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

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

Want to gain support from grant makers -- think program efficiency

Green equals growth and
sometimes you have to prune back.  Really.

I ran across this article in the Chronicle of Philanthropy and the title just jumped out at me.  Follow the link at the end of the article.

In today's tough economic times, private foundation' grant dollars are even more precious to nonprofits.  Doesn't it make sense your organization should to be current with private foundation thinking and expectation?  Of course it does. 

Grant makers, public and private, along with individual donors, want to know how their investment dollars make a difference -- sure.  The question is... how can you position your agency to utilize grant funding in the most efficient manner?  Does that mean partnering and collaboration with another nonprofit with a similar mission?  How about stepping up for an outside evaluation of your programs and specifically, their results?  Understanding your core mission and cutting the programs that aren't working = efficiency -- a good thing.

Demonstrating that your organization is progressive and understands the importance of every dollar and is willing to make necessary changes to offer the most for that buck is impressive to grant makers.

As a nonprofit consultant, one of the services I provide is that outside opinion/evaluation on programs, mission relevance, and efficiency. 

The Philanthropy' article has some good suggestions.  It is an easy read with some excellent tips to starting a new self-examination process. Worth the read!   Here is the article

Cheers,
DCR

101 Common-Sense Rules for Leaders

This is a great little cheat sheet and quick read.  These rules/tips on leadership apply to profit and nonprofit.  At the very least -- good reminders.  You will want to share it if you are grooming leaders within your organization.  Depends upon your comfort level:   http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/9jmbSw/www.focus.com/fyi/human-resources/managers-cheat-sheet-101-common-sense-rules-leaders%3F%3Fmodal%3D1

Enjoy!
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/

Five reasons board leaders should not have term limits

Something to think about.

Nonprofit friends,

An interesting article from the Chronicle of Philanthropy.  The author makes points for both the pro and con perspectives.  The accompanying comments below the story are interesting as well.  I thought you might find this quick read enlightening. 

Best, DCR

  http://philanthropy.com/blogs/against-the-grain/five-reasons-board-leaders-should-not-have-term-limits/27534?sid=&utm_source=&utm_medium=en



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

Do the ideas of Planned Giving or Managing Bequests Scare You?

Nonprofits --Re-Think, Re-Invent, Re-Engage in 2011.



Putting your money into a sock won't grow it in 2011.

Consider investing in consultants and experienced

 professionals to take your nonprofit to a new level.

 Small and mid-sized nonprofits rarely go after Bequests or develop a Planned Giving Campaign.  In today's edgy donor investment market, it might be time for these organizations to take the scary mask off of the whole process. Here is a link to BIPS, a company that will explain the art of gift solicitation and manage the financial/compliance process for you.   http://www.bipster.com/nonprofits-income.

Best Wishes in the New Year,

DCR

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 -- A Brilliant Resource -- Inside Philanthropy Blog

 Nonprofit Sector Knowledge = Survival

Nonprofits + Economy = A long harsh winter.  Or does it?

So many nonprofits have been hit by this seemingly unending harsh economy.  Reduced funding from state sources, foundations and donors comes at a time when the demand for service has risen substantially.  Now is the time for nonprofits to build capacity through knowledge of their own industry.  As a member of the nonprofit sector, ask yourself, how well do I understand the industry -- where it has been, what is happening now and where is it going?

How can management, board and staff be more informed? What are the emerging issues in the sector or best practices by your colleagues?  Is it time to merge or return to the basics?

I have an outstanding resource for you -- Inside Philanthropy -- a blog flown under the banner of the Philanthropy Journal.  Extremely well-written and timely, this blog offers both insightful articles and informative reports.  It is a must-read for today's savvy nonprofits.      http://philanthropyjournal.blogspot.com/

Happy and informative reading,
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

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