Fundraising Coach
FEBRUARY 7, 2015
'Invest #50ShadesofGreen to help end abuse. Let''s turn the multi-million corporate ad budget for 50 Shades of Grey on its head. My wife and I saw our friend JoAnne Hankey suggest people not see the movie but give the money they would''ve spent to a women''s shelter. Awesome idea, isn''t it? Let''s make it ridiculously easy to give. I''ve just donated $50 to my local nonprofit, Family Violence Project.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
FEBRUARY 25, 2015
'Liesl Manone. We love showcasing what I like to call “New and Improved” annual reports from our readers. I think the time of the 40+ page annual report is over and we should focus on our donors and what they actually want. Bonus: That’s also a lot easier for you to produce! Our recent submission is from Liesl Manone with Don’t Forget to Feed Me Pet Food Bank who has shared their organization’s first ever annual report.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Ann Green
FEBRUARY 10, 2015
'Most nonprofit organizations produce a newsletter, and many are one big snoozefest. They’re too long and filled with articles that brag about how wonderful the organization is. Newsletters can and should be a great way to stay in touch with your donors and keep them updated on how they are helping you make a difference. I recommend a short e-newsletter once or twice a month and one to four print newsletters a year.
The Agitator
FEBRUARY 4, 2015
'Let me suggest that for fundraisers there are three levels of analysis — three forms of perspective — about what’s going on with donors. Here are my terms for them: 1. Ignorespective 2. Retrospective 3. Introspective Now, ‘Ignorespective’ (pronounced IGno-respective) really means no analysis or perspective at all. Just keep on doing.
EveryAction
FEBRUARY 11, 2015
'Fundraising is a huge job at any nonprofit. No matter the size, legacy, or cause, all nonprofit organizations dedicate endless time + resources to soliciting donated dollars. That got us thinking: is it possible to cheat at nonprofit fundraising + get away with it? If so, social fundraising might just be the ace up your organization''s sleeve.
iMarketSmart
FEBRUARY 2, 2015
'Use family words (stories and simple, colloquial words) not formal words. Use social examples/norms such as: Many of our donors like to make a gift in their will or by beneficiary designation. Tell stories of planned bequest donors who are still alive… not dead! Talk about benefits (including tax benefits). Ask about family/friend connections to the cause and give supporters the option of a tribute/memorial gifts.
Fundraising Coach
FEBRUARY 24, 2015
'I''ve worked alot on donor retention and often written about the importance of keeping the donors you already have. But in a recent webinar on storytelling for nonprofits , I had a rude awakening. The webinar was presented by the legendary fundraiser Ken Burnett. He was talking about how effective stories can be in the answering the donor''s question, "Did my gift make a difference?".
Nonprofit Leadership Zone brings together the best content for advertising professionals from the widest variety of industry thought leaders.
Ann Green
FEBRUARY 17, 2015
'Thanking donors shouldn’t be a process: it should be an experience. An experience that will last as long as someone donates to your organization, which hopefully will be for a long time. If you treat thanking your donors as a ho-hum task that you have to do, it will show. Make a good first impression with your thank you landing page. Thanking your online donors is a three-part experience (not process).
The Agitator
FEBRUARY 9, 2015
'One item on my short ‘To do’ list for 2015 was mastering the use of online video. Here are some recent studies indicating why that is important. The first is from Liveclicker, an e-commerce firm whose clients generate more than 12.5 million video plays per quarter. In a survey of their clients, 88% reported an increase in conversion rates when video product pages were offered, compared to non-video pages.
Mission Minded
FEBRUARY 4, 2015
'Do your emails align with your organization’s brand strategy? Do they send a clear, consistent message about the value of your work and the difference donors can make by supporting you? Not sure? Too frequently the emails nonprofits send to would-be donors seem to come out of left field. They take a tone that is […].
Nonprofit Marketing Blog
FEBRUARY 18, 2015
'If you aren’t familiar with Lynne Wester’s work in donor relations, you are missing out. Last year she presented an amazing webinar (one of our highest attended!) on donor relations and ever since then I’ve been hooked on the topic of donor relations and Lynne’s wise words on this important work that many fundraisers don’t (unfortunately) know much about.
Fundraising Coach
FEBRUARY 9, 2015
'A couple weeks ago, I asked subscribers to the Ask Without Fear! email newsletter , " What is stopping you? " I''ve received over 100 responses from nonprofit leaders, fundraising staff, and board members! I''m still sorting through all of them, but a very common one is a variation of, " They''ll resent it if I ask them for money. " It can also be said as: "I''m bugging them.".
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
FEBRUARY 9, 2015
'Heather Svoboda. We need more stories for this series! Tell us what you do in a typical day as a nonprofit communications pro. Heather Svoboda is the communications and development manager at the Cat Adoption Team (CAT). Located just outside Portland, Ore., CAT is the largest nonprofit, feline-only, adoption-guarantee shelter in the Pacific Northwest.
Ann Green
FEBRUARY 25, 2015
'Casablanca is one of my favorite movies. There are so many priceless lines, which I often recite while I’m watching the movie. One of them is “ Louie , I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.” When someone donates to your organization, it’s also the beginning of a beautiful friendship or the continuation of one if the person is a repeat donor.
The Agitator
FEBRUARY 15, 2015
'The Agitator rested on Valentine’s Day this year. However, while we were eating our chocolates, Cupid delivered a thought-provoking message to our inbox in the form of an opinion piece from Jennifer and Peter Buffett, co-presidents of the NoVo Foundation, appearing in last week’s Chronicle of Philanthropy. Before we get to the Valentine, a reminder about the Buffetts.
Getting Attention
FEBRUARY 10, 2015
'Asking partners, friends and fans to spread the word may be the most effective, yet least expensive, marketing method there is. So I’m always surprised that so few folks put it to work. Hope this case study pushes you into action. The Challenge: To increase qualified entries to, and votes for, the 2015 doGooder Video Awards. Award founders See3 wanted to increase submissions to the its 9th Annual doGooder Awards (9th round).
Nonprofit Marketing Blog
FEBRUARY 25, 2015
'What good is a monthly giving program if no one can learn more about how it will help further your mission? This week’s Recurring Giving Challenge lesson is all about highlighting your monthly giving program on your website. For the full lesson, sign up for the Challenge (and learn how you can win your share of $10K in prizes !). Here are a few highlights from a few stellar Network for Good clients (click on the images to see the full pages) : On Your Donation Page.
Fundraising Coach
FEBRUARY 16, 2015
'A few weeks back, I was talking with Dan McCormack about an upcoming training. In the midst of our conversation, Dan said he didn''t let his team use the term "a culture of philanthropy." His observations were so right, I asked if he''d do a guest blog post on this. I''m glad he said yes! Dan is the President of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis Foundation based in Springfield, Illinois and an officer on the Board of Directors for NCDC (the National Catholic Development Conference).
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
FEBRUARY 17, 2015
'Image Credit: https://flic.kr/p/6K8pMh. Yearning for company, learning, or meaningful connections on Twitter? Try a Twitter chat! TWITTER CHAT A conversation that happens on Twitter that’s focused within a certain time (usually an hour) on a specific topic and by a specific person or organization. If you’re struggling to “get” Twitter, Twitter chats just may give you that “aha” moment that turns you into a fan of the platform.
Ann Green
FEBRUARY 3, 2015
'If you’ve ever spent any time with four-year-olds, you know one of their favorite words is why. You’ll answer their question, but they’ll keep responding with why again and again…… A lot of nonprofit communication isn’t focused on why something is important. Besides being organization-centered, it often rambles on about accomplishments with no explanation of why something matters.
The Agitator
FEBRUARY 12, 2015
'At the end of each week Tom and I review the unused goodies that have piled up in our mailboxes from our RSS feeds, Google Alerts and our global network of Agitator correspondents. Then, after saving the gems, we hit the delete button. Last night, in the course of this ritual, I came across a piece from Target Marketing titled What’s the Secret Mix for Social Media Success?
Getting Attention
FEBRUARY 4, 2015
'Get this! Media recluse Bob Dylan recently gave his first interview in a few years…to the AARP magazine. Dylan and his handlers were being crafty, not crazy, here. Dylan’s just-released album, Shadows in the Night, is 100% Sinatra covers. “Bob…wanted to reach the AARP audience. And he thought that this record would be more appreciated by people who had more wisdom and experience in life,” says Robert Love , publisher of the magazine.
Nonprofit Marketing Blog
FEBRUARY 10, 2015
'Have two minutes? Please tell us what you’re doing to strengthen donor relationships and/or what’s in your way. Thanks! Thanks to these fabulous fundraisers in the field for sharing their right-now paths to stronger relationships with donors and what’s getting in their way!
Fundraising Coach
FEBRUARY 19, 2015
'I''m honored to introduce Tycely Williams. Tycely impresses me with her ability to create solutions for nonprofits that can be sustained even with small staffs. Here are some of her thoughts on helping let fundraising permeate all the areas of your nonprofit. She''ll be expanding on these in her training for The Nonprofit Academy. Tycely is many things, including Regional Chief Development Officer for the American Red Cross.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
FEBRUARY 19, 2015
'Whether they are focused on your clients, donors or volunteers, profiles — or stories about people — should be a integral part of your content marketing plan. Letting your other program participants, supporters, and influencers in your world see what goes on behind the scenes or the reasons why real people get involved with your organization builds trust and establishes authenticity.
Mission Minded
FEBRUARY 4, 2015
'If your organization creates campaigns year after year, you know the challenge: How do you make sure your creative stays true to your brand, while also bringing something fresh and new to the table? On the one hand, each season brings new offerings for your audiences and new goals for your team—this is especially true […].
The Agitator
FEBRUARY 10, 2015
'Tom and I’ve been focusing lots on the importance of ‘ donor-focused fundraising’ and essential ‘donor experiences’ In fact, we’ve invited Agitator readers to join us on February 17 th for a free webinar on fixing the donor experience. Fixing the problem of donor loss or seizing the opportunity of donor loyalty begins with an understanding of some fundamentals about relationships in general, and more specifically how these fundamentals apply to donors.
Getting Attention
FEBRUARY 25, 2015
'Welcome to the Proof Point series of research findings for you to use when advocating for the marketing approaches you know are right. You’re the marketing and communications expert. But that doesn’t mean your boss, colleagues and/or board buy your recommendations. Whether they just don’t get the whys (so feel uncomfortable), propose a “better” solution or gravitate to the devil’s advocate role, these proof points will help make your case and protect crucial
Nonprofit Marketing Blog
FEBRUARY 17, 2015
'Many psychological studies have shown the power of habit. Once people have established a behavior, they are primed to stick with it. Changing a habit takes a lot of effort and when the reward is consistent, these routines are almost impossible to interrupt. The best part is that this holds true for good habits, not just our questionable ones. Fundraisers can use this principle to nurture a pattern of generosity.
iMarketSmart
FEBRUARY 9, 2015
'Last week one of my blog posts told you make sure to stay away from the word “bequest” in your communications with donors. But I failed to tell you what word or words to use instead. So here are your alternatives: Make a gift to [name of charity] in your will. or. Leave a gift to [name of charity] in your will. Although it lengthens the message, you can also add “estate plan” and “beneficiary designation” (most folks know what that is since they can do that w
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
FEBRUARY 11, 2015
'Download Your Free Copy Now. Haven’t gotten around to reading our 2015 Nonprofit Communications Trends Report yet? I know how it is. My reading pile is sky high too. Here are three surprises in this year’s report. Donor Retention is Finally a Priority. For the first time in five years, donor retention has jumped ahead of donor acquisition as a major communications goal.
Care2
FEBRUARY 14, 2015
'Remember the early days of social media when you did not have to cut through all of the noise and things felt more like a community rather than a popularity contest? I can''t begin to tell you know how many nonprofits I talk to these days who are just interested in vanity metrics - gaining followers and FB Likes rather than focusing their social media on building relationships with the closest people to you, your community and then the network, followed by the crowd.
The Agitator
FEBRUARY 3, 2015
'I just noticed this — not unfamiliar — fundraiser’s lament from the trenches: “Our donors don’t appreciate us!” Phil McCorkle, writing a column in the Salem, Oregon Statesman Journal directed at any and all donors who might be reading (i.e., not specifically the donors to his own nonprofit), says: “Over the course of 28 years working in local nonprofits — with 22 years in fundraising roles — I’ve developed a growing awareness that donors may not a
Getting Attention
FEBRUARY 2, 2015
' Please post YOUR nonprofit marketing job here. Publications Manager Foundations for Healthy Generations (Seattle, WA). Public Affairs Manager Mother Jones (San Francisco, CA). Marketing Manager National Institute of Flamenco (Albuquerque, NM). Marketing, Communications & Events Strategist. Greater Columbus Arts Council (Columbus, OH). Marketing & Communications Manager Child Care Aware of America (Arlington, VA).
Nonprofit Marketing Blog
FEBRUARY 19, 2015
'Surprising, distressing, but all too true! According to findings released in the 2015 Nonprofit Communications Report , one of your greatest challenges to fundraising effectiveness is the difference in priorities and perspectives held by you (a fundraiser) and your key colleagues—your executive director and communications colleagues.
NonProfit Hub
FEBRUARY 3, 2015
'Remember that DIY project you saw and couldn’t wait to try yourself? It usually goes like this—you start out diving in full-steam ahead, and then before long your memory has completely transformed and you can’t seem to remember why you thought it was a good idea in the first place. Pinterest, anyone? Yeah, I’m pretty familiar with the site Pinterest Fails.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
FEBRUARY 23, 2015
'Kellie Scholma. Here’s the latest installment in our series on the “Day in the Life” of nonprofit communicators, where we ask you to describe your day in your own words. . We Need More Days! Tell us what you do in a typical day as a nonprofit communications pro. I am the Communications Coordinator for the Disaster Response Services (DRS) program of World Renew , a faith-based international community development and disaster response organization.
Expert insights. Personalized for you.
111 
Let's personalize your content