Donor meetings can sometimes feel like “kicking the tires” of your cause or project. Once in a while, however, a donor steps outside the norm and asks a question that demonstrates a unique angle of their interest, or, a unique perspective on your cause. These instances are rare and valuable windows into the heart of philanthropy.
Donor meetings can sometimes feel like “kicking the tires” of your cause or project. Once in a while, however, a donor steps outside the norm and asks a question that demonstrates a unique angle of their interest, or, a unique perspective on your cause. These instances are rare and valuable windows into the heart of philanthropy.
If “busyness” is one of your most consistent responses, excuses, or conversation starters, you’re endangering your organization’s brand, or, at a minimum, you’re reflecting poorly on your personal brand.
If “busyness” is one of your most consistent responses, excuses, or conversation starters, you’re endangering your organization’s brand, or, at a minimum, you’re reflecting poorly on your personal brand.
Because of the broadly publicized campaign last spring, the hard work has already been done. The notion of donating the stimulus is already pretty widely known, you just need to make sure your opportunity is as well.
Because of the broadly publicized campaign last spring, the hard work has already been done. The notion of donating the stimulus is already pretty widely known, you just need to make sure your opportunity is as well.
Don’t worry, cosmetics, smelly oils and juice cleanse sales are not included in the suggestions below. Check out these clever ways nonprofits are using partnerships and idle income streams to supplement their core revenue channels. Best of all, most of these bring awareness and the opportunity to tell your story to new audiences.
Don’t worry, cosmetics, smelly oils and juice cleanse sales are not included in the suggestions below. Check out these clever ways nonprofits are using partnerships and idle income streams to supplement their core revenue channels. Best of all, most of these bring awareness and the opportunity to tell your story to new audiences.
Don’t worry, cosmetics, smelly oils and juice cleanse sales are not included in the suggestions below. Check out these clever ways nonprofits are using partnerships and idle income streams to supplement their core revenue channels. Best of all, most of these bring awareness and the opportunity to tell your story to new audiences.
Have you ever gotten feedback that seemed out of left field? Attacked for the most innocuous element of your work? If you haven’t (yet), just wait. It is a matter of time.
Your heart lifts…Your mind races five, ten, twenty steps ahead. You cannot wait to get to your computer and get to work on this very BIG idea. This is a gamechanger. This cannot happen soon enough. This is a triumph of ingenuity. Or is it?
Social media can be a danger zone for your cause, especially if you haven’t outlined clear expectations through a policy for your organization. The voices of your employees and even your volunteers can cast a shadow or a light on your organization’s image. The recent political drama brought back a memory I had hoped to forget.
From donor communications and community collaboratives to leading your team, there are few areas where confidence doesn’t play a major role in your success and your comfort. If you have the benefit of external affirmations like awards, a big title, or a killer resume…kudos, but maintaining healthy confidence is rooted in things deeper than these accomplishments. If you don’t have those things (yet), it’s ok. Your confidence is something you can control and craft, much like a muscle. The more you work to improve it and exercise it, the more it grows. The more your confidence grows, the more strength you will bring to your work and mission. Here are five tips to help you recognize the strength you already have in this area, as well as some ways anyone can grow:
From donor communications and community collaboratives to leading your team, there are few areas where confidence doesn’t play a major role in your success and your comfort. If you have the benefit of external affirmations like awards, a big title, or a killer resume…kudos, but maintaining healthy confidence is rooted in things deeper than these accomplishments. If you don’t have those things (yet), it’s ok. Your confidence is something you can control and craft, much like a muscle. The more you work to improve it and exercise it, the more it grows. The more your confidence grows, the more strength you will bring to your work and mission. Here are five tips to help you recognize the strength you already have in this area, as well as some ways anyone can grow:
Innovation has certainly become one the buzzwords of 2020. As many nonprofits are attempting to assemble or reconfigure strategic plans for 2021 and beyond, “innovation” will be simultaneously penned on white boards across the nation. Which begs the question…Can you plan to innovate?
Giving Tuesday has great merit and impact on the global scale. Below, I’ve posted a link to our Giving Tuesday article from 2019 for reference. This year, however, let’s focus where no one else seems to be looking…a few of the other 60+ days between now and the end of 2020.
We muted our mics (while on air), missed cues, sat uncomfortably…and awkwardly, in oversized chairs, and made stink eyes at the camera when we didn’t think it was rolling. Ultimately, we pulled off the DO MORE GOOD Nonprofit Conference [Virtual] thanks to a gracious audience, pro speakers, and a production company who knew their stuff. Here are some of our takeaways from the virtual event experience:
I think one of the greatest challenges for nonprofit pros is the need to balance very business-centric duties with the human-centric elements that make up their mission. As you climb the “corporate” ladder, this becomes even more challenging. Time spent on the front lines, meeting with clients, and serving the most immediate needs, becomes challenging with added responsibilities of fundraising and administrative tasks.
Innovation has certainly become one the buzzwords of 2020. As many nonprofits are attempting to assemble or reconfigure strategic plans for 2021 and beyond, “innovation” will be simultaneously penned on white boards across the nation. Which begs the question…Can you plan to innovate?
Here are some of our favorite articles, videos, and blogs from the month of August; including links to the recent Get Back to Doing More Good webinar featuring several DO MORE GOOD Nonprofit Conference Speakers, and Targeted Impact by Wild Apricot featuring our own, Katie Appold.
The busier you are, the more of a struggle this becomes. When you’re squeezing in meetings, it seems absurd to spend whole minutes doing a round-robin-recap of everyone’s weekend activities or analyzing whether your phone is actually listening to your conversations. (It is. In fact, at the end of the pre-meeting small talk it may be the only one listening.)
Most charities receive 75% of their support between the months of October and December, and December alone accounts for 30% of all giving. Wondering where to begin? We’ve uploaded a guide to get you started. Before you dig into the tactics, make sure you complete this oh-so-important first step:
Fundraisers, galas, barbecues, you name it. Essentially everything nonprofits do that used to be in person, has shifted online in some form. So how are you supposed to engage with your community, your donors, and your constituents? Two words: Live Video.
Chances are, your organization is already using a “divide and conquer” structure to some degree. It is common to have boards divided and paired with outside expertise and internal team members to tackle marketing, fundraising, finances, and human resources. Keep reading for more!
While making notes for this article I couldn’t stop thinking about the old adage my parents and teachers used, “If you’re going to do something, you might as well do it right!”
DO MORE GOOD doesn’t have the corner on great content. We do prioritize reading and learning from the best minds in business, philanthropy, marketing, and all things nonprofit. Every month we’ll share a list of content pieces that could help any nonprofit.
“Only my mother texts me this much,” was the notion running through my head when I guiltily made the decision to block the number of an organization I had donated to just hours prior. Within moments of submitting an online gift of a nominal amount, I had received two texts – one confirming my gift and thanking me, and the second notifying me of a campaign.
Like walking into the grocery store hungry, if you go looking for board members without a plan and an inventory of what you have and what you need, you will likely not make the best decisions. While an extra bag of chips is far less detrimental in the long run, I hope you understand the analogy.
Candidly, I want to disclose that this article started with me thinking it would be great to assemble a list of all the great nonprofit freebies and discounts being offered in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. After an hour of combing through ten other similar lists, I realized there was something wrong with this picture.
Check out part two of our list of simple, low-cost or free, tasks that will help strengthen your brand.
These simple, low-cost, or free, tasks will help your brand shine. Best of all, you can do them in-between Zoom calls or simply for the satisfaction of crossing something off your list.
I hope an item on your to-do list this week is acknowledgments from the massive influx of support you received from #GivingTuesdayNow. I also hope you’re not about to cross it off by simply clicking on the mail merge link through your donor database.
Tomorrow is the big day. The notice on #GivingTuesdayNow was sort of like finding out your full family Christmas party is at your house the week before Christmas…, oh, and the grocery store is out of toilet paper. Do what you can to maximize the opportunity, and then get back to doing more good. Like the aunt that asks what she can bring to the unplanned party, we’re providing some last-minute tips to help:
As many foundations are loosening restrictions on their giving in order to support general operations, those organizations that have succeeded in securing general operating support all along are realizing the benefits now more than ever.
Over the past week, millions of Americans received a check unrelated to their normal income. For many, this is needed for daily living expenses and the burdens of the pandemic. For others, who have employment or income unaffected by the pandemic, this money is “icing.” Free to use however they wish … Do they know your organization needs support?
Not many, if any, organizations will come through the COVID-19 pandemic without some wounds, but some will exit the crisis in better shape than others. A determinant of post-COVID financial health will likely be whether an organization built and maintained a healthy operating reserve prior to the pandemic.
