Winter Wonderland Clairity Click-it: Nonprofit Links, Free Resources
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Invest in Fundraising
This end of July (can you believe it?) Clairity Click-it brings a lot of great tips about how to plan ahead to take your fundraising to new heights next year. We start with resources, move on to thinking about measuring success, and then end with three core programs every development program should have in place: Donor Retention, Annual Fund and Major Gifts. You’ve got just about a month to get your ducks in order before prime fundraising season begins. To your success!
Click-It: 3 Ways to Encourage Your Organization to Invest in Fundraising. This article by Pamela Barden in Fundraising Success couldn’t be more on point. You’ve got to spend money to make money. As the article notes: “Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani said, “Hope is not a strategy.” Yet, board members and some executives at nonprofit organizations sometimes seem convinced that money will come in, even without investment in fundraising — a strategy of hope if there ever was one.” If your culture is one of slash and burn (you know, let’s do more with the same amount of people,or fewer!) you should read this article.
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Social Media Measurement
Click-It: My Big Fat Problem With Social Media Measurement. Julia Campbell outlines the right and wrong way to measure the effectiveness of your social media strategies. Are you checking ‘follows’ or donations? Facebook ‘likes’ or email sign-ups? If what you’re doing is “trying to raise awareness” there’s a problem with this strategy. Read the article to learn what’s wrong with what you’re doing.
Donor Retention
Click-It: How Your Organization Should Follow Up with Donors, According to Donors. Allison Gauss writes on the Stay Classy blog about the results of a new survey of American adults about how they want to be engaged after they make a charitable gift. Find out what to do – right from the mouths of donors! By the way, the survey was done by Software Advice, which also offers a useful synopsis of the top 10 donor management software systems.
Annual Fund
Click-It: New study highlights value of annual funds for nonprofits. I confess that the new report by the Nonprofit Research Collaborative on the value of annual fund campaigns makes me say “DUH!” But, if for any reason your organization does not run an annual campaign (perhaps you do all your fundraising via events… or just ask for donations when you have a particular need at hand) then you should read this article posted by Miratel Solutions.
Major Gifts
Click-It: Exactly How and Why to Use a Pre-Call Letter with a Donor. This article from Amy Eisenstein outlines a way to make major donor prospects more receptive to your call. You want to be up front about your purpose, and Amy outlines three reasons you can give to people about why you’re planning on calling them (many folks pre-screen calls these days, so you want to make them comfortable about picking up).
Speaking of Major Gifts…
The new Clairification Major Gifts Playbook includes 4 separate Guides. They work as stand-alones as well as companion pieces. If you’re new to major gifts, get ‘em all at the “Bundle Bargain” discount . Have a specific area that’s proving to be a stumbling block? Buy one or two that meet your precise needs.
I stand by my products. If you’re not happy for any reason, let me know and you’ll get a full refund. Wishing you all the best… and have a terrific week-end!
Photo: Flickr, Isaac Torronterra
