties to the organization.  And, they have shared it with us  -- good ideas here.  Just follow the link for the sample letter. 

Don't miss your opportunity -- adjust, revise, change, appreciate... and share the joy!

Cheers!

DCR

On-line giving -- check out Amazon's Wish List




On-line giving...it will help
your organization carry the load!

 

Hey nonprofit friends, here is a quick little tip to get you into on-line giving (and receiving donations of goods), if you aren't there already.  Take a look at this excellent and easy-read article about Amazon's Wish List.  Just follow this link and get started!

Cheers!

DCR

Millennials—the generation that became adults in the 90s and early 2000s. Do they have a voice in your organization?

Millennials -- a connected generation

As nonprofits struggle in this continuing difficult economy, thoughts naturally turn to the future. 

Ask yourself who represents the future of your agency?  Are you building and grooming tomorrow's leaders?  Are you engaging young people in your mission?  Are you educating the millennial generation about who you are and why you make a difference?  

Have you asked younger generations about their thoughts and hopes for your mission?  Here is a quick little article and a one-minute video that offers some insight.     http://philanthropy.com/blogs/prospecting/nonprofits-should-incorporate-millennials-sooner-rather-than-later/29395?sid=&utm_source=&utm_medium=en

Cheers,
DCR

Great Nonprofit Blog...tips and questions

Hello colleagues,
You will find this little blog very helpful and full of interesting info and tips.  They are self-promoting their services, for sure, but lots of good advice.
http://www.hhcpa.com/blogs/non-profit-accounting-services-blog/

Best,
DCR

Nonprofits...What is in your Online Press Room?

Yes, you can devote an area on your website specifically as a press room. The content should be on the organizational level, rather than specific program, services, locations or events.

 

Make it easy for the media
to interact with your organization

It is fairly easy to include documents used in your hard-copy press kit, and more:

• The latest news. Journalists who’ve come to expect your site to offer current information, will access your virtual press kit...if it makes its latest news accessible by topic and by date.
• Down loadable photos and graphics to accompany their stories. Authorized photos of leaders, staff, clients and several sizes of your logo in high quality resolution.  Include specific terms for use for your logo. 
• Do you have experts on your staff: Include a directory of experts, credentials, topics, availability for presentations and contact information.
• List community issues and how your organization responds to them.
• An event calendar and response timeline. Update daily or weekly.
• Guidelines on writing and reporting on your agency’s key populations. If your clients have vulnerability issues , discuss useful tips and even proper language, including photo etiquette.
• Savvy nonprofits now offer audio and/or video clips, including ads – as professionally produced as possible.
• Successes, Awards and Recognition—let others proclaim your agency’s success.
• News Feed for Automatic Receipt of Press Room Updates… Make it easy to get press releases via an RSS reader.
• Consider adding: History, Milestones, Statistics and Bios on organizational leaders with specific quotes.
• You can offer client testimonials and or photos (with the properly signed media release forms, including timelines for use)
• Consider outside support testimonials -- companies, corporations, businesses, community leaders.  Permission to use required.
• Brief Case for Support

 Critical:  Always offer contact information for your organization’s primary media contact or spokesperson.

Best wishes,
DCR
DCRdesign

Nonprofits: Develop your case for support (CFS)...

It is simple, right...everyone in your community is willing to support your nonprofit (NP) mission?  The answer, is, most likely, "Yes, it is a great cause."   Are you feeling the disconnect between mission awareness and the donations yet?

Put your best image forward

Community support for your mission is cultivated through relationship-building, visibility, credibility and community involvement -- and that is the external part!  Work takes place internally as well, i.e., mission awareness, media strategy awareness and compliance, social media program...just to name a few.

Here is a great test. Pretend you aren't in the NP sector. Decide to make a cash donation to a local non-profit.  What is it you want to know about that organization -- where does the money go; are they mission faithful; are they top-heavy with administration; how are they successful; do they have community support; how many volunteers; who is on the board; how are they funded?

Now answer these questions for your own organization and you are well on your way to building your own case for support CFS).  You want each and every staff member, board member and volunteer to have a good understanding of your mission and CFS -- and be able to communicate it.  Developing it doesn't have to be tedious, long and boring -- as a matter of fact, your CFS shouldn't be take all that long to explain -- the verbal portion -- 5 mins. A print version is another story.  Your CFS is what positions your NP for grants, fundraising, donations and planned giving and most importantly, community support.

Developing a Case For Support...some thoughts

•  Begin with your mission statement. You may want to reevaluate it. Many donors decide to give based on how your mission matches his/her values. Demonstrate how your NP addresses specific needs in the community – make it real for the donor.
• Provide statistics on the success of your programs and show long-term benefits.
• Impress a sense of urgency or “call to action” and tell them why keeping your doors open is good for the community.
• Generate excitement. Use short sentences and paragraphs. Highlight important information with bullets and in boxes. Refine, refine, refine…until the passion and commitment that everyone in your organization brings to the table, shines in every sentence.

Best wishes,
Nonprofits add strength to the community.
Diana