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

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

Asking...how and why...yes, it matters

For my nonprofit friends
Do we want to discover our asking styles; how best to make an ask; learn from experts?  Of course we do!  Great blog site, full of tips and info.  Check it out, you will like it.

Cheers,
DCR


http://www.askingmatters.com/

For my Nonprofit Friends: Free Webinar on Best Fundraising Trends and Practices




The grass is greener with new
fundraising tips and techniques

 The Chronicle of Philanthropy is sponsoring this free webinar in conjunction with Boston University. Just think -- no travel costs, and no limitation on staff participation -- The benefits of attending an amazing conference without the cost.

Topics:
The winning techniques from the crucial year-end giving season

• How best to attract donors at all income and age levels―and what turns them off
• Low-cost ideas that will help you get strong returns
• What tax-law debates and changes mean for donors in 2011
• How new research on donors and giving trends can help steer you to success

Just follow the link below for registration.  It's a new year -- inspire your staff with knowledge. 

Best!  DCR

https://event.on24.com/eventRegistration/EventLobbyServlet?target=registration.jsp&eventid=274517&sessionid=1&key=5BB69CB8688D02A4F3CB041876538499&partnerref=LinkedIn&sourcepage=register









Nonprofits...explore this and raise funds through a youtube video

Social Media Fundraising -
half-full or half-empty?
No question.

Hi friends,
Most of us understand this is the age of social media.  What we may not have grasped clearly is its importance for our nonprofits.  Marketing and fundraising have changed -- it is no longer just about print, newspaper, radio and television -- social media now owns a big share of the market.   

Most nonprofits have limited staff and resources.  I know it is a problem for many agencies to dedicate staff to new areas of responsibility.  But, we really can't afford not to have staff dedicated to social media -- both for visibility/community presence and fundraising.  

 Here is some excellent info from The Chronicle of Philanthropy about how a simple video can help you raise money.      http://philanthropy.com/blogs/philanthropytoday/new-youtube-site-helps-charities-attract-attention-and-revenue/30430?sid=&utm_source=&utm_medium=en

As an Amazon Associate, my blog sidebar features interesting, informative and inspiring books I recommend to nonprofits.  You can purchase directly from Amazon right here. 

Best,
DCR

Nonprofits strengthen communities -- 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

Foundation Center's Advisory Posts Giving Trends in 2011...Good read, folks.

As a savvy nonprofit -- you will want forward this article from the Foundation Center on to key staff and board members -- it is an interesting read.

Best wishes,
DCR

http://foundationcenter.org/gainknowledge/research/pdf/researchadvisory_economy_201011.pdfpdf

Strategies for the New Year



2011 is here...connect the pieces



Nonprofit Friends -- 2011 is already here.

Have you planned for this New Year in terms of strategies, identifying trends, furthering your mission, developing new programs, re-evaluating old programs, staff evaluations, management evals, Ex. Director eval, volunteer program evals, board development?

Competition for the fundraising dollar, grant monies and donor investment is getting tighter.  What does this mean to you?  Your organization needs to plan, plan and plan again.  Gone are the days when a small or mid-sized nonprofit can just "hope" things will work out next year.

Donors, corporations and foundations not only want specific information on how their investments are being used, they want to know you are a savvy organization with strategic planning in place.  They want to know you have good business principles and a plan.  Have you brought in community members and/or other organizations to help you look at the future of your organization?  Have you thought about collaboration with other nonprofits and what that might mean for your agency?  Do you have a contingency plan, or media emergency plan or disaster plan...in place and communicated agency/community wide?

There is danger in not evaluating your entire organization at least once a year -- from your message to your effectiveness.  Are you using the same, tired, old message to an audience (your community) who has heard it over and over for years?  Do you talk about your results in a way that communicates your effectiveness to everyone?  I know you say your programs are working, but do they really accomplish what your board, management, staff and investors want? How do your clients (customers) feel about what you do?  Have you asked them in an anonymous survey? Can you do more -- in a new way?

I spent ten years in the non-profit sector in staff, management and board positions.  One thing I learned is that if you allow your organization to become stagnant, stick with the status quo and continually go back to the same donors with the same message -- your organization is already in trouble.

I have added an opportunity for growth and change to my website.  I went to amazon.com and compiled a list of non-profit books that can help you dust off old thinking, inspire the entire organization and reconnect with your community.  Located about mid-way down the page on the right side is a direct link to the books (Slideshow) I have chosen on amazon.com.  You can peruse the list, find a book/books that might interest you or be pertinent for your board, volunteers or staff members.  Click on the link and purchase directly from this site.

Ask questions, inspire staff, encourage volunteers, reconnect to your community...shake off the dust...the New Year is here.

Respectfully,
DCR 

Is Your fundraising campaign stumbling?



Move your campaign into
 the light and examine it



Is your fundraising campaign faltering, stumbling, slowing down?  Here is a very good, brief, article on the Top 10 Fundraising Mistakes. It is a super little checklist and reminder -- particularly handy for this time of year.  Although all of these tips are viable, #7 and #8 resonate with me.

http://www.afpnet.org/ResourceCenter/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=4610

The article is an excerpt from independent fundraising consultant Julie Ingraham Walker's book titled Jump-Starting the Stalled Fundraising Campaign.

The link was provided by the Association of Fundraising Professionals/Resource Center.

Good luck!

DCR

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

Year-End Appeal Letter...now or never!

It's October, folks -- time to put your strategy for year-end and or holiday appeal letters in place and get them in the mail by mid-November.  A well-thought out, brief and meaningful appeal letter can help make the difference for you this year.    

You will want to put your organization's fingerprint on the letter.  What does that mean?  I like to think of it as the "fingerprints of success".  Tell donors about your achievements and success in terms of the successes of those you have helped.  A well-crafted letter will help your potential donors see (and feel) the results of your organization's commitment within your community.  You want them to understand the strength you bring to the community and make an investment decision to help your organization continue its successes. 

And remember, donor investment is all about relationships -- take care of yours!  Phone calls, tours of your organization, meetings with other "investors", all help build the relationship between you and your current or potential donors. 

Fired-Up Fundraising features a great article on how to create a request letter to get the maximum results. 
Here is a link to the article...     http://www.facebook.com/#!/notes/fired-up-fundraising/top-10-ways-to-screw-up-your-year-end-fundraising-campaign/165486260134695 

I wish you great success! 
DCR