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

Early Learning Grants coming to states to administer

Early learning grant programs will be coming from the federal level to the states for administration.  Here is a link to a recent Chronicle of Philanthropy article and the announcement in May.  Details on the programs should be available in late summer:

 http://philanthropy.com/blogs/public-measureshttp://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/obama-administration-announces-500-million-race-top-early-learning-challenge/a-new-race-to-the-top-for-innovation-in-early-learning/80

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/

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

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