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

Examples of Social Media Policies -- protect your organization & employees.

Set up your social media policy
before an incident occurs

Social media is mainstream communication today and most businesses realize it. 

The same approach can't be said for many small-to-mid-size nonprofit organizations.  A social media policy will clearly define the organization's guidelines for knowledgeable public internet interaction and protect the privacy, confidentiality and interests of your organization, including employees, partners, donors, etc.
 

A social media policy will help your employees make appropriate decisions about work-related blogging and content on their personal websites and other interactive social media sites -- FB, LinkedIn, Twitter, Google+, etc.

Take a look at these examples and you might just find a policy that fits -- and... like socialmediatoday recommends -- run it by legal counsel prior to implementation.

Link to examples of social media policies

Cheers!

DCR

Bank of Amercia Foundation wants to give unrestricted grant dollars

Ah, the green, green grass
of general operating dollars!

This is pretty refreshing -- Bank of America Foundation puts their emphasis on providing unrestricted grant dollars and they fund for general operating.  That doesn't come around too often, friends...so grab the link and get all the info.  Article courtesy The Chronicle of Philanthropy.

Link to article

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

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