Archives:

Spring Cleaning Clairity Click-it: Useful Nonprofit Links + Resources

The trap of busy

Everyone who wants to be busy is busy.

But not everyone is productive.

Busy is simply a series of choices about how to spend the next minute.

Productive requires skill, persistence and good judgment. Productive means that you have created something of value.

Perhaps your self-created busy-ness is causing you to be less productive.

— Seth Godin

This week I want you to consider whether what you’re busying yourself with is the most productive use of your time. Are you prioritizing the work that will yield you the results you most seek? Or are you back-burnering your most important tasks simply because it’s easier that way?

While it may seem less stressful that way in the short-term, it’s almost never easier over the long haul. You must plant fruit trees today if you hope to harvest a crop tomorrow.

Do you often fall into the pattern of “just doing my job,” without considering what might happen if you replaced “doing” with “improving,” “reinventing,” or “transforming?”

Hopefully some of this week’s resources will help you turn the mission-critical tasks that seem daunting into tasks that seem approachable. What might you do in the months ahead to positively transform your culture, work output and revenue-generation?

It’s time for a little spring cleaning.

Throw out the old; the strategies no longer bringing you joy. Add some new stuff that brings you energy. Your resources await!

Thank you for doing what you do to make our world a more caring, more just place,

Claire

claire@clairification.com

P.S. If you want to learn from 30 Nonprofit Experts over 3 full days — March 23–25** — — simply CLICK HERE. The Top Nonprofits Changemakers “Being the Change” Virtual Summit will address critical issues facing nonprofits TODAY in fundraising, marketing and operations, management and strategy. Since I’m speaking, I get to offer members of the Clairification Community – YOU — $50 off the already ridiculously affordable price (works out to about $7/session and you get access to all recordings for a full year)! Be sure to use CODE Claire50. Oh, and did I mention there will be CFRE credits, prize give-aways and live comedy?

Clairity Click-it, Your Nonprofit Ticket to…

MARCHing Orders Clairity Click-it: Useful Nonprofit Links + Resources

Time to march forward! Yes, into a new month. But also into a novel economy. Things are not going to go backwards, so it’s on us to learn to adapt to new ways of thinking and acting.

Hopefully this newsletter will help! I’ve got lots of resources for you, some thought-provoking and some practical and action-focused. I really don’t want you to wing it when there’s so much expertise and experience from which to borrow. As you know, I’m a voracious reader and lifelong learner. And… if I know it I want you to know it (my “motto.”)

I want to again send a shout-out to my 2021 Clairity Click-it sponsor, Bloomerang, for keeping this newsletter free. They’re making it possible for me to spend time curating and sending this newsletter to you on a biweekly basis. We are aligned in wanted to help you bring greater good, justice and harmony to our communities and world.

What you do matters. A lot.

It is my privilege and pleasure to help you do with as much joy, hope and effectiveness as possible,

claire@clairification.com

P.S. If you want to learn from 30 Nonprofit Experts over 3 full days — March 23–25** — — simply CLICK HERE. The Top Nonprofits Changemakers “Being the Change” Virtual Summit will address critical issues facing nonprofits TODAY in fundraising, marketing and operations, management and strategy. Since I’m speaking, I get to offer members of the Clairification Community – YOU — $50 off the already ridiculously affordable price (works out to under $12/session and you get access for a full year)! Be sure to use CODE Claire50. Oh, and did I mention there will be CFRE credits, prize give-aways and live comedy?

Clairity Click-it, Your Nonprofit Ticket to…

Vaccination Clairity Click-it: Useful Nonprofit Links + Resources

Talk of vaccination is in the air, so I looked up the definition: “treatment with a vaccine to produce immunity against a disease. ” I hope you and your loved ones have been, or are soon, able to boost your immunity to Covid-19 disease. Meanwhile, why not focus in on the other “diseases” — the enemies your nonprofit is fighting on a daily basis. What if you were able to raise more money to weaken whatever forces contribute to the problems you’re endeavoring to solve?

I’ve collected for you a slew of resources to help you now, mid-pandemic, and to prepare for the day when things do get back to a post-covid version of normal.  As I’ve said throughout this prolonged period of disruption, make sure you meet your urgent needs. But also use this opportunity to take a long view.  Crisis has a way of forcing us to re-evaluate what’s important, and what’s not. Seize this opportunity to innovate, adapt and tweak what you’ve been doing so you’ll come out on the other side even stronger than you were before.

Also take some time to be grateful – and proud. You are making the world a better place. Your mission was important yesterday. It’s important today. It will be important tomorrow. You are on the front lines of enacting values other people truly care about. If they didn’t, they wouldn’t be your supporters. So please keep the faith in your vision. I promise you, it is one that is shared.

What you do matters. A lot.

It is my privilege and pleasure to help you enact your vision, mission and values with as much joy, hope and effectiveness as possible,

I hope you’ll also enroll this year in ‘Clairification School’. You’ll get access to ALL my content for a full 12 months. People tell me all the time it’s a bargain, especially considering the tips that help them build saleable skills and raise much, much more than they invest by enrolling.

With gratitude for all you do,

Claire

claire@clairification.com

P.S. Don’t forget to bookmark my Ask an Expert fundraising advice column on the Bloomerang blog! Ask your question here. See this week’s What Are the Best Questions to Ask in a Donor Survey?

Clairity Click-it, Your Nonprofit Ticket to…

Valentine-Filled Clairity Click-it: Useful Nonprofit Links + Resources

Before we get into all of this month’s useful resources, I want to send a Valentine to my 2021 Clairity Click-it sponsor, Bloomerang, for keeping this newsletter free. Remember, my motto is: “If I know it, I want you to know it!” They’re making it possible for me to spend time curating and sending this newsletter to you on a biweekly basis. If you appreciate this as much as I do, please let them know!

Okay… I hope you’re thinking about sending your donors some love this month. Be sure to check out my 8 Strategies to Celebrate Nonprofit Donors on Valentine’s Day.

I hope you’ll also enroll this year in ‘Clairification School’. You’ll get access to ALL my content for a full 12 months. People tell me all the time it’s a bargain, especially considering the tips that help them build saleable skills and raise much, much more than they invest by enrolling.

What you do matters. A lot.

It is my privilege and pleasure to help you do with as much joy, hope and effectiveness as possible,

Claire

claire@clairification.com

P.S. Check out my free fundraising advice column on the Bloomerang blog! Here are some recent Q & A:

• How Do I Write an Endowment Letter?
• Do Legacy Gift Societies Still Matter?
• What’s a Grant Writer’s Role in Setting Strategic Program Priorities?

Clairity Click-it, Your Nonprofit Ticket to…

Unity Clairity Click-it: Useful Nonprofit Links + Resources

Last Monday would have been Dr. Martin Luther King’s 92nd birthday. He challenged us to recognize the privilege of being part of the struggle for goodness to prevail. While he did not live to get to the promised’ land, he saw it from the mountain top. Today, we are all on that mountain top.

Look from your vantage point to 2021 – and beyond.  I dream this is year will be the one in which your organization will move:

• Beyond defining yourself by what you’re not (nonprofit); to what you are (social benefit).
• Beyond an attitude of taking and hitting people up (aka “fundraising”) to a mindset of giving and lifting people up (aka “philanthropy”).
• Beyond enacting transactions (money) to enabling transformation (meaning).

Fundraising is merely servant to philanthropy. Through your fundraising practice, you become a “philanthropy facilitator.” Your job is to invite others to be a part of the struggle for goodness to prevail.

What a noble job you have!

My Clairification tagline is “philanthropy, not fundraising.” I encourage you to adopt this as a framework for your own practice. It will help you overcome the fear and distaste conjured up by the loathed “F” word. You see, for most people, ‘fundraising’ conjures up the taboo subject of ‘money.’ While ‘philanthropy’ means, literally, ‘love of humanity.’

Love your donors as you would have them love you. In fact, love all your stakeholders – internal and external – this way. Embrace a culture of abundance, not scarcity. Embrace a culture of unity, not division. Ask not what your donors, volunteers and staff can do for you, but what you can do for them.

When you come from a place of love, you’ll find it will transform your work. As my mentor, and founder of ‘The Fundraising School’ Hank Rosso used to say: Fundraising is the gentle art of teaching the joy of giving.

Here are some collected resources to help you with your important work. Once again, I want to thank my sponsor, Bloomerang, for making it possible to offer this biweekly newsletter to you for free.

With gratitude for all you do to make our world a better place,

Claire

claire@clairification.com

P.S. If you find value in Clairification, your support via enrollment in ‘Clairification School’ is a blessing. You’ll be able to read every single article I’ve ever written, plus you’ll get access to all my webinars, monthly tips, bonuses and more. I promise to pay it back, and continue to offer lots of specific advice to help you raise greater awareness, more volunteerism and passionate philanthropy.

Clairity Click-it, Your Nonprofit Ticket to…

New Year Clairity Click-it: Useful Nonprofit Links + Resources

Good-bye 2020. What a long strange trip it’s been.

Fortunately

In the midst of all of it, some people are still able to trust. To trust in others, to trust in possibility and to trust themselves. And…

we’re surrounded by opportunity.

we often get a second chance.

there are still problems to be solved.

we learned something.

there’s another advance, right around the corner.

And always, there’s a chance to make things better.

–Seth Godin

Thanks for taking that chance, for caring and for leading.

Here are some collected resources to help you with your important work. Once again, I want to thank my sponsor, Bloomerang, for making it possible to offer this biweekly newsletter to you for free.

With gratitude for all you do to make our world a better, more just, more hope-filled place,

Claire

claire@clairification.com

P.S. If you find value in Clairification, your support via enrollment in ‘Clairification School’ is a blessing. You’ll be able to read every single article I’ve ever written, plus you’ll get access to all my webinars, monthly tips, bonuses and more. I promise to pay it back, and continue to offer lots of specific advice to help you raise greater awareness, more volunteerism and passionate philanthropy.

Clairity Click-it, Your Nonprofit Ticket to…

Year-End Clairity Click-it: Useful Nonprofit Links + Resources

I thought of you right away when I read this comment we received on our recent donor survey:

“I got a handwritten card from the President after making my first donation. I donate to many nonprofits, and that has never happened before. I still have it hanging on my fridge because it meant so much to me. Thank you for all of the care and hope that you provide to so many!”

She was a first time donor and made a $35 gift on our website.

— Josh Taylor, President, HopeKids

Josh shared this with me, no doubt, because I’m constantly reminding folks of the power of gratitude and humanity when it comes to connecting with donors.

We sometimes forget that behind every single gift is a human being, each with their own hopes, wants and needs.

Part of the job of a true philanthropy facilitator is to meet those needs and resonate with the donor’s values, thereby bringing some measure of meaning to someone who might not have been able to find that purpose any other way.

We all need love, and that’s the essence of “philanthropy’ (by definition of the word).

Please have a happy, healthy and safe holiday and year-end fundraising season.

With gratitude for all you do to make our world a better, more just, more caring place,

Claire

claire@clairification.com

P.S. I was on a holiday party zoom for my local AFP chapter last week and I learned a new self-care tip. It requires a Snow Globe (great excuse to buy or make one if you don’t have one; could make great holiday gifts too!). Keep the globe close to you. Your work desk. Kitchen. Next to your couch. Wherever you could stand to remind yourself to pick up the globe… shake it… take a deep breath; then another and another… watch the snowflakes swirl until they all land. Do you feel a bit more relaxed and ready to focus anew?

P.P.S. The 3rd Annual Nonprofit Board Engagement Survey needs you! This year’s survey explores how the pandemic has affected your board members’ experience. You can complete it anonymously; then enter your email separately to receive bonus gifts from all the sponsors (I’m one). There’s even an iPad drawing. Plus, of course, you’ll receive the survey results.

Clairity Click-it, Your Nonprofit Ticket to…

Life Lived Well Clairity Click-it: Useful Nonprofit Links + Resources

I often remind myself of the words of Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

You who work in the trenches of the social benefit sector are those thoughtful, committed citizens. Never forget: your work changes the world. While it may be a slog sometimes – especially now as we face a surging pandemic, economic uncertainty, and a deeply divided society – you make a positive difference. Rest assured the part you play is a life lived well.

“I can face the winter with calm. I’d been thinking of the winter as a horrid, wet, dreary time. Now I can see other things-crisp and sparkling days, long pleasant evenings, cheery fires. Good work shall be done this winter. Life shall be lived well.”

–A.A.Milne

To help you do your important work I’ve again collected fundraising, marketing and nonprofit management resources – all free – for you to use to inform your practice. Once again, I want to thank my sponsor, Bloomerang, for making it possible to offer you this complimentary biweekly newsletter.

Let me close with the words of another poet:

you are not everything
but everything
could not be
everything without
you.

— Joseph Pintauro, poet, ‘To Believe in Things’

With gratitude,

Claire

claire@clairification.com

P.S. Please stay safe this holiday season. I am virtually hugging you right now! I hope you can feel the warmth.

Clairity Click-it, Your Nonprofit Ticket to…

Clairity Click-it: Cornucopia of Useful Nonprofit Links + Resources

The gratitude holidays – Thanksgiving and #GivingTuesday – are upon us! Are you ready?

Because I’m so grateful for the work you do in making our world a better one, I’ve collected a ton of great gifts for you this month! All to make your life a little easier. Articles, free webinars and free downloadable guides to help you succeed in this most generous of seasons.

Remember why you do this.  Yes, it’s to further your mission. But remember donors are your mission too. They need you in order to become their best selves, and to find meaning that might otherwise elude them. Here’s the bottom line:

“Giving makes us happy. Check out the latest research from the Women’s Philanthropy Institute at Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. As donor relations and stewardship professionals, it’s our job to build on that happiness and create lifelong relationships between donors and our organizations. We do that through our thank you letters and calls, reports, videos, events…every experience that becomes part of a donor’s journey with our organizations. Clap along if you know what happiness is to you…“

— Eliza McNulty, President, Association of Donor Relations Professionals (ADRP):

Once again, I want to thank my sponsor, Bloomerang, for making it possible to offer this biweekly newsletter to you for free.

With gratitude,

Claire

claire@clairification.com

P.S. Seriously, you have to click on the ‘clap along’ link above. It’s impossible not to feel happy – something we could all use a bit more of right about now. Plus there’s some pretty dope dancing in this video as well. Keep smiling!

Clairity Click-it, Your Nonprofit Ticket to…

Gratitude Clairity Click-it: Useful Nonprofit Links + Resources

November is Gratitude Month.

It’s that time of year when people take stock of their blessings and become most inclined to share those blessings with those less blessed. This is why it’s such an important fundraising season.

Take time this month to embrace gratitude as a practice. With yourself, your family, friends, co-workers, volunteers and donors. Research shows the benefits of gratitude are enormous. Not only will practicing gratitude make you happier and healthier, it will also make you and others more generous.

Of course, you’ll be sending fundraising appeals this month and next. Also consider sending gratitude emails. They will pave the way, serving to ‘pre-suade’ your supporters to be in a giving mood. When you give to others, they become naturally inclined to reciprocate.  Want an example? I received this from the Americans of Conscience Checklist. I think it’s just lovely, and I believe you can easily adapt it to serve your own mission.

Today, I want to acknowledge you and honor you. 

You’ve been showing up over the past nine or so months of a whirlwind of events beyond our control – maybe even longer – and it hasn’t been easy. Franklin Roosevelt said “When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.” You’ve been hanging on, and fighting the good fight because… you know others depend on you.

It is my honor to do my small part to help you find the places where you can get a good grip. Where you can take at least some small measure of control, and control the heck out of it!

Towards that end, here are resources I’ve collected for you. I hope you’ll find something that helps you carry your work forward. Something you can use to create one or more actions to help repair our world.

With gratitude,

Claire

claire@clairification.com

P.S. Many thanks to my sponsor Bloomerang for making it possible for me to spend the time to create and curate ‘Clairity Click-it’ content for you on a biweekly basis. It is a labor of love to help you find your defining moments.

Clairity Click-it, Your Nonprofit Ticket to…