Clairity Click-it: Dive the Five Fundraising Fundamentals

Click it!

 

This year I’ll be sharing a lot of resources related to the “Dive the Five” fundamental principles we’ll be discussing in our ongoing virtual fundraising curriculum. You remember them, don’t you?

1. Major Gifts
2. Donor Retention
3. Social Media
4. Content Marketing
5. Culture of Philanthropy

I want you to use these “buckets” as an organizing framework for your development efforts this year, so I’m organizing my “Click-its” this way as well.

From time to time I’ll add in other subjects and offer you some food for thought that I just can’t help but share with you. And, as always, if you scroll to the bottom you’ll find some free resources and upcoming learning opportunities.

Major Gifts

Click-it: How to Build a Digital Major Gifts Program. In 2016 all donors are online; using email and social media to cultivate and steward major donor prospects and donors just makes sense. Here Justin Ware cites data that tells us the more money a person has, the more likely it is they are engaged online and via social media. Then he offers up some tips for injecting digital energy into your traditional major gifts program. There’s also a link to a webinar you can download if you’re an auditory learner.

Donor Retention

Click-it: Thank You Letters — The Good, The OK and the Ugly! Rory Green offers up some findings showing what fundraisers are doing well, and not so well, to show donors their gratitude. You’ll find some great examples of what works. Plus there’s a link to a Donor Love Test (inspired by Jen Love of Agents of Good) so you can see how your letter stacks up.

Social Media

Click-it: Why Nonprofits Fail at Social Media—and How to Do it Better. This article shares some particularly good examples of tweets that do a great job at branding the organization and getting folks to share the experience.

Click-it: 24 Ways to Use Pinterest Trends to Drive Fundraising and Cause Awareness. I wrote this for the Maximize Social Business blog because I truly believe Pinterest can be a fabulous way for nonprofits to brand themselves and interact with their constituents. Are you doing Pinterest? Lots of nonprofits are! Feel free to also check out my Pinterest boards “Pinteresting Fundraising” and “Pinteresting Nonprofit Business.” And please share these with your friends!

Content Marketing

Click-it: Authentic Marketers Don’t Control the Conversation. Kim Garst on HuffPost Business lays out why push marketing no longer works. You need to be where your constituents are already talking about your issues, and then participate actively in the conversation. It’s very different than trying to control the conversation.

Culture of Philanthropy

Click-it: Building a Culture of Philanthropy in Your Organization. What is a culture of philanthropy and why do you need one? Simone Joyaux, writing for Nonprofit Quarterly, gives the answer in this article. Here’s one little tidbit: “Everyone in the organization embraces customer-centered and donor-centered…not just mission-centered and client-centered. Everyone in the organization, from the janitor to the chair of the board, understands that philanthropy and fund development are critical to organizational health and that each individual (both the janitor and board chair) has a role in the process.” Is this true for your organization?

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: This App Will Put an End to All Those Awkward Brainstorming Meetings Your Boss Loves. Looking for a new way to generate ideas that won’t be dominated by the loudest person in the room? Or susceptible to groupthink? Check out this article from The Muse about Attentiv software (BTW: I don’t receive remuneration for, nor do I endorse, specific products, but this looks interesting. Maybe it just grabbed my attention with this: “While the app can’t make Jack show up on time for once, it can give someone other than Claire a chance to voice his or her opinions—which means your brainstorming meetings will definitely get better. ”  How did they know I’m a bit opinionated?!).

FREE RESOURCES

Fundraising

Click-it: Fundraising Event Ideas from A to Z. Get your free list of event ideas from Mobile Cause. There are over 30 here, and they add to it regularly. They also offer a free downloadable e-book: Step By Step Dynamic Event Fundraising Setup Guide. Caveat: Remember to be clear what your goal is with your event, and assure you put steps in place – before, during and after — to assure you meet that goal.

Click-it: Peer Fundraising Campaign Planner. Download this free campaign “cheat sheet” from Network for Good to (1) create goals and timeline; (2) identify/recruit fundraisers; (3) write effective messages, and (4) measure and track campaign success.

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. You’ll also want to check out the upcoming Fundraising Career Conference. OK this isn’t free but it’s very low cost for the value you get in return. I am proud to contribute one of 12 expert-led sessions, including Tom Ahern, Marc Pitman, Lynda Lysakowski, Mazarine Treyz and more, at this amazing online conference – April 6 – 8, 2016. It’s all designed to help you move up in your nonprofit career.

Photo: Flickr, Isaac Torronterra