tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26542985190589413982023-07-17T22:12:41.119-07:00ABCs of FundraisingKathryn Limahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16963990513613303471noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654298519058941398.post-39575199563953898962015-09-16T07:46:00.003-07:002015-09-16T07:46:39.634-07:00NFPs should "invest" in communications! An important message about the value of communications to NFPs. It's not a one-time thing.<br />
<br />
<div class="article-header" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 32px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div class="source-promo " data-li-uetrk-token="0_1Sx9Tp9VRKMwdr_tcS09TQ8doBiOwEPVCuYFe3g8wwroylnPBCsir1_fAS4iha98PvK6gd62gVZQkcRiQyWJNgpqy6X9swEtYLUHS8AA_1cnu6GKpuUsbaQ6_iCtJEqF6Fdnsn1cqwaENElFSqmSXIiYUZpCjYQd5tjA2mVi5yJo9intdNnofs8wnp8osLeW6x35xK1arHaNV35d3OR7yxtk6aAEf2wJrrcJCpy8dy-LHTfchccILBevyalJVpSocfwrUjcCCFgQS-S-4-w1gPhXhoP4H6bul2pR0xw2aCyhV4rQKQg66WnJES09Dw7rtVYuG409M86GNrYJKK816V" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-bottom-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.14902); border-bottom-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; display: table; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a class="image-container" data-li-uetrk-click="img" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahcarney?trk=pulse-det-athr_prof-art_hdr" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.54902); display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 70px; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 15px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: middle; width: 80px; zoom: 1;" title="Allison Carney"><img alt="Allison Carney" class="image" height="100" itemprop="image" src="https://media.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/shrink_100_100/p/8/005/014/36a/2256968.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 40px; border: 2px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 80px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; top: -18px; vertical-align: middle; zoom: 1;" width="100" /></a><div class="text-row break" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: table-cell; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; top: -8px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 471px;">
<h2 class="title" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85098); display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 5px; max-height: 45px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: 471px;">
<a class="name " data-li-uetrk-click="tl" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahcarney?trk=pulse-det-athr_prof-art_hdr" rel="author" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.54902); font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Allison Carney"><span itemprop="author" rel="author" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Allison Carney</span></a></h2>
<div class="subtitle" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 2; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.54902); display: -webkit-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 1.33333; max-height: 3.2rem; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-overflow: ellipsis; top: -5px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 471px;">
Communications Consultant</div>
</div>
<div class="actions" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: right; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap;">
<div class="follow-toggle " data-li-follow-id="60615235" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a class="action-follow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/ngroups/ajax/follow_member?followee=60615235&csrfToken=ajax%3A4438384664949109062" role="button" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 2px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgb(0, 140, 201) 0px 0px 0px 1px inset; box-sizing: border-box; color: #008cc9; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; height: 32px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; outline: 0px; padding: 4px 16px; position: relative; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: middle;">Follow</a></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="article-content" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<h1 class="article-title" itemprop="headline" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 28px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 400; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px 0px 8px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Happily Ever After: Why Nonprofits Should Commit to Communications</h1>
<div class="article-meta" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.54902); font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.42857; margin: 0px 0px 24px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<time class="pub-date" datetime="2015-09-16T00:27:58.000Z" itemprop="datePublished" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Sep 16, 2015</time><ul class="activity-counts" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Comment" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-color: rgb(215, 215, 215); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 20px; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px 12px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 12px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li class="views" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/UserInteraction" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><span class="count" itemprop="UserPageVisits" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">21</span> <span class="label" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">views</span></li>
<li class="likes" itemprop="upvoteCount" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><a class="like-toggle on" data-li-uetrk-el="main-post-like" data-like-count="3" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" role="button" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;" tabindex="0"><svg class="icon"><use data-size="small" xlink:href="#thumbs-up-icon" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"></use></svg><span class="count" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">3</span> <span class="label" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Likes</span></a></li>
<li class="comments" itemprop="commentCount" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><a class="action-comment" href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/happily-ever-after-why-nonprofits-should-commit-allison-carney?trk=hp-feed-article-title-like#comments-8754643385747064068" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.54902); display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: middle;"><svg class="icon"><use data-size="small" xlink:href="#speech-bubble-icon" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"></use></svg><span class="count" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">0</span> <span class="label" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Comments</span></a></li>
</ul>
<ul class="social-shares " style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 20px; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/ShareAction" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle; zoom: 1;"><a class="share-button share-linkedin" data-li-uetrk-click="share-li" data-share-type="linkedin" href="https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fpulse%2Fhappily-ever-after-why-nonprofits-should-commit-allison-carney" itemprop="url" role="button" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.54902); font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span aria-hidden="true" class="icon" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0075b4; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span class="label" itemprop="name" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clip: rect(1px 1px 1px 1px); font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 1px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute !important; vertical-align: baseline; width: 1px;">Share on LinkedIn</span></a></li>
<li itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/ShareAction" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle; zoom: 1;"><a class="share-button share-facebook" data-li-uetrk-action="share" data-li-uetrk-click="share-fb" data-share-type="facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fpulse%2Fhappily-ever-after-why-nonprofits-should-commit-allison-carney&t=Happily%20Ever%20After%3A%20Why%20Nonprofits%20Should%20Commit%20to%20Communications" itemprop="url" role="button" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.54902); font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span aria-hidden="true" class="icon" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #425f9e; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span class="label" itemprop="name" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clip: rect(1px 1px 1px 1px); font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 1px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute !important; vertical-align: baseline; width: 1px;">Share on Facebook</span></a></li>
<li itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/ShareAction" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle; zoom: 1;"><a class="share-button share-twitter" data-li-uetrk-action="share" data-li-uetrk-click="share-twtr" data-share-text="&quot;Happily Ever After: Why Nonprofits Should Commit to Communications&quot; by @ahcarney on @LinkedIn" data-share-type="twitter" href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fpulse%2Fhappily-ever-after-why-nonprofits-should-commit-allison-carney&text=%22Happily%20Ever%20After%3A%20Why%20Nonprofits%20Should%20Commit%20to%20Communications%22%20by%20%40ahcarney%20on%20%40LinkedIn" itemprop="url" role="button" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.54902); font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span aria-hidden="true" class="icon" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #00b5f4; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span class="label" itemprop="name" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clip: rect(1px 1px 1px 1px); font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 1px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute !important; vertical-align: baseline; width: 1px;">Share on Twitter</span></a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="article-body" dir="ltr" itemprop="articleBody" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #232629; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 32px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
It has become common knowledge all nonprofits need to invest in communications. At the very minimum, they need to have a <a href="http://allisoncarney.com/2015/08/25/4-questions-to-ask-when-redesigning-your-nonprofit-website/" rel="nofollow" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #8c68cb; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">website</a> and some messaging. Steps above that may include social media, traditional media relations, branding, e-mail marketing, and much more. But many of these investments are made as a big, one-time investment (i.e. “We need a new website” or “we need a social media strategy”). But the reality is that these investments mean nothing if not paired with ongoing funding.</div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #232629; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 32px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Just like a realtor handing you the keys to your new house, your investment in communications doesn’t end when the site goes live or a strategy is handed to you by a consultant. For a house, you still need to clean the gutters, repaint the exterior, and pray that you don’t need to replace the roof anytime soon. And communications is no different.</div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #232629; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 32px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
One of the best examples of this is in a nonprofit’s website, partly because the rate of change in the web is <a href="http://www.evolutionoftheweb.com/" rel="nofollow" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #8c68cb; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">so extraordinarily fast</a>, but also because your nonprofit is also constantly creating new content, such as events, photos, donation appeals, etc. This content needs to be organized and shared. So even though your nonprofit is creating content, you need a way to organize it, turn it into stories, and communicate it creatively and concisely. And that takes commitment.</div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #232629; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 32px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
For example, if you are a nonprofit employee fighting for funds for your website, a commitment to communications means you need to include line items for maintenance and content creation. Your budget is only $10k? Then tell the person who is creating your site that $8k of that is for the website, and $1k is for maintenance for the next year. And then use the last $1k to make the copy and photos on your website as good as they can be.</div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #232629; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 32px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
One of my friends, <a href="https://twitter.com/eglue?lang=en" rel="nofollow" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #8c68cb; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Ernesto</a> said it best:</div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #232629; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 32px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://twitter.com/eglue/status/643815634468519936" rel="nofollow" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #8c68cb; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><img data-loading-tracked="true" height="182" src="https://media.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/shrinknp_800_800/AAEAAQAAAAAAAAKMAAAAJGU2YmY5ZDNmLTBjOWQtNDg4Mi1iNGFlLTlkMTZhYjk5ZmM4NA.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: inherit; margin: 30px 0px; max-width: 100%; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="585" /></a> Communications is not a one-time fee. Communications is a commitment by your organization to tell your story well, which requires long-term funding and support from the entire organization. Only when you make that commitment, can your nonprofit and its communications live happily ever after.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Kathryn Limahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16963990513613303471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654298519058941398.post-18915243870116979692012-10-18T07:07:00.001-07:002012-10-18T07:07:36.783-07:00<br />
<div id="article-header" style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, 'Nimbus Sans L', sans-serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: 12px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 20px 20px 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">
<h1 class="article-title" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 24px; font-style: inherit; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
3 ways causes & cause marketers must show impact</h1>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>I am happy to share wise words from Katya Andresen. Although this advice may seem self-evident, too many NFPs - small and large - fail to follow it.</i></span> </h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div id="mini-info-bar" style="border: 0px; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">
<div class="mini-info-bar" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a class="author-image" href="http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=6200057&authType=name&authToken=vGSF&goback=%2Empd2_*1_*1_%2F20121017163908*56200057*53*5ways*5causes*5cause*5marketers*5must*5show*5impact&trk=member-photo" style="border: 0px; color: #006699; float: left; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="View Katya Andresen's profile"><img alt="Katya Andresen" height="30" src="http://m.xx.c.akam.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/shrink_30_30/p/2/000/18f/340/20d39e7.jpg" style="border: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="30" /></a><div class="author-details" style="border: 0px; color: #333333; float: left; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a class="profile-link" href="http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=6200057&authType=name&authToken=vGSF&goback=%2Empd2_*1_*1_%2F20121017163908*56200057*53*5ways*5causes*5cause*5marketers*5must*5show*5impact" style="border: 0px; color: #0073b2; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: 30px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Katya Andresen</a></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="article-date" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-image: url(http://static02.linkedin.com/scds/common/u/img/icon/icon_bullet_grey2_4x4.png); background-position: 8px 12px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; color: #666666; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; height: 30px; line-height: 30px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: middle;">
October 17, 2012</div>
</div>
<div id="social-share-actions" style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, 'Nimbus Sans L', sans-serif; font-size: 10px; height: 28px; line-height: 12px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 20px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<ul id="social-gestures-top" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; line-height: 30px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li class="article-card" data-li-article-id="5664374030325526583" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="social-gestures" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<ul class="flat-list" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></ul>
</div>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div id="article-body" style="border-top-color: rgb(230, 230, 230); border-top-style: solid; border-width: 1px 0px 0px; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, 'Nimbus Sans L', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: auto; padding: 10px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
If you work for a cause - or are a cause marketer - you have two basic jobs to do with consumers. The first is to connect them to your cause on an emotional level. Then, once you have their attention, your second job is to assure them their support will make a difference.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
In other words, it's not enough to say you do good. You have to show it. And people have to feel it.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
That doesn't mean consumers want a slew of detailed information about your theory of change or the minutia of your programs. Very few do research on the causes they support. They don't want facts and figures as much as some simple, clear proof that you will do what you say - and that someone's life will be better for those efforts.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
So how do you show impact without overwhelming people with data?</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Some new research holds some interesting insights into how to do just that. <a href="http://www.guidestar.org/rxg/give-to-charity/money-for-good-ii.aspx?utm" style="border: 0px; color: #006699; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">More Money for More Good</a>, a report by <a href="http://www.hopeconsulting.us/" style="border: 0px; color: #006699; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Hope Consulting</a> and <a href="" style="border: 0px; color: #006699; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">GuideSta<span class="underline" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">r</span></a>, focuses on what makes a cause's claims of social change credible. Here are my three recommendations based on the study.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br />1. <strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Provide clear and simple information on how money will be used</strong>. The more tangible, the better. For example: "Buy this backpack and our company donates $1 for school supplies for kids who can't afford them." There is a lot of research showing that specificity boosts giving and purchasing. Vague statements don't work as well - and they fuel skepticism among consumers.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
2. <strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Show, don't just tell.</strong> It's not enough to talk about the problem you're addressing - you need to make clear you have a compelling solution that is making positive change. That means you need to show your impact vividly. Tell stories, use images and draw on the power of video to bring to life the difference being made every day.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
3. <strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Choose your messengers wisely</strong>. The best way to prove you have a positive impact is to get someone else to say it. Endorsements, ratings, seals of approval and testimonials are great ways to build trust with consumers.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
If you are trying to make the world a better place as a nonprofit - or as a company supporting good causes - keep these tips in mind. Clear communication about your impact delights the people supporting you and inspires them to keep on giving in the future.</div>
</div>
Kathryn Limahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16963990513613303471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654298519058941398.post-72876297596761851272012-06-04T11:39:00.001-07:002012-06-04T11:39:26.623-07:00The Process of Landing the BIG Gift<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">A short
article about the gift of $2.5 million by a </span><st1:place style="font-size: 12pt;" w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Pennsylvania</st1:state></st1:place><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> businessman to a regional
environmental group included </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">a description of how the gift came about.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In that are lessons on the process of securing a major gift that anyone
can and should use successfully to secure those significant gifts needed to
fund special projects.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Here is how it
worked for this gift:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 39.75pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 39.75pt; text-indent: -21.75pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">1)<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The donor was
already a regular contributor to the organization. By regular evaluation of loyal donors, the
staff was able to identify those donors who have the wherewithal to make a
larger gift.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 39.75pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 39.75pt; text-indent: -21.75pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">2)<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Over a period of
years, the donor was “cultivated.” That
means that the organization simply got to know him better. Learned why he was a donor. Invited him to special events that reflected
his particular interests. Made him an
“insider.” Sought his advice on issues
and activities. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 39.75pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 39.75pt; text-indent: -21.75pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">3)<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">When the time and
project were right, someone asked for the gift.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">This gift could not have been
accomplished without the effort of getting to know why those who give to an
organization do so. It probably would
not have happened if the donor had not been made to feel personally involved in
the mission of the organization. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">What’s the message? Look over your donor lists. Find ways to get your donors – especially
those who seem to have excellent financial means – personally involved. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Philanthropy should make the
donor as happy as the recipient.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Make
sure that is the case when you seek the big gift.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>Need a short one to two hour consultation? Ask me about rates for both telephone and
in-person consults. Or sponsor ABCs of
Fund Raising! Contact me for a quote to
bring a half-day or full-day seminar to your community. <o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>Kathryn Limahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16963990513613303471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654298519058941398.post-62372503416613250942012-02-20T06:00:00.000-08:002012-02-20T06:00:33.283-08:00Fund Raising – It’s Easy!<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><span style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Are you a fundraiser?</span><span style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Do you help with fund raising events?</span><span style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Are your children members of any clubs or organizations?</span><span style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Are you?</span><span style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Almost everyone is a fundraiser in some fashion.</span><span style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">And most everyone will tell you they hate to have to raise money.</span><span style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">I used to say that myself!</span><span style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">“Asking someone for money? Are you kidding? I’d rather have a root canal!” When I had to sell Girl Scout cookies as a kid, my dad used to help by taking my many unsold boxes to his place of work and selling them to his colleagues. Sound familiar?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">So why are we all so afraid of what is really an easy thing to do? Fund raising is easy! Fund raising is nothing more than asking for help and support. And any not-for-profit organization has, by law, a worthwhile mission that deserves support. Right? When we think about it, how could anyone refuse any appeal for help?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">If that’s the case, why do we have to be asking for money all the time? Don’t we all know we should just send money to all the charitable organizations in our community? Well, fact of the matter is, we don’t. We wait to be asked. And that’s where knowing the ins and outs of fund raising techniques is so important.</div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent">If you – or the clubs and organizations you care about – are having a hard time securing the dollars you need, consider the following:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Are you asking for money?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Are you asking the right people?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Are you asking the right way?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Do you know how to prioritize your time and resources?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Are you using a variety of fund raising techniques?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: .5in; text-indent: .25in;">Some familiarity with a few of the basics of fund raising will help you decide what type of fund raising you can undertake, and get better results from your efforts. The various techniques for raising money include annual appeals, person-to-person asks for major gifts, foundation grants, corporate and business support, special events, and planned gifts. Even if you are simply a volunteer who shows up to help when asked, familiarity with these techniques will help you better understand what the organization you care about is trying to accomplish and how. Who knows, you might even begin to think that fund raising is fun instead of scary!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: .5in;"> Go ahead. Be brave. Help raise some money for a worthy cause. You can do it. It’s easy!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Need a short one to two hour consultation? We offer both telephone and in-person consults at very reasonable rates. Or sponsor ABCs of Fund Raising! Contact me for a quote to bring a half-day or full-day seminar to your community. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>Kathryn Limahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16963990513613303471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654298519058941398.post-43994150635289288422012-02-08T08:08:00.000-08:002012-02-08T08:08:42.189-08:00The Little Old Ladies in Sneakers, And Other Surprise Donors<h1><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-no-proof: yes;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype
id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t"
path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/> <v:formulas> <v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"/> <v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"/> <v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"/> <v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"/> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"/> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"/> <v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"/> <v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"/> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"/> <v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"/> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"/> <v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"/> </v:formulas> <v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"/> <o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"/> </v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_1" o:spid="_x0000_i1025" type="#_x0000_t75"
alt="Faro Enterprises 002" style='width:237.75pt;height:84.75pt;visibility:visible;
mso-wrap-style:square'> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Kathryn\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\03\clip_image001.jpg"
o:title="Faro Enterprises 002"/> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span><strong><span style="color: teal;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></h1><h1><span style="color: teal;"><o:p><span style="font-weight: normal;">w</span></o:p></span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal;">hen Joan Kroc left an extraordinary bequest of over $1.5 billion to the Salvation Army a few years ago, I was reminded of so many stories I’ve heard over the years about even more surprising gifts from less likely prospects.</span></h1><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">In her way, Mrs. Kroc was a surprise donor – despite her great wealth – because of her gender. While her husband was still living, she was frequently overlooked by charities because she was a woman and was treated as a mere conduit to her husband. Woe to those charities – and there were a few – that made that mistake with her! However, she was known to be very rich, and to be philanthropic. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">It’s the “little old ladies in sneakers” that we need to pay attention to. Like the housekeeper who left a $250,000 bequest to a college in Mississippi. Who knew? Well, even if no one knew, she was obviously treated kindly and with respect by university staff, and that paid off!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Many people who live an obviously affluent life style may not have much left over for charity after all the bills are paid. But some people, like a couple I once worked with, hold the greatest potential for bequests and other planned gifts. They were retired schoolteachers who lived modestly, passing under the radar of any fundraiser. Yet, because they had benefitted from the generosity of others when they were children, they had a desire to give back. And their frugal lifestyle made it possible for them to arrange to give my community foundation a cash bequest of over $300,000, and as well as a life estate gift of their home which had an appraised value in excess of $250,000.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Then there was the retired doctor who lived with his wife in a modest apartment near his office, and who gave a small college a gift of over $1 million – the largest gift from a single donor in the school’s history. He was not an alumnus of that college. Yet, because the college development office recognized the signs of a good prospect, and cultivated a relationship, he chose the school over his own alma mater and the hospital where he had spent his career. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">What are the signs of a potential large donor? <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.75pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 18.75pt; text-indent: -18.75pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Does your prospect seem to live exceptionally modestly and/or frugally relative to his/her career?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.75pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 18.75pt; text-indent: -18.75pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Does your prospect have children who are already very successful? One $100,000 gift of stock from a retired schoolteacher was made at the urging of his successful son. Philanthropy is fun, and this son wanted his father to enjoy the results his gift made possible. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.75pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 18.75pt; text-indent: -18.75pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Does your prospect seem to welcome your visits and enjoy activities to which he/she is invited? This is a sign he/she is lonely and welcomes friendship.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.75pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 18.75pt; text-indent: -18.75pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Does your prospect exhibit a real love for your cause? Like the university housekeeper, he/she deserves your attention.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Pay attention to the less than obvious prospects, cultivate them, and – perhaps – you’ll be the next recipient of that large bequest from the surprise donor. Don’t judge a person’s worth by his or her appearance. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i>Need a short one to two hour consultation? We offer both telephone and in-person consults at very reasonable rates. Or sponsor ABCs of Fund Raising! Contact me for a quote to bring a half-day or full-day seminar to your community. <o:p></o:p></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Kathryn Limahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16963990513613303471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654298519058941398.post-61649129767276424542012-01-31T10:18:00.000-08:002012-01-31T10:18:11.167-08:00Is Public Relations Part of your Fund Raising Strategy?<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">We put together a fund raising master plan that includes annual appeals, major donor cultivation, special events, etc. But one thing too many small organizations omit is a public relations strategy!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Oh sure, you get someone to take a photo of the special event committee planning your special event. But do you routinely issue press releases – not only about what you’re doing and new personnel and/or board members, but also about issues of the day that impact your particular mission? <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The better known you are and the better your image is, the more likely you are to obtain gifts from individuals you’ve never even heard. The Boston Foundation many years ago received a multi-million dollar bequest from an anonymous source who had been impressed with the organization’s mission and activities. That’s a public relations payoff!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Here are a few tips:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Make a plan. Set a goal. Perhaps your mission is to find something newsworthy to issue a press release about every week. Don’t overlook what to you might seem mundane. Nothing is too minor!<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Build your media list. It should consist of the e-mail addresses of editors and reporters who cover your category. Don’t know who to send to? Call and ask! <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Don’t omit the broadcast media. I once had a local television reporter call and ask to use my organization for a feature story. She had heard about us from the press releases we regularly sent to her station – even though she had never used any of the stories we had sent.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Just as with prospective donors – cultivate those reporters who routinely cover your category. Get to know them. Ask them what kinds of stories they look for.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">When something related to your mission makes national news, issue a release with a local connection. Local media love to localize a national story. Plus, you’re positioning yourself as an expert in your field.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Include your donors on your media list. They should know what you are telling the public. Remember, this is e-mail and thus costs nothing extra to use a bigger list.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Your media strategy is vital to the overall success of your fund raising. Don’t neglect it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i>Need a short one to two hour consultation? We offer both telephone and in-person consults at very reasonable rates. Or sponsor ABCs of Fund Raising! Contact me for a quote to bring a half-day or full-day seminar to your community. <o:p></o:p></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Kathryn Limahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16963990513613303471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654298519058941398.post-33777020825718206362012-01-25T08:09:00.000-08:002012-01-25T08:09:14.621-08:00Don’t Cross the Line from Persistent to Pesky!<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">What is the difference between persistent and pesky fund raising? One can successfully encourage donors to give and keep on giving while the other can have just the opposite effect. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I believe in frequent contact and repeated requests for donations from current donors. Your best potential for new funds comes from current donors because these people have already demonstrated interest in and support of your mission, and they are more likely to be responsive to requests for additional funds. This is especially true when these requests are for special projects outside your normal operating expenses. So, if you are holding a special event or conducting a capital campaign or looking for those extra dollars to meet a budget shortfall, be sure to include you regular donors on your prospect lists. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Further, when asking for annual renewals, be prepared to send at least three reminders to most regular donors. This allows for the fact that people who fully intend to renew their support will not forget. As you know, sometimes those renewal reminders get misplaced. Follow-up reminders do not offend and are actually appreciated – especially if they are worded appropriately. Your second and third reminders might lead off with something like, “We hope you haven’t forgotten us…” This lets the recipients know that you’re just issuing a friendly reminder.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">There are, however, organizations that go too far. Instead of persistent, they are pesky. I gave to one such organization once, and have never given again, even though I believe in the organization’s mission. They’ve become pesky. For example:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I receive some e-mail almost daily from this group. In addition to clogging my in-box, it always asks for more money. If you are going to send regular e-mails to your donors, space them appropriately and make them informational, not simply requests for extra gifts. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Before my first year was even up I received a renewal contact via telephone. If you use telephone solicitation for renewals, at least give the mail/e-mail route a chance and save the telephone contact after all previous mail contacts have been exhausted. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">And make sure your telephone solicitors are trained to say something that demonstrates this is the last resort. It might begin with something like, “I’m sorry to bother you this way. We have sent you several reminders about renewing your support, and I just wanted to follow up in case those reminders had gotten lost. I can take your renewal right now if it will save you time and trouble…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">If your fund raising crosses the line between persistent and pesky you risk losing more than you gain. Evaluate your processes, your scripts, and your techniques. If you’re not asking often enough, step up the process. And if you’re being a pest, tone down the contacts. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i>Need a short one to two hour consultation? We offer both telephone and in-person consults at very reasonable rates. Or sponsor ABCs of Fund Raising! Contact me at klima@faroenterprises.com for a quote to bring a half-day or full-day seminar to your community. <o:p></o:p></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Kathryn Limahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16963990513613303471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654298519058941398.post-58746251956209860392012-01-18T10:00:00.000-08:002012-01-18T10:00:58.790-08:00Fund Raising – Don’t Put Off Until Tomorrow . . .<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 48px;"><span style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Why did a local social services agency have to face with the proposition of having to cease operations after only two years? </span><span style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">The organization, although only a couple of years old, had all the right things going for it.</span><span style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">It filled an unmet need in the community.</span><span style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">It did not duplicate the services of any other organization.</span><span style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">So, why were they having to close?</span><span style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">What had they failed to do?</span><span style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Why was their existence being threatened?</span><span style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">How can your favorite cause avoid the same fate?</span><span style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 48px;"><span style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Read on.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">This organization was initially formed with a five-year grant from the state. Although nationally affiliated, this was the first chapter in our county and the need for its services were not being met by any other local agency. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">It obtained office space, hired staff – including a social worker – and began operations. Right away a waiting list developed of people in need of this service, and the agency was up and running!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">Then, after only two years of successful operations, this agency learned that its state funding was being terminated due to the state’s poor fiscal condition. Immediately, the social worker was terminated and the agency’s managers began to recruit a volunteer board of directors who would raise money from private sources. Unfortunately, this was too little too late.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"> What did they do wrong? What should they have done differently? Here are a few suggestions that any agency should take heart to avoid making the same mistakes and threatening its mission. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><br />
</div><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">First, they started the program before putting the organizational structure in place. If they had recruited a volunteer board right away, and implemented a cohesive local fund raising plan, when the state funding dried up, they would already have had in place a resource of help, ideas, and community ambassadors to whom they could turn when the going got rough.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Second, they made a dangerous assumption – that the state grant was secure. Consequently, they relied on a single source of income. As any savvy investor knows, diversity is the key. The same applies to fund raising. They should have begun development of a comprehensive fund raising plan immediately. It is important to plan ahead. Even if the state grant had been secure, they should have begun planning for the day the grant ended.</li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent">What’s the message here? Sometimes, in our haste to get started we overlook the importance of laying the groundwork for elements – such as boards and fund raising plans – that need to be in place before we need them! One of the biggest obstacles for successful fund raising is the failure to do today that which you might not need until later. Because when you need it, it may be too late!</div>Kathryn Limahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16963990513613303471noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654298519058941398.post-91478065579444422762012-01-08T12:09:00.000-08:002012-01-08T12:13:22.253-08:00Waste Not those Mail Solicitations<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">In this era of social media, is anyone still using “snail mail” to solicit donations?</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Short answer – yes they are!</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Although not as prevalent as it used to be, real mail, on paper, delivered to the home of a donor or prospective donor remains a valid solicitation technique.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">One of the first rules of sales, marketing, and fundraising, is to use as many different types of communications as one can afford, and that includes direct mail.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">But mail can be expensive. And for that reason, any organization with a limited budget needs to be careful to structure its mail campaigns as efficiently as possible. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">A few years ago I made a memorial gift to an out-of-state charity. For quite a while after that one-time gift, I continued to receive regular correspondence from the organization, including a bi-annual newsletter, which was a very nicely done piece and not inexpensive to mail. However, I never made any follow-up gifts after that single memorial gift, nor do I intend to make additional gifts. This charity was wasting money by keeping me on its mailing list. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Here are a few suggestions to make sure your mailings are worthwhile and likely to elicit contributions:</span> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">1. Regularly examine your mailing list and highlight everyone who has not given a gift in two or more years.</span> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">2. Of that list, highlight those who live out of state and determine why they gave in the first place -- was it a memorial one-time gift? Have they moved away from your service area?</span> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">3. Delete anyone from this list who has never lived in your area and made only one gift.</span> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">4. Send a personal correspondence to anyone who used to give regularly and has stopped. Ask if they wish to continue receiving news of your organization.</span> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">5. Devise an inexpensive communications piece, such as a postcard, to send to those you want to stay "in front of" but who do not give regularly. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Mail remains a viable solicitation tool. Just be sure to maximize that investment and keep your lists up-to-date.</span> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Kathryn Limahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16963990513613303471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654298519058941398.post-92048427192791947812011-12-21T06:46:00.000-08:002011-12-21T06:46:36.611-08:00Try Thinking Like a Business<h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></h2><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Every day business owners have the opportunity to attend – either virtually via webinars or in person – seminars designed to help them improve their businesses. Topics include advice on ways to take their businesses “to the next level” in such areas as technology, social media, marketing, human resources, finance, general management. Could some of this advice also be helpful to not-for- profits? Should NFPs pay more attention to business practices? Why not?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">In a very real sense, NFPs are engaged in business. The product is the mission and/or services offered. And fund raising is sales. NFPs have human resources issues. NFPs need to know about and apply technology for greater efficiency, and even as part of the fund raising plan. Information about bank financing options is also valid. NFPs frequently finance expansion projects and meet cash-flow needs with the assistance of loans and lines of credit. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Leaders in the field note that NFP managers need to realign themselves and what they do: to think entrepreneurially. They should look at the efficiencies of what they already do, consider ways to change the culture of their operations by finding more methodical ways of ‘doing business’ – in other words, by applying an entrepreneurial sense to achieving mission.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">So the next time you have an opportunity to attend a workshop for “business people,” go! You’d be surprised how much you can learn that is applicable to the management of your NFP. <o:p></o:p></span>Kathryn Limahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16963990513613303471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654298519058941398.post-39603745500739561182011-12-07T08:48:00.000-08:002011-12-07T08:48:05.216-08:00Building Partnerships with Business<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
When not-for-profits and business work together, it can be a win/win!<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Many businesses find that philanthropic activities can be a great marketing strategy. It raises positive perceptions, it provides low-cost community exposure, and it creates a relationship between the business and the supporters of a charity. An office supply store attracts business and good will by offering special discounts to school teachers. A restaurant fills tables on slow nights by donating a percent of all sales to a chosen charity. A financial institution sponsors regular giving days on which employees who donate to a named charity are allowed to wear jeans to work. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So, how can your charity benefit from such a partnership? Here are a few ideas to consider.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal">Be proactive.</li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in;">Don’t wait for a business to come to you. Take a partnership idea to a business.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in;"><br />
</div><ol start="2" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal"> Target businesses that have something in common with your supporters.</li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in;">Consider what’s in it for the business – more business, exposure to a targeted market, increased customer loyalty.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in;"><br />
</div><ol start="3" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal">Offer a plan for joint publicity. </li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in;">Be prepared to detail how the relationship will be promoted – press releases, mailings to donors, etc. Ask the business include it in regular advertising and via store posters.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><ol start="4" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal">Rally your supporters to do the requisite shopping/dining/etc.</li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in;">Here’s a way for the people who care about you to help you without spending extra money. They merely acquire an experience, item, etc. they might have had anyway. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">One caveat – pick a reputable partner. Don’t allow your good name to be used – or possibly abused – by someone strictly for their own gain. The goal here is win/win.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Partnerships between not-for-profits and business are very common. If your organization has not explored this relatively painless way to increase funds and exposure, then now’s the time to see if you can add it to your list of fund raising activities.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">Kathryn Lima has over 30 years of experience in marketing, public relations, and fund raising. E-mail your fund raising questions to her at <a href="mailto:klima@faroenterprises.com"><span style="font-weight: normal;">klima@faroenterprises.com</span></a>. </span></strong><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;"><br />
</div>Kathryn Limahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16963990513613303471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654298519058941398.post-15152628447693054992011-12-02T10:31:00.000-08:002011-12-02T10:31:43.583-08:00Fund Raising Tips for Clubs<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">If you belong to a club, you are probably always seeking ways to raise money for your favorite causes. This is a universal issue for many civic clubs. Many years of observations about how clubs raise money and what seems to work or not work, have inspired the following list of tips that should help improve fund raising results and keep members motivated.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">v<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b>Pick a project/theme/cause<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">Ø<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Choose something that relates to the club’s interests<b><o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">Ø<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Partner with an established agency/organization<b><o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">Ø<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Select an aspect that is under funded – don’t be just another “drop in the bucket”<b><o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">v<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b>Set a goal<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">Ø<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Make it realistic</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">Ø<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Make it monetary</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">Ø<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Tie it to an accomplishment, e.g., provide breakfast for 200 children</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">v<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b>Plan a diverse strategy with a timetable<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">Ø<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Should meet needs and abilities of membership</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">Ø<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->E.g., one event, one sales item, one direct contribution effort</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">v<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b>Appoint a chair person and committee for each effort<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">Ø<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Avoids burnout<b><o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">Ø<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Allows for simultaneous planning and implementation of various projects<b><o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">Ø<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Allows members to participate where interests, abilities and time are most conducive<b><o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">v<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b>Publicize, publicize, publicize<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">Ø<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Before, during, and after each event</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">Ø<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->When presenting your gift</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">v<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b>Celebrate</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">Ø<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Allow members to experience joy of making a difference</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">Kathryn Lima has over 30 years experience in marketing, public relations, and fund raising. E-mail your fund raising questions to her at </span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-weight: normal;"><a href="mailto:klima@faroenterprises.com">klima@faroenterprises.com</a></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">. </span></strong><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;"><br />
</div>Kathryn Limahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16963990513613303471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654298519058941398.post-60284898480090960062011-11-15T06:16:00.000-08:002011-11-15T06:16:14.391-08:00Keep those mailing lists up to date...<div class="MsoTitle"><strong>Waste Not those Mail Solicitations</strong></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Every organization that sends requests for donations through the mail faces the same dilemma. The list keeps growing. The costs of printing and postage grow as well. Yet many people on the list have not given in years. What should you do? Should you continue to waste money in printing and postage on people who may not be prospects? What if they have moved? What if they are unhappy with your organization? Or can no longer afford to give every year? Even people who have given only once might need to be reminded of your worthy cause. One never knows when or why they might decide to give again. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Several years ago I made a memorial gift to an out-of-state charity. Although I have not made any follow-up gifts since, I still receive their newsletter -- very nicely done and not inexpensive to print and mail. This charity is wasting money by keeping me on its mailing list. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">If you suspect that you are mailing unprofitable solicitations, consider the following steps: <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Peruse your mailing list and highlight everyone who has not given a gift in two or more years.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Of that list, highlight those who live out of state and determine why they gave in the first place -- was it in memory of a friend or relative who lived in your area? Was it likely a one-time gift? Have they moved away from your service area? <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Delete anyone from this list who has never lived in your area, made only one gift, and has not responded again. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Send a personal correspondence to anyone who used to give regularly and has stopped. Ask if they wish to continue receiving news of your organization. If they respond, keep them on the list. It might even convince the lapsed donor to resume giving. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">For those who have not given in two years or more, but you want to stay "in front of", devise an inexpensive communications piece, such as a postcard, to send annually. The message could be a simple list of the numbers of people you have helped in the preceding year, or new programs you have begun in response to community need. Don’t forget to add a line about how to give!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">If your lapsed donor was a large donor, pick up the phone and schedule an appointment. You really want to know why your more generous donors ($500 or more) have quit giving!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Evaluate the names on your mailing list regularly. It’s time well spent!<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><strong>Kathryn Lima, founder of Faro Enterprises, is a consultant with over 30 years experience in marketing, public relations, and fundraising. Send your questions about fundraising to her via e-mail – klima@faroenterprises.com. </strong></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Kathryn Limahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16963990513613303471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654298519058941398.post-22387223234483325492011-11-10T13:22:00.000-08:002011-11-10T13:22:14.417-08:00Tips for a Successful Ask<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Boulder; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype
id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t"
path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/> <v:formulas> <v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"/> <v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"/> <v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"/> <v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"/> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"/> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"/> <v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"/> <v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"/> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"/> <v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"/> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"/> <v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"/> </v:formulas> <v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"/> <o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"/> </v:shapetype><v:shape id="_x0000_i1025" type="#_x0000_t75" style='width:237.75pt;
height:61.5pt' fillcolor="window"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Kathryn\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.jpg"
o:title="Faro Enterprises 003"/> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Boulder; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Look that Prospective Donor in the Eye and Say…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Boulder; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">If you ask, you might fail. But if you don't ask, you certainly fail.</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Asking for money strikes fear in the hearts of most volunteers, usually because they fear failure. In addition to constantly reminding yourself that the worst that can happen is the prospect will say "no," there are some basic steps you can take to increase the likelihood of success. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> <i>First, know your prospect.</i> What, if any, is his/her interest in your cause? If it’s a business, what benefit can the business derive by supporting your organization? Just because a person can afford to give, and just because a person gives generously to other causes, doesn't mean that he or she will give to you. What are his/her interests, motivations or desires? Before making a fundraising call on an individual or business, learn as much as possible about the person who will make the decision.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> <i>Select the right solicitor.</i> In general, people give to people, NOT to causes. Your chances of success are greatly increased if the solicitor is known to the prospect. As a volunteer, try to pick prospects you know -- or who know you. But, if you do not know the prospect, spend some time getting acquainted. Share why you are a volunteer, why you think your cause is important, and, especially, WHY YOU SUPPORT THIS ORGANIZATION!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> <i>Know what you want, how much, and why you think the prospect would want to participate.</i> Be sure to specify an amount. Avoid the temptation to ask for “...whatever you might contribute.” And, it's better to ask for too much than too little. You can always reduce your request ("... if that's too much, would you consider $___ ?"), but you can't raise it after you realize you might have asked for too little. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> Most prospects are expecting to be asked to participate, and have usually made a decision before you arrive. Very seldom (never say “never”) will a prospect say, “Actually, I was thinking of a higher amount.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Just because a prospect says "no" the first time, doesn't mean the answer will always be the same.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> Listen very carefully to what the prospect has to say. Find ways to inform, interest, and get that person involved in your activities. Cultivate a relationship. When the time, circumstances and/or reason are right, ask again.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><strong>Kathryn Lima, founder of Faro Enterprises, is a consultant with over 30 years experience in marketing, public relations, and fundraising. Send your questions about fundraising to her via email to <a href="mailto:klima@faroenterprises.com"><span style="font-weight: normal;">klima@faroenterprises.com</span></a>. </strong><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>Kathryn Limahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16963990513613303471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654298519058941398.post-9766761544995002492011-11-06T08:10:00.000-08:002011-11-06T08:10:18.119-08:00Improve your fundraising results. Take the test.<div class="MsoNormal"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600"
o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f"
stroked="f"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/> <v:formulas> <v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"/> <v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"/> <v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"/> <v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"/> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"/> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"/> <v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"/> <v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"/> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"/> <v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"/> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"/> <v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"/> </v:formulas> <v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"/> <o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"/> </v:shapetype><v:shape id="_x0000_i1025" type="#_x0000_t75" style='width:237.75pt;
height:61.5pt' fillcolor="window"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Kathryn\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.jpg"
o:title="Faro Enterprises 003"/> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent">If you sit on the board of a not-or-profit that has trouble raising money, perhaps it’s because your group has not done a good job of defining what it does and why it deserves support. Or perhaps it’s because there are too many other groups doing the same thing. Or perhaps it’s because you are asking the wrong people. There are a number of reasons seemingly worthwhile causes fail to garner the support they need. Here is a test every board or support organization should take to help better define what they do, and how they fit into the local community. </div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: center;">Know yourself and your community!</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: .5in;">Why would anyone want to contribute to your organization? Try to see yourself as others see you. Spend some time with board members and key volunteers answering these questions. The answers will help you better define your mission as well as understand who you are and why you deserve support. They will also help you target your most likely donors – persons and organizations that care about what you do and its value to the community.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Viner Hand ITC";">1)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></i><!--[endif]-->What do you do? Who benefits? <u>If you cease to exist, why would you be missed?</u> Who would miss you? (<i>The answer to these questions will lead you to the right prospective donors.)</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Viner Hand ITC";">2)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></i><!--[endif]-->Who else does what you do? How are they the same? How are they different? In your community, are there potential collaborators for joint projects? Joint grants? </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Viner Hand ITC";">3)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></i><!--[endif]-->What's missing? What do you need? What is your vision?</div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="margin-top: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">In fulfillment of your mission, what <u>should</u> you be doing but can not due to lack of resources? How would adding this to your list of services benefit those you serve? The community? Is anyone else providing this service?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Viner Hand ITC";">4)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></i><!--[endif]-->Complete this sentence:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-left: .75in; text-align: justify;">If we had an extra $__________ per year, we could ________________________!</div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="margin-top: 6.0pt;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">(Note: Complete this sentence with a mission-related goal, e.g., feed more children, or expand literacy services.)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Viner Hand ITC";">5)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></i><!--[endif]-->Where do you get most of your money now?</div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="margin-top: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">What fund raising activities do you do regularly? Can this/these activities be improved? Can the amount raised be increased? What other fundraising activities have you tried? Successful? Why or why not? Where do you think you might find "untapped" resources?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Viner Hand ITC";">6)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></i><!--[endif]-->What are your volunteer resources?</div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="margin-top: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Who is on your board? Who uses your facility? Who are your willing workers? Who knows both your organization and your community? Who is willing to speak on your behalf?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Viner Hand ITC";">7)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></i><!--[endif]-->What are your fund raising goals? </div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="margin-top: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">To increase the annual budget? To fund specific projects? To purchase capital equipment? To offset funding reductions and maintain current level of service? To expand your mission?</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"> </div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"># # #</div><div class="MsoNormal"><strong>Kathryn Lima, founder of Faro Enterprises, is a consultant with over 30 years experience in marketing, public relations, and fundraising. Send your questions about fundraising to her via email to <a href="mailto:klima@faroenterprises.com"><span style="font-weight: normal;">klima@faroenterprises.com</span></a>. </strong><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoHeader"><br />
</div>Kathryn Limahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16963990513613303471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654298519058941398.post-30189468686797154852011-11-02T09:14:00.000-07:002011-11-02T09:14:20.156-07:00Unusual locations inspire successful special events<div class="MsoNormal"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600"
o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f"
stroked="f"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/> <v:formulas> <v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"/> <v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"/> <v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"/> <v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"/> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"/> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"/> <v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"/> <v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"/> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"/> <v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"/> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"/> <v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"/> </v:formulas> <v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"/> <o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"/> </v:shapetype><v:shape id="_x0000_i1025" type="#_x0000_t75" style='width:237.75pt;
height:61.5pt' fillcolor="window"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Kathryn\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.jpg"
o:title="Faro Enterprises 003"/> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">For a Successful Fund Raising Event, Consider Location, Location, Location</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">Many people raise money by hosting a special event. Usually it is some sort of banquet, dance, or both in the local hotel ballroom or country club. No wonder attendance seems to decline every year! Boooorrrrrriiiinnnggg! If your group depends on such an event for a large portion of its revenue, consider a change of venue. Here are a few examples of events that succeeded because of location:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->In a small town in Missouri, the local chapter of the American Heart Association scored big by staging not one event, but twenty – all within a two-week period. Each private “dinner party” was hosted in a sponsor’s home. Area residents purchased tickets to the party and/or event they wished to attend. The events ranged from casual barbeques for up to 100 at an area farm, to formal dinners for six with live, classical music. And the event stayed fresh because every year the range of parties, venues, and ideas changed!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Another group of dedicated volunteers staged a memorable “Phantom of the Opera” party. Although timely at the time, the real success of the event was due to the location – in a large Victorian mansion made available for the occasion by its generous owners.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->One not-for-profit can help another when the local museum is the site of an event. The Carnegie Museums in Pittsburgh actually advertise the space in their four facilities as a perfect venue for private parties. Many small-to-medium sized museums can even arrange for catering. It’s a nice source of extra revenue (and exposure) for the museum, and a location with a difference for the sponsor.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->How about a Texas-style ho-down in a large barn? Nice casual, fun atmosphere and, if pasture space allows, an opportunity to make a few extra dollars with a rousing game of Cow Pasture Bingo.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->One group planned to host a Mississippi River Boat theme event in the courtyard of a small, enclosed shopping mall. The foyer of an office building might work as well if the décor supports the theme.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: list .75in;">When it comes to special events that make people want to attend, choosing an unusual location adds interest to the event, and dollars to the cause. Just make sure that all the other elements are in place as well: The event is fun. The committee has fun planning and hosting. The event is well planned and executed. The people who attend look forward to next year!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"> </div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><strong>Kathryn Lima, founder of Faro Enterprises, is a consultant with over 30 years experience in marketing, public relations, and fundraising. Send your questions about fundraising to her via email to <a href="mailto:klima@faroenterprises.com"><span style="font-weight: normal;">klima@faroenterprises.com</span></a>. </strong><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Kathryn Limahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16963990513613303471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654298519058941398.post-28501227450268456812011-11-01T07:30:00.000-07:002011-11-01T07:30:11.430-07:00Successful not-for-profits plan for the future<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Fund Raising – Don’t Put Off Until Tomorrow . . .</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">Sometimes even valuable agencies go out of business due to a failure to plan for the future. One example is a now former local social services agency in my county. The organization was forced to cease operations after only a couple of years, even though it seemed to have all the right things going for it. It filled an unmet need in the community. It did not duplicate the services of any other organization. What had the leadership failed to do? Why was did the organization fail? How can your favorite cause avoid the same fate? Read on.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">This organization was formed with a five-year grant from the state. Although nationally affiliated, this was the first chapter in our county and the need for its services were not being met by any other local agency. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">Using the state grant money, it obtained office space, hired staff – including a social worker – and began operations. Right away a waiting list developed of people in need of this service, and the agency was up and running!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">Two years later it learned that its state funding was being terminated due to the state’s poor fiscal condition. With that news, the organization's leaders immediately terminated the social worker and began to recruit a volunteer board of directors who could help raise money from private sources. It was too little too late.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"> What did they do wrong? What should they have done differently? Here are a few suggestions that you should consider and share with any agency in which you are involved that seems to be making the same mistakes.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->First, they started the program before putting the organizational structure in place. If they had recruited a volunteer board right away, they would already have had a resource of help, ideas, and community ambassadors they could turn to when the going got rough.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Second, they made a dangerous assumption – that the state grant was secure. Consequently, they relied on a single source of income. As any savvy investor knows, diversity is the key. The same applies to fund raising. They should have begun development of a comprehensive fund raising plan immediately. It is important to plan ahead. Even if the state grant had been secure, they should have begun planning for the day the grant ended.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent">What’s the message here? Sometimes, in our haste to get started we overlook the importance of laying the groundwork for elements – such as boards and fund raising plans – that need to be in place before we need them! One of the biggest obstacles for successful fund raising is the failure to do today that which you might not need until later. Because when you need it, it may be too late!</div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><strong>Kathryn Lima, founder of Faro Enterprises, is a consultant with over 30 years experience in marketing, public relations, and fundraising. Send your questions about fundraising to her via e-mail – </strong>klima@faroenterprises.com<b>. Her web address is </b><a href="http://www.faroenterprises.com/" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">www.faroenterprises.com</span></a><b>. </b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>Kathryn Limahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16963990513613303471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654298519058941398.post-42233110755319243152011-10-28T12:21:00.000-07:002011-10-28T12:21:10.318-07:00Characteristics of a Successful Fundraiser<h2><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal;">Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal;">We make a life by what we give.”</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal;">A good fundraiser is generally a positive person who sees his/her profession as helping others make a life!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal;"> </span></h2><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">In addition to that positive attitude, there are five key qualities that I have found make for a successful fundraiser. I think these traits are more important than experience and formal training. A successful fundraiser is:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Passionate<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Asking for money is difficult. But if the person doing the asking – or directing the process – is passionate about the cause, that passion comes through, is infectious, and results in more and larger gifts. In addition, passion is what keeps one going when all seems lost.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Nosey<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Good fund raising means matching the right prospective donor with your cause. A good fundraiser pays attention to what people say, how they live, who they know, and every other seemingly trivial aspect of a person’s life. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">3. Fearless<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">In my seminars, I deal most often with fear – the fear of asking, the fear of rejection. A good fundraiser is fearless in the face of overwhelming odds. A good fundraiser has the attitude of, “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Creative<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">A good fundraiser uses creativity to forge a win/win relationship. Too late to get a challenge grant? How about a grant that recognizes the funds raised to date – as a reward? I took that approach once and it allowed my group to get a campaign-finishing grant that had seemed hopeless after our visit to the foundation.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Persistent<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Even if the first answer is “no,” a good fundraiser continues to learn more about that prospect, seeks ways to involve the prospect in the organization, tries to understand the motivation for the initial “no”, and continues to seek opportunities to ask again. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><strong>Kathryn Lima has over 30 years experience in marketing, public relations, and fund raising. E-mail your fund raising questions to her at </strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="mailto:klima@faroenterprises.com">klima@faroenterprises.com</a></span>. </strong></div><div class="MsoNormal"><strong>Happy Fund Raising!</strong> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i>Kathryn Lima</i></b><br />
Faro Enterprises<br />
724-981-4318<br />
<a href="http://www.faroenterprises.com/">http://www.faroenterprises.com/</a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Kathryn Limahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16963990513613303471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654298519058941398.post-10430938342015916232011-10-23T11:48:00.000-07:002011-10-23T11:48:36.303-07:00Maximize profits from your special event<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">A Sad Tale</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">On a recent visit to Massachusetts, I read a very up-beat story in the local paper about a fund raising event that attracted 400 people, garnered excellent attention to the sponsor and the issue, and raised $3,000.<span> </span>That made me very sad.<span> </span>Here’s why.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">Over the years I have worked on many fund raising events – some more successful than others.<span> </span>But to work as hard as this group had to work, and to have as successful an event as they had – gee, 400 participants – and earn only $3,000, is not a worthwhile use of people’s time and efforts.<span> </span>Especially when they knew in advance how much they needed to raise – only $12,000 – and did not plan how to do that.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .25in;">Too many willing workers and dedicated volunteers participate in fund raising events where the only goal is to “…raise as much as we can.”<span> </span>So what do they need to do differently?<span> </span>Here are a few tips:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span>·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b>Set goals.</b><span> </span>You can’t measure your success if you don’t know what you were trying to achieve.<span> </span>In the case cited above, the group was trying to cover a funding shortfall of $12,000.<span> </span>I know of many smaller that raise that amount and more.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span>·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b>Solicit corporate sponsors.</b><span> </span>Start with the businesses with whom you do business.<span> </span>They will consider it a way of saying, “thank you” for the business you give them.<span> </span>Price the sponsorship in proportion to the amount you are trying to raise – another reason setting goals is so important. – and create levels of sponsorship.<span> </span>Each level will receive a different level of recognition at the event.<span> </span>After your vendors, ask businesses that are interested in doing business with the people who will attend your event.<span> </span>For example, the women’s golf outing attracts sponsors who want to do business with women.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span>·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b>Get services donated.</b><span> </span>Reduce your expenses by asking for donated or reduced price services, such as printing, food, door prizes, etc.<span> </span>Recognize donors like sponsors – in proportion to the value of the gift.<span> </span>Remember, any service that is donated reduces expenses, and increases revenue.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span>·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b>Add other revenue generating activities to the event.</b><span> </span>Don’t rely on ticket sales alone.<span> </span>Have silent auctions with donated items, sell chances (if you are allowed) for drawings – again on donated merchandise.<span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span>·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b>Make sure ticket prices cover expenses.<span> </span></b>Once you’ve calculated how much your expenses will be, calculate the cost per attendee, then price tickets accordingly or reduce expenses via donated goods and services.<span> </span>Sometimes a higher ticket price will add a touch of glamour to an event and attract even more people.<span> </span>I have seen people in a relatively small, slightly rural community pay $75 per person to attend a black tie auction where they would be expected to spend even more during the course of the evening.<span> </span>The price per ticket just about covered per person expenses, and the profits were made from the auction.<span> </span>(By the way, this event in Missouri in 1985 netted almost $100,000 from a single event.<span> </span>I was there!)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: .25in;">Remember, fund raising events require a lot of work.<span> </span>Be sure the end results are worth the extra effort.</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;"># # #</div><div class="MsoNormal"><strong>Kathryn Lima, founder of Faro Enterprises, is a consultant with over 30 years experience in marketing, public relations, and fundraising.<span> </span>Send your questions about fundraising to her via email to <a href="mailto:klima@faroenterprises.com"><span>klima@faroenterprises.com</span></a>.<span> </span></strong><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoHeader"><br />
</div>Kathryn Limahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16963990513613303471noreply@blogger.com0