Winter Wonderland Clairity Click-it: Nonprofit Links, Free Resources
The people have spoken! You’d like more original articles from me, and you still want curated resources and links to free stuff and great training opportunities, and you’d like about the same number of emails.
So… I’m moving the “Click-it” to twice/month to make space for more original articles. And, as promised, this year I’ll be organizing the curated resources according to the “Dive the Five” fundamental principles we’ll be discussing in our ongoing virtual fundraising curriculum. Nail these, and you’ll succeed in 2016. As a reminder, they’re:
- Major Gifts
- Donor Retention
- Social Media
- Content Marketing
- Culture of Philanthropy
Just as I use these “buckets” as an organizing framework for my “Click-its,” I hope you’ll use them to organize your development efforts this year as well.
And, of course, I’ll add in other subjects and offer you additional food for thought that I just can’t help but share with you. Plus, as always, if you scroll to the bottom you’ll find free resources and upcoming learning opportunities.
Major Gifts
Click-it: A Major Donor Tells You How to Ask. The Veritus blog brings us this wisdom from a major donor who tells you exactly what she wants from you before she’ll be willing to consider a major investment with your nonprofit. How about this: “If you haven’t tried to get to know who I am, I will not meet with you to talk about giving.” And this: “If someone is bringing me a project for which they want a very large gift (in the five or six figures), they better know what I’m passionate about.” Good stuff.
Donor Retention
Click-it: The New Donor Pyramid. I’ve written in the past about it being time to retire the traditional donor pyramid. One of the reasons? Nonprofits are losing more than 80% of donors before they ever climb up this proverbial ladder! Check out this post by Beth-Ann Locke about a new relationship-building model, and let us know what you think.
Social Media
Click-it: 4 Lessons Nonprofits Can Learn From Bernie Sanders’ Fundraising Strategy. If you’re not yet sold on the need for online social fundraising, check out this article by Katt Boogaard on the CauseVox blog. Major gifts are super important, but you can’t ignore smaller donations in a digitally revolutionized world.
Content Marketing
Click-it: 5 Foolproof Ways to Successful Storytelling That Raise Money. If you missed my article this week on NonProfit PRO, this is your chance to learn why storytelling is your ultimate content marketing tool. Master this, and I guarantee you’ll raise more money.
Culture of Philanthropy
Click-it: Donor centricity is easy, but it’s not. By now you’re probably sold on the idea that a culture of philanthropy – a donor-centered, service-oriented culture – is a good thing. But how do you get there? Check out this article by Paul Delbar on the 101 Fundraising blog for four tips – all great thought provokers.
More Food for Thought
Click-it: A Stanford professor says eliminating 2 phrases from your vocabulary can make you more successful. This article from Business Insider tells a truth I had to learn the hard way. I once had a difficult boss who sat me down and said “Claire, I’m going to give you one phrase that will change your life.” I thought this sounded exceedingly pompous, especially as he proceeded to lean forward, stare directly at me and slowly articulate “Both/And.” Argh! I was so annoyed (at the time). Now I realize he was right. As a substitute for “Yes/But” this wins hands down. Check out the article. Simple and true.
Click-it: The Art of the Rebrand: When, Why and How to Rebrand Your Nonprofit. If you’re a new organization, or if you’re at a transition where something significant about your nonprofit has changed, it’s time to think about branding. Having clarity, organization-wide, as to your unique selling and feeling propositions is essential if you’re going to be able to survive, thrive and make your greatest impact. Check out this article by Sean Norris of NonProfit Pro.
Click-it: How to Fire a Toxic Board Member. In my article this week I discussed the too often dysfunctional nature of nonprofit boards. This article by Joan Garry pairs nicely with it. Good food for thought if you’ve got a “situation” about which you know you need to do something.
FREE RESOURCES
Fundraising
Click-it: The Art and Science of Retaining Digital Donors [Free E-Book] A helpful guide from Bloomerang to ensure you thank, engage and retain your hard-won supporters who’ve given to you online.
Marketing Communications
Click-it: Mobile Login Best Practices [Free Whitepaper]. This comes from the folks at Janrain and it’s filled with useful examples, screen shots and checklists you must read if you’re trying to get people to fill out ANYTHING on your website. Have your IT/tech/web team read it too, so you’re on the same page.
Career Development
Click-it: 5 Tips to Write the Ultimate Fundraising Cover Letter. Mazarine Treyz is offering this free webinar to help you stand out. It may also help you write a winning appeal letter! Click the link to register – it’s March 9 at 12:00 p.m. PST.
Click-it: Virtual Fundraising Career Conference — April 6 – 8, 2016. Okay, this isn’t free, but it’s very low cost for the value you get in return ($5.58 per webinar). You will also receive recordings of every webinar so you can view them at your convenience. There’s something here for everyone, at every point in your career (interviewing, transitioning, negotiating salary, boundaries, self-care, building a philanthropy culture and more). I am proud to contribute one of 12 expert-led sessions, including:
- Parse Your Team Out by Strengths and Become a Better Leader -Kishshana Palmer, CFRE
- You Deserve A Raise Today-Getting what you want in salary and raise negotiations with Marc Pitman and Meghan Godorov
- Quick, How Can I Be a Successful Nonprofit Consultant? Panel presentation
- How to create a culture of philanthropy (as a fundraiser) -Linda Lysakowski, ACFRE
- How YOU can move from small to large organizations with John Urschel
- The Quick Easy Way to Get Your Next Fundraising Job with Phil Gérard
- How to Interview Strong for a Fundraising Role – Claire Axelrad, JD, CFRE (Yours truly!)
- How to Find the Best Nonprofit Fundraising Job for YOU – Abbi L. Haggerty Ph.D.
- Let’s Talk Rest and Satisfaction in Work -Pearl Waldorf
- How to Develop Better Boundaries in the Nonprofit Workplace – Sheena Greer
- Sick and Stressed out? Your Nonprofit Work and Your Health -Victoria Albina, FNP-C, MPH
- Fundraisers, Their Careers, Stories, Concerns and Accomplishments -Sarah K. Nathan Ph.D.
The Clairity Click-it is a bi-monthly publication linking to useful resources and insights I find across the web. My selections are inspired by 7 Clairification Keys to Unlock Your Nonprofit’s Fundraising Potential . This year I’m also selecting articles that highlight the “Dive the Five” 2016 fundraising fundamentals we’ll be digging into in depth over the course of this year. For more on this, read Want to Guarantee Fundraising Success? Dive These 5 Fundamentals on NonProfit Pro.
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Photo: Flickr, Isaac Torronterra
