Feeling Burned Out? Stop, Drop, and Roll

I’ve worked with countless nonprofit leaders over the years and they all have a few things in common: an intense passion, extremely high expectations, and an incomparable work ethic. While these are all extraordinary qualities to possess, these traits can also cause a bad case of burn out. Since being exhausted is never fun (for you or your coworkers), here are some ways to prevent burn out and continue delivering for your cause:

Stop! One of the major causes of burn out is neglecting to take some time for yourself. A seemingly obvious remedy, the act of taking a little “me” time can be hard to accomplish with a long “to do” list weighing on your mind. This can be especially true in philanthropy, education, and child care, where there is a constant focus on meeting the needs of others. When there aren’t enough hours in the day, how in the world do you find time to take a breather from your impending tasks?

The best way to eliminate burn out is to prevent it. Try to set a consistent time of day when you take a walk around your building, synchronize your break time with a fellow coworker to chat, or just stand up and stretch. Do your best to also leave your workday at the office and focus on your family and friends. 95% of what we think is important can wait another day.

Drop! Get rid of what isn’t working. Take time to evaluate your projects, calendar, and events to measure input verses output during your work day. Sometimes our inner control freak comes out, clinging on for dear life – let go and delegate! While it may be easier said than done, trusting others allows you to focus on important aspects of your organization. Every task may feel important, but be sure to take the time to focus your efforts and avoid spreading yourself too thin.

Get rid of unrealistic expectations. As the leader your passion, dedication, and sacrifice will far exceed that of your staff. Though they are dedicated to your cause and organization, your employees may not be willing to put in 60 hours a week without overtime. Furthermore, not every supporter will attend every function, read every e-mail, or fund every project. It is a great feat to find qualified staff willing to work for and partner with your mission and monumental to have a donor show their support for your cause in any capacity.

Roll … with the punches. Some of the best leaders surround themselves with a trusted group of advisors who can handle problems when things don’t go as planned. Most of the time, supporters and volunteers won’t see a small hiccup in an otherwise flawless event or campaign. As cliché as the old saying is, “expect the best but plan for the worst.” Something is bound to go wrong when you are planning a major direct mail campaign, annual event, or important presentation. Do want you can to solve the problem and then let go. Holding on to a list of past problems or failures fuels burnout and distracts your focus.

Being flexible is also important as new fundraising trends spring up. Don’t stress about what you do or don’t know about online fundraising, social media, or phone apps. Build a strong support system of other nonprofit leaders that can provide encouragement and share valuable resources. Find out what works for them, what online resources they use, and what trends they tend to follow. Meeting with others who know what you are going through can be the best way to bring fresh ideas to the table and prevent you from spiraling out of control towards a sever case of burn out!

What Do Shark Week and Fundraising Have in Common?

This week marks the 25^th anniversary of the Discovery Channel’s ever-popular Shark Week! Here at Fundly, we too fall victim to shark mania, the annual celebration highlighting some of nature’s most captivating predators. From the first time I saw the movie Jaws to the many times I’ve watched the movie Deep Blue Sea on television, I love the suspense and action that these thrillers bring. I still have second thoughts about entering into the ocean!

What in the world does Shark Week have to do with online fundraising? Keep reading for some takeaways from these fascinating sea creatures…

1)      Prevent  your donors from feeling like prey – The shark fin in the water from Jaws and eerie music (da-nuh, da-nuh), sets the tone for sharks in popular culture. It gives the viewer a sense of feeling like they are being hunted (I’m coming for you!).  How do your donors view you? Continually asking for donations, rather than truly connecting with people who are supporting your cause, can often times cause them to lose interest. Listening to comments and ideas goes a long way towards building trust between your organization and donors. Timely thank you’s, sharing of milestones and progress, and discussion about topics beyond your cause can also do wonders as you create lasting relationships with your supporters. Don’t be a fin and the water hunting for donations, show your face and tell your story to allow people to approach your cause in a positive way!

2)      Don’t stay in one place, migrate! – Great white sharks travel thousands of miles to keep their bellies full, from the coastline to the deep waters of the ocean. As the weather changes and different species migrate, the shark explores different paths to avoid depleting one source of food and to find other means of surviving. Nonprofits can learn a valuable lesson from this: don’t spend the entire year feeding on the same limited resources. As a nonprofit leader, it is important to be mindful of your donors so they do not burn out and become extinct. Building a fundraising strategy that includes several types of donors and fundraising avenues will allow your nonprofit to sustain itself throughout the year. Look for new places to fish –  like social networks, community mixers, or public events.

3)      Getting “chummy” with your donors – We’ve all seen divers throw in buckets of fish parts into the water to attract sharks with the enticing scent of blood penetrating the water. To catch a larger shark with a fishing rod, the bigger pieces of bait need more hooks in them to hold heavier sharks.  The same is true when you are looking to attract higher end donors. What type of bait are you putting on the line? Consider advertising, press releases, public relations, tax write-offs, and volunteerism to build community as part of their benefits. You also may want to honor individuals at annual events, create a major donor plaque to display in your front office, or highlight levels of giving in your annual report or quarterly newsletter. Even the simplest of thank you on social media can go a long way to help keep them on the line.

Here a few more key lessons from Shark Week:

• Start a feeding frenzy.
• Keep moving.
• Sometimes it helps to hunt in packs.
• Trust your instincts to stay afloat.

5 More Top Nonprofit Leaders to Follow

In the last post, we highlighted five of our favorite nonprofit leaders that we find the most informative, innovative, and applicable for the nonprofit community. Here are five more useful blogs and nonprofit leaders to follow. (Please note that the list is in no particular order. Each expert brings something different to the table and they are all awesome!)

5)      Jeff Brooks: @JeffBrooks Seattle, WA; Blog: Future Fundraising Now
Brooks is great at finding current statistics, articles, and relevant blog posts, conveniently summing them up in one quaint package. His site is a treasure trove of information that varies from creating captivating content to syncing your online and offline fundraising strategies. When I read his posts, I want to print them and use them as checklists for future campaigns – they’re that good.

6)      Beth Kanter: @Kanter San Francisco, CA; Blog: Beth’s Blog
Heartfelt, real, and done right; these are the first words that come to mind when describing Kanter’s work. She has gorgeous pictures, compelling graphics, concise bullet points, and excellent content. From inspiring personal stories about her adopted children from Cambodia, to using social media to attract high level donors, you can’t help but walk away from her blog feeling refreshed and ready to make the world a better place.

7)      Pam Moore: @PamMktgNut Tampa, FL; Blog: Pam Marketing Nut

Scrolling down the list of Pam’s past posts, you can’t help but say to yourself “I could really use that info!”  Her posts are often times organized into lists, making them easy and quick to read, while providing useful information. She continually provides great ideas on how to maximize your nonprofit’s use of social media and content marketing  You don’t have to be a marketing expert, Moore’s fun and informative blog provides the tips and advice you need to develop and maintain a winning strategy. (And it’s always entertaining when social media guru “Granny” stops by for a guest blog post!)

     Heather Mansfield: @nonprofitorgs Springfield, MO; Blog: Nonprofit Tech 2.0

In the world of ever-changing technology, sometimes trying to keep up can result in my brain turning to mush. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all of the trends in the nonprofit world – a feeling that can easily get exacerbated when you add the the rapid growth of technology into the mix. It can be confusing attempting to apply the traditional ways of fundraising to the new platforms of social networking, but Mansfield easily incorporates online resources into any fundraising campaign. She uploads a plethora of samples, stories, and strategies that can benefit organizations regardless of their size or budget.

9)      Debra Askanase: @askdebra Boston, MA; Blog: Community Organizer 2.0

Askanase addresses social media, marketing, and fundraising with intelligence and practicality that is thought-provoking and clearly stated. Topics often times focus on content curation and social media strategizing, giving nonprofits tips on how to optimize their story and resources to make the most out of their online presence. She brings a fresh perspective and new resources to the table.

10)      Seth Godin: @ThisIsSethsBlog Hastings-on-Hudson, New York; Blog: Seth Godin’s Blog

Godin’s blog is completely random (in a good way) and is the equivalent of trekking up the hill to ask advice from a meditative monk. Some days he focuses on technology, other days fundraising, and yet many times he simply  provides a commentary on life. That’s probably why I like it – there are only so many articles you can read about content, what time of day to post on social media, and how to redesign your website. Sometimes you just need to take a step back. Godin balances thoughtfulness and pensive remarks with the business of philanthropy.

Change the world, make a movie… or a digital story

It’s Advertising Week in New York.

In a panel sponsored by Google and the Advertising Council, Wendy Cohen, director for digital campaigns and community at Participant Media, spoke about the power of film to bring about social change. Movies are being created to tell the stories that were once just reported.

And people are watching them. The Help, Contagion and An Inconvenient Truth are among Participant Media’s many popular socially minded films. Last week, in New York City, First Run Features released American Teacher, an eye-opening documentary that chronicles the experiences of teachers around the states. There are tons of feature-length films out there drawing upon – and building – socially minded audiences.

But what’s a non-profit with a small budget and no film crew to do?

Make a digital story.

A digital story is a first person video narrative that combines voice, moving image and sound.

In the name of human rights, education and social justice, the Center for Digital Storytelling, headquartered in Berkeley, CA, partners with non-profits to help them tell the stories.

Here’s one story, from the center’s website, about refugee Ta Kwe Say’s journey from Burma to Seattle, WA: http://www.storycenter.org/stories/index.php?cat=8

Ta Kwe Say’s story is deeply moving because it is deeply personal. It’s compelling because it’s human.
What stories do your non-profit have to tell?

Fundly wants to hear them – and see them! Be sure to them our way!

How Tipitina’s Foundation Uses Social Media for Fundraising

Watch this excellent entry to Fundly’s Social Fundraising Video Contest  .

The Tipitina’s Foundation: Supporting Louisiana and New Orleans’ irreplaceable music community and preserving their unique musical cultures.

Start up your very own social media fundraising   campaign today on Fundly.

What Is Your Non-Profit’s Personality?

“What is your non-profit’s personality?” What kind of crazy question is that? Do organizations and charities have personalities? Why is it important for your donors to associate your cause with certain traits and characteristics? Who thinks of this stuff?

I came upon an article by Kivi Leroux Miller on Network for Good and she has some applicable points for non-profits to benefit from. She got me thinking that every major brand has a clearly defined personality to relate to its specific target group. The soda and fast food conglomerates have bright colors and flashy slogans to gain the attention of the younger generation. Pharmaceutical brands create commercials to appeal to their consumer base. Fashion lines direct their advertising with graphics and music to grab the attention of their market. Non-profits could truly benefit from the marketing savvy of the business world (which is happening more and more.)

So, let’s get back to the topic at hand: What is the personality of your non-profit? From my experience and observations, I must say that who your company is is defined by who is in charge. If your CEO is laid back and casual, that is the attitude of your office. If your president is organized, structured and no nonsense, that is the feeling that your donors will get at events, in e-mails and in your direct mail campaigns. The person in charge is the compass that directs the personality of your organization.

How do donors get a feel for your personality? Miller suggests to always write in the first person and to let the donors know who is doing the talking. Business meetings can have formal notes, but let your communication with supporters be more personal. Next, share your honest opinions. “Don’t be afraid to take a stand. Point out what and who is right, and what and who is wrong (or at least heading in the right or wrong direction, if you need to be more diplomatic about it). People look to nonprofits as trustworthy leaders, so show some leadership by pointing the way,” explains Miller.

Your supporters also want to know a piece of the reality that goes into your outreach programs. What are your up and downs? What are you struggling with? What specific stories tell the tale of how you are making a difference? Engage your readers with humor and honest mistakes. They want to know that there is a living, breathing human behind the keyboard.

Relatability and honestly are two strong characteristics that donors seek when looking for a cause and charity to support. Accessibility is another. Through social media, you can easily show your personality to a larger group of donors through e-mails, Facebook posts and blogging. Let Fundly partner with you to help your personality shine through as a way to further your fundraising goals.

Giving Increases Despite Financial Setbacks

There’s something about Christmas that warms the heart and touches the soul. Whether it be the traditions that we continue to honor year after year or the spirit of giving that swirls around us like a crisp winter breeze, there’s just something that unites us and transforms the mundane into the spectacular.

From the twinkling lights draped on the Christmas tree, to the eyes of a child that sparkle with anticipation on Christmas morning, the season is aglow with generosity and brotherhood. With the warmth of the season, many charities and non-profits are feeling the prosperity of the holidays and the sacrificial giving of thoughtful donors.

At this time of year, it’s interesting to note that the less fortunate are on giving lists right next to beloved family members. It’s well known and accepted that Christmas is the season when charities reap the largest amounts of donations and this is the month when these organizations play catch up for the shortcomings of the 11 not as prosperous months. The American Red Cross confirms these notions with the following facts:

• 80 percent of respondents felt their finances are either the same or worse than they were last year.
•  
• Sixty-eight percent of Americans believe that because of the economy, it’s important to give something to charity a 10 percentage point increase over the 58 percent who felt that way last year.
•  
• More than half (55 percent) say they feel bad about spending money on gifts people might not use.
•  
• 79 percent agreed that they would rather have charitable donation in their honor than get a gift they wouldn’t use.

I think what we can glean from these statistics is that although people seem to be stagnating on their overall income, they are feeling more compassion for their less fortunate counterparts and are willing to make sacrifices to help the less fortunate.

I can’t help but ponder what has made donors more aware of the plight of those in need: is it celebrities highlighting causes that fuel their passions, television commercials that bring the harsh realities of life into the living rooms of the common man, or social media which keeps donors abreast of the victories and fundraising challenges their organization is facing?

Regardless of the cause, it seems like many in our nation are becoming more compassionate, and that is always a good thing for the non-profit industry (regardless of the time of year.)

Economy has Greater Impact on Smaller Non-Profits

The struggling economy has handicapped non-profit organizations across the board in 2011, but there is a new study out that reveals how smaller charities have felt the bite of cutbacks more than their larger counterparts. Why do smaller groups suffer more and what can they do to strengthen their fundraising numbers?

Rick Cohen writes in The Non-Profit Quarterly about a new study that was conducted by GuideStar pertaining to how 875 respondents faired in 2011 and what they plan to do in 2012. Although GuideStar doesn’t claim to have a proper sampling of the non-profit population or an adequate parallel of specific organizations from 2010 to 2011, their findings are still interesting food for thought.

The study reports that:

• A little over one-fourth of respondents reported declining foundation support in 2011, and just under another third said that their foundation support in 2011 has been “flat”;
•  
• Just about one-third of “smaller” charities (defined as expenditures below $3 million) reported declines in fundraising in 2011 compared to 2010, roughly twice the proportion of large nonprofits;
•  
• Smaller nonprofits showed more signs of fundraising and overall fiscal distress, including greater likelihood of losing new or renewing donors, low cash reserves, and overreliance on a very limited number of funders;
•  
• One-fifth of the smallest groups in the survey (expenditures below $250,000) said they were at risk of closing in 2012 compared to only 5 percent of respondents with larger expenditures;
•  
• Over half of respondents with government funding suffered from government cutbacks while only 16 percent reported that their government funding increased.
•  

The numbers are thought provoking but the overall results are not. The big fish in the fundraising sea have obviously more money to invest in larger campaigns, more staff for outreach purposes and the ability to garner more media attention. They also can higher experts to analyze and create their fundraising strategies and they probably have a board of financial gurus.

How can these smaller charities compete for donors and their resources? Once again social media can be the best tool for these ailing groups. With minimal financial investment and with a knack for creativity, social media can link micro-charities to a larger group of current and potential donors. I’ve noticed a huge trend in the non-profit world in which groups create huge fundraising campaigns using just social media resources such as “A Day to Donate” or “One Week to Raise $250,000.” Now these are my samples, but countless groups have been successful posting similar propositions. It’s never too late to connect to more supporters and social media is the most efficient and profitable way to do so.

Let Fundly help you use this great resource today!

‘Tis the season to thank your donors

Everybody likes to feel appreciated.

Giving thanks to our donors is one of the most important things non-profits do, and is one of the best ways to ensure that donations keep coming in.

Sadly, Penelope Burk, author of Donor Centered Fundraising, reports that “46% of donors decide to stop giving for reasons that are tied to lack of meaningful information or to a feeling that their giving is not appreciated.” No wonder creative fundraising expert Greg Bowden suggests that non-profits should thank donors at least seven times!


I don’t know of a single non-profit that is not grateful for its donors; it’s a shame to let gratitude go unexpressed.

Jocelyn Harmon, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Network for Good, offers some great advice on how to effectively thank donors on her awesome Marketing for Nonprofits blog. Here are her five gratitude tips:

Be personal – Use proper names, handwritten is always best!

Be creative – Have you thought of writing a song or making a movie? Don’t be shy, be different.

Be tangible – Make sure donors know how their gift is being used.

Be donor-centered – Avoid going on for too long about your organization. Focus on the donor.

Be fast – Acknowledge a gift within 48 hours.

Alan Sharpe, a professional writer of fundraising thank-you letters, advices organizations to “thank donors promptly, personally, particularly and positively.” He’s published a sample letter to help you get started.
Terry Alexrod, author of The Joy of Fundraising, echoes Jocelyn and Alan’s messages about writing specific thank-you letters: “Donors want to see what their gifts allowed you to accomplish – specific facts and stories of how they changed the lives of real people. This is how they will know their money was put to the best use in your programs and services.”

Have you properly thanked your recent donors? If you’ve missed the 48-hour mark, don’t worry. The recent Thanksgiving holiday will add some timeliness to an overdue expression of gratitude.

Better late than never, they say.

New Year’s Resolutions from Philanthropic Leaders

I came across a thought-provoking segment in The Chronicle of Philanthropy which shared some New Year’s resolutions of the top leaders and thinkers in the philanthropy world. From Darian Rodriguez Heyman, author of Nonprofit Management 101 to Jeff Raikes, president of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, here are some goals and strategies that these men and women have brainstormed for the non-profit think tanks in 2012.

To collaborate or not to collaborate, that seems to be the question in the upcoming year. As one of the major themes of 2011, many leaders are agreeing that joining together for a common mission saves time, money and energy. “Donors are not going to continue supporting the massive amount of duplication and waste that our sector has generated over the past few decades. The nonprofit world should resolve to establish formal collaborations between complementary organizations that can increase both the efficiency and impact of each partner agency,” states Jeremy Gregg, executive director, the PLAN Fund, a Dallas microfinance group.

Jeff Raikes, president, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation agrees with Gregg and adds “Not only do we need to share more about our strategies and what we’re learning, but we need to listen more. We should agree to work together as a sector to accelerate progress on measuring the impact of our work and using the results to make our work better. Together we can learn to use measurement, information, and data to continually improve our efforts to accelerate the change in the world we all seek.”

The second theme seems to be to change the way we think and base upcoming decisions on new data. Susan Raymond, executive vice president of the consulting company Changing Our World comments, “The nonprofit and enterprise worlds are blending. Therefore, turn your thinking upside down and begin to think as though you operate in the competitive market because, increasingly, you do. Think first about what people want and what they expect, and only second about what you want to provide them.” Amy Sample Ward, membership director, Nonprofit Technology Network somewhat expands on this idea combined with supporting collaboration by stating, “Not only do I see more organizations looking for ways to be data-driven in decision making, communications, campaigning, and marketing, but also a growing interest and understanding of the value in sharing data. Just as we want to be data-driven inside our organizations, the more we share our data with each other, the more data-driven we can be in our work collectively.”

A third idea that resonates is to use technology to its potential. “2012 must mark the year we get in front of technology, instead of behind it. Let’s resolve to unleash the full potential of social media and Internet marketing for fundraising, community organizing, and advocacy,” suggests Darian Rodriguez Heyman, author of Nonprofit Management 101. An easy way to start on this path is to let Fundly come beside your organization to create a easy and accessible link between social media and your non-profit.

The times are changing and New Years seems to be the best day on the calendar to implement new strategies and thought patterns. Make this be the best year your charity has ever seen!

Economy has Greater Impact on Smaller Non-Profits

The struggling economy has handicapped non-profit organizations across the board in 2011, but there is a new study out that reveals how smaller charities have felt the bite of cutbacks more than their larger counterparts. Why do smaller groups suffer more and what can they do to strengthen their fundraising numbers?

Rick Cohen writes in The Non-Profit Quarterly about a new study that was conducted by GuideStar pertaining to how 875 respondents faired in 2011 and what they plan to do in 2012. Although GuideStar doesn’t claim to have a proper sampling of the non-profit population or an adequate parallel of specific organizations from 2010 to 2011, their findings are still interesting food for thought.
The study reports that:

• A little over one-fourth of respondents reported declining foundation support in 2011, and just under another third said that their foundation support in 2011 has been “flat”;
• Just about one-third of “smaller” charities (defined as expenditures below $3 million) reported declines in fundraising in 2011 compared to 2010, roughly twice the proportion of large nonprofits;
• Smaller nonprofits showed more signs of fundraising and overall fiscal distress, including greater likelihood of losing new or renewing donors, low cash reserves, and over-reliance on a very limited number of funders;
• One-fifth of the smallest groups in the survey (expenditures below $250,000) said they were at risk of closing in 2012 compared to only 5 percent of respondents with larger expenditures;
• Over half of respondents with government funding suffered from government cutbacks while only 16 percent reported that their government funding increased.

The numbers are thought provoking but the overall results are not. The big fish in the fundraising sea have obviously more money to invest in larger campaigns, more staff for outreach purposes and the ability to garner more media attention. They also can higher experts to analyze and create their fundraising strategies and they probably have a board of financial gurus.

How can these smaller charities compete for donors and their resources? Once again social media can be the best tool for these ailing groups. With minimal financial investment and with a knack for creativity, social media can link micro-charities to a larger group of current and potential donors. I’ve noticed a huge trend in the non-profit world in which groups create huge fundraising campaigns using just social media resources such as “A Day to Donate” or “One Week to Raise $250,000.” Now these are my samples, but countless groups have been successful posting similar propositions. It’s never too late to connect to more supporters and social media is the most efficient and profitable way to do so.

Let Fundly help you use this great resource today!

Giving Increases Despite Financial Setbacks

There’s something about Christmas that warms the heart and touches the soul. Whether it be the traditions that we continue to honor year after year or the spirit of giving that swirls around us like a crisp winter breeze, there’s just something that unites us and transforms the mundane into the spectacular.

From the twinkling lights draped on the Christmas tree, to the eyes of a child that sparkle with anticipation on Christmas morning, the season is aglow with generosity and brotherhood. With the warmth of the season, many charities and non-profits are feeling the prosperity of the holidays and the sacrificial giving of thoughtful donors.

At this time of year, it’s interesting to note that the less fortunate are on giving lists right next to beloved family members. It’s well known and accepted that Christmas is the season when charities reap the largest amounts of donations and this is the month when these organizations play catch up for the shortcomings of the 11 not as prosperous months. The American Red Cross confirms these notions with the following facts:

• 80 percent of respondents felt their finances are either the same or worse than they were last year.
• Sixty-eight percent of Americans believe that because of the economy, it’s important to give something to charity a 10 percentage point increase over the 58 percent who felt that way last year.
• More than half (55 percent) say they feel bad about spending money on gifts people might not use.
• 79 percent agreed that they would rather have charitable donation in their honor than get a gift they wouldn’t use.

I think what we can glean from these statistics is that although people seem to be stagnating on their overall income, they are feeling more compassion for their less fortunate counterparts and are willing to make sacrifices to help the less fortunate.

I can’t help but ponder what has made donors more aware of the plight of those in need: is it celebrities highlighting causes that fuel their passions, television commercials that bring the harsh realities of life into the living rooms of the common man, or social media which keeps donors abreast of the victories and fundraising challenges their organization is facing?

Regardless of the cause, it seems like many in our nation are becoming more compassionate, and that is always a good thing for the non-profit industry (regardless of the time of year.)

Building the Foundation for a Successful Non-Profit

The needs are great in a hurting world and many new non-profits are starting up to address those who require assistance. Whether it be a food pantry, after school program, animal rescue society or elderly assistance, all charities need to build a similar foundation to ensure a promising future.

The first step is to create a board of trusted and skilled individuals who share the passion for your cause and have different talents to bring to the table. Ideally, find professionals who have a strong financial background, marketing experience, and business acumen along with others who have worked in this area and are willing to get creative with ideas on how to prosper your organization. Creating a strong mission statement will align your board to your vision and bring unity at the get go. Another important thing to consider when selecting your board members is how often you want to meet and if the member can dedicate the time it takes to attend meetings, fundraisers and media outreach events. Financial investment and professional peer influence are also assets that they can bring.

The next step is to create a name, symbol and slogan for your new charity. Being creative is great, but being too creative can cloud the purpose of your organization. This is going to be on every letter, website, staff shirt and promo that you distribute so it needs to be timeless, simple and relevant. Brainstorm a list of names and then double check to see what comes up on the internet. I worked with one non-profit that had to change their name because they didn’t research it enough and found a conflicting cause in another state that had the same name. They had to re-file several forms and reprint stationary which wasted quite a bit of time and money.

Start small, focus on a few goals at a time and do them well. Create a set of long term goals and short term goals and decide the three most important jobs on each list. Develop a timeline to achieve those goals and a plan of attack. For example, you may have the priority of generating a donor list of 200 people and securing a certain amount of funds in your bank account as a short term goal. The long term goal would be to find a building to rent or purchase. Another short term goal could be to help 10 people consistently as part of your outreach. The long term goal would be setting up an afterschool program at several schools.

Once your board, mission statement, name, and goals are established, create a website to spread the word. Use Facebook and Twitter to tell your friends and family about what you’re up to and direct them to the website. You may be working out of your home office, but a stellar website can set the standard of professionalism. It also makes fundraising more convenient and accessible to those who want to contribute.

Building the Foundation for a Successful Non-Profit

The needs are great in a hurting world and many new non-profits are starting up to address those who require assistance. Whether it be a food pantry, after school program, animal rescue society or elderly assistance, all charities need to build a similar foundation to ensure a promising future.

The first step is to create a board of trusted and skilled individuals who share the passion for your cause and have different talents to bring to the table. Ideally, find professionals who have a strong financial background, marketing experience, and business acumen along with others who have worked in this area and are willing to get creative with ideas on how to prosper your organization. Creating a strong mission statement will align your board to your vision and bring unity at the get go. Another important thing to consider when selecting your board members is how often you want to meet and if the member can dedicate the time it takes to attend meetings, fundraisers and media outreach events. Financial investment and professional peer influence are also assets that they can bring.

The next step is to create a name, symbol and slogan for your new charity. Being creative is great, but being too creative can cloud the purpose of your organization. This is going to be on every letter, website, staff shirt and promo that you distribute so it needs to be timeless, simple and relevant. Brainstorm a list of names and then double check to see what comes up on the internet. I worked with one non-profit that had to change their name because they didn’t research it enough and found a conflicting cause in another state that had the same name. They had to re-file several forms and reprint stationary which wasted quite a bit of time and money.

Start small, focus on a few goals at a time and do them well. Create a set of long term goals and short term goals and decide the three most important jobs on each list. Develop a timeline to achieve those goals and a plan of attack. For example, you may have the priority of generating a donor list of 200 people and securing a certain amount of funds in your bank account as a short term goal. The long term goal would be to find a building to rent or purchase. Another short term goal could be to help 10 people consistently as part of your outreach. The long term goal would be setting up an afterschool program at several schools.

Once your board, mission statement, name, and goals are established, create a website to spread the word. Use Facebook and Twitter to tell your friends and family about what you’re up to and direct them to the website. You may be working out of your home office, but a stellar website can set the standard of professionalism. It also makes fundraising more convenient and accessible to those who want to contribute.

Charity Giving Results for First Half of 2011

The Nonprofit Research Collaborative (NRC) released a report today pertaining to giving in 2011 as compared to 2010. As someone involved with a non-profit organization, I doubt that these numbers will surprise you. As a matter of fact, I bet you can pull out your own accounting books and support many of these claims.

On MarketWatch.com, a press release from Business Wire stated that, “As the fourth quarter of 2011 begins–typically the most important time of year for fundraising–fewer than half of surveyed nonprofits reported fundraising increases during the first half of 2011 compared with the same period in 2010.”

Here are some interesting statistics: 44% reported increases in charitable contributions received through June, compared with the same period in 2010; 25% reported giving remained level; 30% reported charitable contributions have declined so far this year and 1% did not know.

These numbers are surprisingly similar to the results received in 2009. However, in 2007 when the economy was quite a bit stronger, 65% of the agencies said they raised more money than the previous year, 11% raised about the same amount and 24% raised less. (On a side note, I want to know who the 1% was that didn’t know if their donations increased or decreased in the 2011 survey. I just hope they were new non-profits that couldn’t fully compare their bank statements… or maybe they just need new accountants….)

“The NRC surveys found that the relatively low share of nonprofits reporting growth in contributions received began during the recession and lingered for all subsectors through the first half of 2011. In the current survey, human services organizations fared best, but only 50 percent of those organizations reported increases in the first half of the year. International charities had the smallest share of organizations reporting increases, at just 20 percent, although those numbers may be affected by the Haiti earthquake and high donation levels in 2010.

“There were marked differences based on size, with larger organizations achieving greater fundraising success. Fifty-seven percent of the largest organizations in the survey (budgets of $3 million or greater) raised more funds in the first half of 2011, compared with just 34 percent of charities with budgets of less than $250,000.”

It is also interesting to note that the majority of organizations (with expenditures over $250,000) who did raise more money were either involved in or are planning capital and other fundraising campaigns. Giving donors a specific event or goal to focus on helped to increase their giving.

Finally, “when asked for their thoughts about the most successful fundraising methods for the rest of the year, two-thirds (67 %) reported they would focus on large-scale efforts to reach many people through direct mail, special events, online campaigns and similar activities. 45% said they would focus on larger gifts, while 28 % said they saw foundation and corporate support as their biggest potential growth area.”

To read the complete report, please visit: http://bit.ly/puHEH7

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