Dec82013
Big-picture-of-universe-300x236.jpg

How the ‘It’s Not My Job’ Syndrome Pervades Nonprofits and Kills Fundraising

 

Philanthropy, Not Fundraising

Are you confident your employees – all of them – are fully engaged in your mission so they don’t bungle openings to turn inquiries into interest, interest into involvement and involvement into investment? Do your workers just do their job, or do they understand their real job to be part of your greater vision-focused undertaking?

Unless you’ve created a culture of philanthropy in your organization – one where everyone who works there is fully informed and passionate about your work and the values you enact in the community – then you’re inevitably going to blow opportunities to garner vital support. Under-informed workers lead to disengaged workers. Disengaged workers lead to disengaged constituents.  And here’s how it happens.

Details
6 CommentsCulture & Values
Dec62013

Clairity Click-it: Compel, Kvell, Sell – Your 3 Keys to Year-End Fundraising Success

This week it’s about the three things that will boost your year-end giving: (1) social media done well will drive awareness of your cause and the current opportunity to make an impact; (2) creative, compelling content presented in the form of a story will trigger emotions that inspire philanthropy, and (3) your user-friendly, up-to-date website will make it easy for would-be donors to connect with you, donate and then continue to stay connected – and feel good about it – over time. This week’s links will give you food for thought – plus actionable tips.

Details
Leave a commentClairity Click-it
Nov292013

Clairity Click-it: All About Gratitude

This week it’s all about gratitude. It’s that thanksgiving time of year when we give gratitude for our blessings and think about those who have not been as fortunately blessed. The greatest blessing for nonprofits is the donors who make it possible to fulfill our missions and strive towards our visions. Let’s channel an attitude of gratitude this month and give meaningful thanks to those upon whose generosity we rely. This week’s links will give you food for thought – plus actionable tips.

Details
Leave a commentClairity Click-it

THANKS(for)GIVING: 8 Mistakes Nonprofits Make When Thanking Donors


Are you focused on the gift or the giver?
Thanking donors is the one thing most nonprofits do not spend enough time thinking about. Too often I find that staff spend 95% of their time crafting the fundraising appeal and getting embroiled in project management – design; layout; printing, postage, etc.  Finally, the letter (or e-appeal) is ready to launch.  The mailing is dropped/the button is punched and… voila!  Gifts start to arrive!  But then what?!
Details
6 CommentsDonor Retention
Nov212013

Clairity Click-it: Focus Your Appeals, Smart Crowd Funding, Marketing and Social Media Trends

Because people are SO busy at this time of year, and SO bombarded with messages, you’ve got to focus… stand out… target the right audiences in the right places… and invest the resources to do it right.  This week’s links will give you some fuel for your marketing and fundraising engine, for year-end and beyond!

Details
Leave a commentClairity Click-it
Nov142013

Clairity Click-it: Invest in Fundraising, Fundraise, Thank and Steward

Are you muddling along because you don’t have the resources you need  to invigorate your fundraising? Are you working hard, but maybe not so smart?  Are you making the most of opportunities to steward donors so they’ll repeat their gifts?  And what about your donor thank you’s – are they good enough to get you a second gift?  Take a look at this week’s links if you could use help in any of these areas.

Details
Leave a commentClairity Click-it