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Graduation Clairity Click-it: Useful Nonprofit Links, Free Resources

Oprah Winfrey, speaking to the Class of 2020, told them they were “the chosen class for such a time as this… the pandemic class, that has the entire world striving to graduate with you.”

Indeed, we’re all graduating. We’re striving to move forward and become who we need to be in this time period.

You, as a nonprofit leader, are also chosen for this role.  You are a philanthropy facilitator, whose job is to create a bridge between people who want to help and vital work that needs to be done.

Perhaps you need to ramp up services. Perhaps you must find a way to pivot to sustain your relevance. Perhaps your path involves collaboration or consolidation. Oprah spoke to the Class of 2020, saying “never has a graduating class been called to step into the future with more purpose, vision, passion, and energy and hope.”  She could just as easily have substituted the words ‘a graduating class’ for ‘the nonprofit sector.’

“I wish I could tell you I know the path forward, I don’t. There is so much uncertainty. In truth, there always has been. What I do know is that the same guts and imagination that got you to this moment, all those things are the very things that are going to sustain you through whatever is coming. It’s vital that you learn, and we all learn, to be at peace with the discomfort of stepping into the unknown.”

— Oprah Winfrey, Address to Class of 2020

Some of these awesome resources I’ve collected for you will help with your learning. There’s plenty more on my Clairification School blog, and we’ve also been holding periodic live Q&A sessions. So if you’re not yet enrolled as a Clairification School student, now’s a great time to join in and connect with your peers.

You are making the world a better, more caring, more just, more hopeful, more inspiring place. You are on the front lines of enacting values other people care about. Keep faith in your vision that got you to this moment.

Yours very sincerely,

claire@clairification.com

P.S. Many thanks to Bloomerang for sponsoring the Clairity Click-it. Please remember to bookmark the Ask an Expert page — my fundraising advice column on their website! Ask your question here and see this month’s “What to do with a controlling board president?”

Clairity Click-it, Your Nonprofit Ticket to…

Over the Rainbow Clairity Click-it: Useful Nonprofit Links, Free Resources

Somewhere the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true. Hasn’t that always been true for for your nonprofit?

Where troubles melt like lemon drops… You’re always trying to find that place, are you not?  In that regard, the coronavirus pandemic hasn’t changed a thing.

Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue. You’re still fighting the good fight, trying to wake up where the clouds are far behind you. Right?

Granted, it’s a bit more challenging now. Whether you’re needing to ramp up services or find a way to pivot to sustain your relevance, wishing on a star won’t get you there. But some of these awesome resources I’ve collected for you will help! I’m writing a lot on Clairification about what to do during this extraordinary time. If you’re not yet enrolled as a Clairification School student, now’s a great time to join in and connect with your peers.

Meanwhile… why not dig into some of these amazing articles, webinars, podcasts and e-guides I’ve collected for you across the web? Lots of wisdom to help you mitigate the pain now and prepare for the day when things evolve to a new normal.  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.

You are making the world a better place. This was true yesterday. It’s true today. It will be true tomorrow. You are on the front lines of enacting values other people care about. If they didn’t, they wouldn’t be your supporters. Keep faith in your vision. I promise you, it is one that is shared.

It is my privilege and pleasure to help you fly over the rainbow with the happy little bluebirds – at least as much as is humanly possible.

claire@clairification.com

P.S. Many thanks to Bloomerang for sponsoring the Clairity Click-it. Please remember to bookmark the Ask an Expert page — my fundraising advice column on their website! Ask your question here! 

Clairity Click-it, Your Nonprofit Ticket to…

Still Crazy Clairity Click-it: Useful Nonprofit Links, Free Resources

After all these weeks, ‘business as usual’ still isn’t. Fundraising plans that once seemed strategic no longer seem relevant. Which is why I’m writing a lot on Clairification about what to do during this extraordinary time. I’ve also hosted two live Q & A on Zoom for Clairification School students, and am doing it again today. We’re going to be hanging out more these days because… it’s important!!! Not enrolled yet?  Now’s a great time to join in and connect with your peers.

Meanwhile… why not dig into some of these amazing resources I’ve collected for you across the web? I’ve read everything I’m recommending and wouldn’t share it if I didn’t think it was useful. Lots of wisdom to help you mitigate the pain now and prepare for the day when things evolve to a new normal.  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 pat yourself on the back. You are making the world a better place. This was true yesterday. It’s true today. It will be true tomorrow. You are on the front lines of enacting values other people 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 do with as much joy, optimism and effectiveness as possible,

claire@clairification.com

P.S. Many thanks to Bloomerang for sponsoring the Clairity Click-it. Please remember to bookmark the Ask an Expert page — my fundraising advice column on their website! Ask your question here and see this month’s How to Balance Your Nonprofit’s Budget in a Crisis and How to Communicate an Event Cancellation.

Clairity Click-it, Your Nonprofit Ticket to…

Clairity Click-it: Business Still Not as Usual Nonprofit Links, Free Resources

It’s hard to get away from the ‘new abnormal’ in which we’re living. Which is why I’m writing a lot on Clairification about what to do during this extraordinary time. I also hosted a live Q & A on Zoom for Clairification School students last Friday. I’m doing it again today. Maybe next week too. Not enrolled yet?  Now’s a great time to join in and connect with your peers!

Meanwhile, there are plenty of other folks out there, besides me, who have your back.

I’ve collected for you a slew of resources to help you mitigate the pain now and prepare for the day when things do get back to normal.  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 do with as much joy, optimism and effectiveness as possible,

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 month’s How Can We Convert Tickets into Donations When Events Get Canceled?

Clairity Click-it, Your Nonprofit Ticket to…

Clairity Click-it: Business Not as Usual Nonprofit Links, Free Resources

COVID-19 will impact your life and your cause. This is a fact. Across the world. Don’t panic. Lots of people have your back – including me.

Your job is to have your constituents’ back. These folks include staff, beneficiaries, board, volunteers, and donors. If you’re unsure what to do, you’re not alone. This is new.

I’m writing a lot on Clairification about what to do during this ‘new abnormal,’ and will also be hosting a live Q & A on Zoom for Clairification School students next Friday. Not enrolled yet?  Now’s a great time to join in and connect with your peers!

This is not the ‘new normal.’ If you think that way, you’ll be apt to give up.

This is the ‘new abnormal.’

If you recognize that, you can plan to mitigate the pain now and prepare for the day when things do get back to normal.  Take a long view.  Remember, there was a worldwide flu pandemic in 1918-19. It was BAD. But the world did not end. And life as you’ve known it certainly did not end.

Be grateful – and proud. Nonprofit workers have always been on the front lines of righting wrongs, finding needs and filling them and doing their darnedest to assure people (and animals and the planet itself) live the best lives possible. Keep on keeping on as best you can. Your job is creating a more compassionate, livable world – one person, one animal, one place, one principle at a time.

What you do matters. A lot.

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

claire@clairification.com

P.S. Don’t forget to bookmark my fundraising advice column on the Bloomerang blog! Ask your question here – and bookmark the Ask an Expert page!

Clairity Click-it, Your Nonprofit Ticket to…

Clairity Click-It: Happy-Go-Lucky Nonprofit Links, Free Resources

Care of others and care of self. These matter a lot during times when the world seems crazily out of whack. So on this LUCKY Friday the 13^th (it’s my birthday!) let’s consider all we can do to keep our loved ones healthy, happy and connected.

This issue of the Click-it, sponsored by my pals at Bloomerang, includes a plethora of free resources for your reading, listening and viewing pleasure. If you’re going out less, perhaps you’ve a bit more time to dig into some of these resources (always looking for the silver lining). Some will help you deal with how the current pandemic may impact your finances and fundraising. You should also find many ways to bond more meaningfully with prospects and donors, plus ways to also engage in much-needed self-care.

I’m on a one-woman mission to take the mystery, and misery, out of successful donor communications and fundraising. Because…

What you do matters. A lot.

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

claire@clairification.com

P.S. I hope you’ll enroll this year in ‘Clairification School.’ I spend an enormous amount of time creating meaty, researched, actionable articles for you – and enrollment gets you access to ALL my original content for a full 12 months, including monthly tips and exclusive bonus materials. Feel free to check out what others have to say about why they’ve enrolled.

Clairity Click-it, Your Nonprofit Ticket to…

MARCHing Orders Click-It: Nonprofit Links, Free Resources

I’m coming in like a lion… with an abundance of reading and viewing materials to help you with whatever fundraising, marketing and nonprofit management challenges this month may have in store for you. Pick whatever looks useful.

I hope you’ll also enroll this year in ‘Clairification School’. You’ll get access to ALL my original content for a full 12 months, including exclusive weekly articles, bonus webinars and more, in the most cost-effective way I’ve found to deliver it. This is useful content that will help you raise much more than you invest by enrolling. Feel free to check out what others have to say about why they’ve enrolled.

I’m on a one-woman mission to take the mystery, and misery, out of successful donor communications and fundraising. Because…

What you do matters. A lot.

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

claire@clairification.com

P.S. Your support makes it possible and, truly, means a lot. Thank you sincerely. And let me also thank Bloomerang, my 2020 Clairity Click-it sponsor. Please know how dedicated we both are to helping you do your most important work.

Clairity Click-it, Your Nonprofit Ticket to…

Clairity Click-It: Valentine Filled with Nonprofit Links, Free Resources

I recently joined a new nonprofit board. This has me thinking about the type of support board members need to be the leaders you need them to be.  So… you’ll find a number of articles to help you in this regard. Plus, as always, LOTS more resources in a variety of categories.

Before we get into it, I want to send a shout out to my 2020 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!

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, optimism and effectiveness as possible,

claire@clairification.com

P.S. I have a fundraising advice column on the Bloomerang blog! Ask your question here. And bookmark the Ask an Expert page!

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Clairity Click-It: Love in the Air Nonprofit Links, Free Resources

February brings Valentine’s Day, and your opportunity to double down on #donorlove. Which is why I’ve got lots and lots of loverly resources this issue to help you reach out and build more meaningful relationships with your supporters.

Before we get into it, I want to send a shout out to my 2020 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 (yes, I read every single article I recommend to you) and sending the Clairity Click-it to you on a bimonthly basis.  If you appreciate this as much as I do, please let them know!

I hope you’ll also enroll this year in ‘Clairification School’. You’ll get access to ALL my content for a full 12 months. If you can’t afford to hire me as a coach, and you can’t afford to attend an online class or a conference, I’m hoping you can afford to pay less than $2/week to receive original, weekly articles, plus webinars, bonuses, an 800 article archive, and more. All with the goal to help you raise much, much more than you invest by enrolling.

How do I manage to do this so cost-effectively? Thanks to my sponsors (scroll down to the bottom) and readers like you! Your support makes it possible for everyone and, truly, means a lot.

Thank you sincerely for doing the significant work you do. From the words of Albert Schweitzer: “The only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve.”

What you do matters. A lot.

claire@clairification.com

P.S. I am now answering quick questions publicly on the Bloomerang blog. They say one person with a question means at least 10 others have the same question, so… be brave and help yourself and your peers. Your identity will be kept anonymous, so… no fears. Ask your question here. And bookmark the Ask an Expert page!

P.P.S. POSTAL INCREASE ALERT: Urgent Action Needed TODAY. Your action is needed before January 31^st if you don’t want to see nonprofit mailing rates go up by leaps and bounds.  Check out Roger Craver’s call to arms on the Agitator-DonorVoice blog.

Clairity Click-it, Your Nonprofit Ticket to…

Clairity Click-It: New Year Nonprofit Links, Free Resources

Let’s kick off the new year with a big batch of useful, free resources!  There’s lots to be done in this imperfect world.  Thankfully, the world has you to make a positive difference.

From the words of Desmond Tutu: “Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”

The world is counting on you. On all of us.

With that in mind, I’ve collected some wonderful materials to help you create a better, stronger, safer, healthier, more just and more caring future. As you fulfill your mission, never forget the work of the philanthropic sector is uniquely human.

Philanthropy means “love of humanity.”

This is not easy work. Yet it’s necessary, especially during times where the world seems out of control. Remember why you do this.  To restore balance to a wobbling world.

Let us resolve in the year, and decade, to come to embrace the very best practices we can muster, wherever we find them. I invite you to join me!

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

What you do matters. A lot.

Thank you for doing it, and always striving to be better,

claire@clairification.com

P.S. Registration for my popular, rapidly-filling 8-week e-course, Winning Major Gifts Fundraising Strategies, closes January 18^th. Claim your spot now – and assure you’re able to fulfill your mission to the greatest extent possible, today and tomorrow.  Questions about whether this course is right for you? I’m just an email away.

Clairity Click-it, Your Nonprofit Ticket to…