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

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

Now this is different -- fellow nonprofit grantwriters -- an interesting read!

From the Nonprofit Quarterly
http://www.nonprofitquarterly.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8501:a-strategic-nonprofit-reorganization-plan&catid=154:current-issue&Itemid=341

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

New DCR art website launched

Hello, it has been awhile.  I am happy to say my new art website, http://www.dcrdesign.us/, has launched.  The site features my greeting cards and art -- a dream and goal accomplished!  Many thanks to Rice Agency for their beautiful and thoughtful web design.  Please take a look at my new site and feel free to comment on this site -- I would love to hear from you.  Thank you for your patience -- I will return posting at this site with tips on nonprofit fundraising and marketing ideas.  Here's to you!  Diana

Five Moneymakers in Nonprofit Fundraising

With this blog, DCRinsights, I am able to share my knowledge about fundraising, marketing, grant writing, strategic planning, organizational development and merger, leadership and governance in the nonprofit sector.  My background includes 10 years as senior executive management for two human services organizations, providing services to over 25,000 homeless and domestic violence victims annually. 

I am in the process of developing this site as a vehicle to help nonprofit organizations increase their sustainability, donations, community position and media visibility.  My company, DCR Design, a division of Rice Agency, features a department with a profit and non-profit business consulting focus.  I am looking forward to sharing my insights with members of nonprofit organizations.

Diana Campbell Rice

Upcoming Topics

• How are nonprofits funded?
• Develop a Direct Mail Campaign
• Develop Your Case for Support
• Develop a Membership Campaign
• Choose Your Board Members Wisely
• Create Special Events

Recommended Reading

• Please scoll to the bottom of the blog for reading suggestions