The Agitator
SEPTEMBER 15, 2014
'Today were adding a valuable, new tool to The Agitator Toolbox. The Donor Commitment Feedback Widget for Nonprofits has been designed, tested and proven by the folks at our sister company DonorVoice and is being given to Agitator readers for: $30/month $0 (Free).
Nonprofit Tech for Good
SEPTEMBER 28, 2014
'Despite the rapid rise of social media, more online donations are made from a click in an e-newsletter than any other source. In fact, in 2013 for every 1,000 fundraising messages delivered, nonprofits raised $17. That was a 21% decrease from the previous year, but the decrease is mostly likely due to poor online fundraising practices , such as not having a mobile-optimized donate page and e-newsletter design.
Fundraising Coach
SEPTEMBER 9, 2014
'In creating an Ask Without Fear! training for the executive directors of the Jewish National Fund of Canada, I was reminded how important September is for the vast number of nonprofits. Even for those like JNF that have religious holidays in the coming weeks, the end of the calendar year can be when a nonprofit''s budget is made. So here are three things to do now to make sure this is the best year-end yet!
EveryAction
SEPTEMBER 30, 2014
'The end of the campaign trail is in sight and while it’s hard to think much about anything besides GOTV stats and your campaign team’s eventual glory on November 4th, you can’t help but think: What’s next? As election season comes to an end, many campaigners will be turning their attention to the job hunt. Many nonprofits are looking for individuals with an organizer’s skills and mindset.
iMarketSmart
SEPTEMBER 10, 2014
'I think “grit” is more important than talent or skill. Grit is courage, strength of character and “stick-to-it-ive-ness.” Here’s a neat test to determine your grittiness thanks to someone at the University of Pennsylvania. CLICK HERE. I got 4.63 out of 5 putting me in the 90th-99th percentile. How about you? LIKE THIS BLOG POST?
Ann Green
SEPTEMBER 3, 2014
'Ready or not, it’s September. Where did this summer go? Fall is a busy time, especially if you’re doing a year-end appeal. Many nonprofits rely on their year-end appeal for a good portion of their revenue. There’s a lot to do to, so here are some tips to help you get started. How much money do you need to raise? You may have already set a goal in your 2014 fundraising plan (at least I hope you did) and perhaps you need to revise that goal.
The Agitator
SEPTEMBER 16, 2014
'Anyone who has been following the Ice Bucket Challenge campaign knows that social media has become an integral part of fundraising events and campaigns. Without question, social media creates heaps of buzz for campaigns and makes events a lot more interactive and fun. But it can be pretty hit and miss. The experience can be chaotic and fragmented, and it’s very difficult for participants to get an overview of the many participant/observer conversations that are occurring simultaneously from mom
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Fundraising Coach
SEPTEMBER 23, 2014
'I just finished writing my latest " Question Marc " column for FundRaising Success magazine answering a question from "Panicked in Pasadena.". Panicked was that way because donors weren''t responding to her solicitations. Can you relate? We stop too soon. One of the tips I wrote about in the article was this: grab a list of all your assignments and list out the date they told you "non".
Nonprofit Marketing Blog
SEPTEMBER 23, 2014
'The time is…NOW. With year-end quickly approaching, and #GivingTuesday just ten weeks away, we’re hurtling toward the giving season. It’s that generous time of year that fundraisers count on to be sure that they are well positioned—and well funded—to fulfill their missions for another year. Now is the time to solidify your #GivingTuesday campaign focus.
Mission Minded
SEPTEMBER 4, 2014
'Knowing how to create a great admissions experience can be tricky. You want to attract new families to your school, yet you know your school isn’t right for everyone. You want to communicate powerfully, but you don’t want to waste money on printing materials that no one ever reads. You want campus visits to provide […].
Ann Green
SEPTEMBER 26, 2014
'It’s officially fall! Many of you are getting ready for your year-end appeal, and the cornerstone of your campaign is your appeal letter. You want to create an awesome letter that captures your donors’ attention right away and convinces them to donate. Sounds simple, but it’s not. Here are some ways to ensure a successful letter. Make a good first impression.
The Agitator
SEPTEMBER 21, 2014
'Fundraising maven Gail Perry, writing in Fundraising Success awhile back, noted some serious signs that might indicate your fundraising is faltering. In 5 Clues Your Fundraising Is Headed Downhill , she offered these indicators: 1. Revolving door in the development office. 2. Laying all the fundraising on one person. 3. Changing fundraising strategy too often. 4.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
SEPTEMBER 10, 2014
'Abby Jarvis. A potential donor visits your website, but never makes a donation. It happens all the time, but have you done everything you can to prevent that? Abby Jarvis joins us today to share some tips on creating a simple online donation process.~Kivi. Guest Post by Abby Jarvis of Qgiv. The decision to donate to a charity is an emotional one. From the moment a donor decides to give to the second they make the payment, it’s important not to disrupt their feelings and their desire to contribu
Fundraising Coach
SEPTEMBER 26, 2014
'As I wrote earlier this week, some of my coaching clients are being transformed by the idea of keeping on going until we get no. This concept is helping them keep up their endurance in asking. And it''s helping donors really connect to causes that matter to them. So I''m thrilled that "Go For No!" author Andrea Waltz will be giving the October webinar for The Nonprofit Academy!
Nonprofit Marketing Blog
SEPTEMBER 29, 2014
'An organization’s ability to accomplish its mission is only as strong as the organization’s infrastructure. As you fight to make the world a better place, how do you make sure you’re providing a nonprofit workplace that fosters fairness and complies with the necessary rules and regulations? I recently had a chance to catch up with the Aina Gutierrez, author of Walking the Walk: A Values Centered Approach to Building a Strong Non-Profit and Deputy Director of Interfaith Worker Justice.
Getting Attention
SEPTEMBER 17, 2014
'I know your fall is booting up big time—on right-now to-dos, end-of-year campaigns and thinking/talking on what to do differently and better next year. Same here, and for our client orgs. But—thanks to pulling myself away from work for a much-needed sabbatical —I’m seeing what’s ahead for me and Getting Attention.org far more clearly than ever before.
Ann Green
SEPTEMBER 18, 2014
'The Ice Bucket Challenge raised a huge amount of money for ALS, and that’s great. But I have mixed feelings about this type of fundraising tactic. Will these donors donate to ALS again? Is the ALS Association doing anything to build relationships with these donors? Think twice if you’re tempted to do something like the Ice Bucket Challenge.
The Agitator
SEPTEMBER 30, 2014
'If there ever there were a medium where nonprofits consistently get it wrong it’s telemarketing. In my experience no medium, short of a personal visit, is as powerful. IF … used correctly, which unfortunately is seldom the case. CEOs and boards generally hate telemarketing. Adding to the dilemma is the fact that few fundraisers understand its potential, its nuances and therefore can’t defend it properly and vigorously.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
SEPTEMBER 24, 2014
'I have had an Instagram account for over a year now. And I have posted exactly 3 pictures: My sad, lonely Instagram profile. I like the idea of Instagram, I really do! Who doesn’t like looking at pictures? Still, there have been a few things holding me back from really embracing it. And most of those reasons are a result of not taking the time to get familiar with it.
Fundraising Coach
SEPTEMBER 3, 2014
'I spent Labor Day morning reading about the labor of fundraising. I am so glad I picked up Roger Craver''s book, Retention Fundraising ! These three hours will be with me for years. I''m not new to this. I''ve been studying donor retention for over a decade. My first product, " Creating Donor Evangelists " leveraged studies done by Gallup and for commercial organizations like Build-A-Bear Workshop to show that donor relations was the most important part of fundraising.
Nonprofit Marketing Blog
SEPTEMBER 16, 2014
'The Best December Ever. For the past several weeks, we’ve focused on making this the best December ever, beginning with the launch of the giving season on #GivingTuesday, and running straight through year-end. In our first two posts, we shared thoughts on preparing for the giving season and whether to participate in #GivingTuesday. Beginning today, we’re digging into the tactics for a successful December, with #GivingTuesday as the launchpad.
Care2
SEPTEMBER 30, 2014
'Dunham and Company released an Online Fundraising Scorecard that looked at 151 nonprofits online fundraising activities. The report either gave a big "F" or a mediocre rating to most of the nonprofits in the report. Out of 151 nonprofits, only 24 of them scored 76% or above. The study looked at the flow of donation pages on each of the nonprofits websites as well as email appeals, follow up emails, etc.
Getting Attention
SEPTEMBER 16, 2014
'Yes you can— Find, Shape & Share Stories that Activate Your Supporters. Join me on October 1 in NYC. But register right now. Just a few seats remain. In the competition for attention, connection and action, CHOOSING WHAT TO TALK ABOUT and HOW is one of the most powerful marketing methods your nonprofit has. But many organizations leave this game-changer undeveloped or overlooked altogether.
The Agitator
SEPTEMBER 23, 2014
'Make no mistake. Most fundraisers today have little fire in their bellies compared to the founders of their movements. That’s not their fault. But it is a reminder that movements and causes pretty quickly run out of steam when founders retire, die or otherwise leave the scene. That’s the principal reason most of today’s advocacy organizations over 40 years old — right or left — are in trouble.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
SEPTEMBER 25, 2014
'The Chronicle of Philanthropy has been running a great series of articles by Paul VanDeCarr on storytelling the past few months called “Storytelling Summer: Advice about Motivating Your Audience.” The columns are packed with advice as well as lots of great examples, written in response to specific questions. It’s worth curling up with these links and good warm beverage for an hour or two.
Fundraising Coach
SEPTEMBER 19, 2014
'Apple iPhone 6 Lines in NYC, Photograph by Kate Arnold Fitzpatrick Today the Apple iPhone 6 hits the streets. People are lining up by the hundreds like the line going around the block in this image from New York City. Are they lining up that way for your nonprofit''s fundraising? Yesterday I published an article on LinkedIn''s Pulse called Ebola, iPhone 6, & your nonprofit''s fundraising.
Nonprofit Marketing Blog
SEPTEMBER 9, 2014
'To do, or not to do, #GivingTuesday…. With 12 weeks to go, you are hearing about #GivingTuesday everywhere. In the press, and perhaps on your team, there are advocates and skeptics. And we get it. Year-end is a critical time, and your team has a full plate. So is #GivingTuesday worth it? From where we sit, the answer is simple: Yes! We are unabashed supporters and believers in the #GivingTuesday movement.
iMarketSmart
SEPTEMBER 9, 2014
'Here’s my list of essential major donor needs that you must aim to fulfill: 1. Your best donors want you to do the important work they can’t or won’t do. 2. Your best donors want you to give them the credit and praise for your achievements. They want to be the hero in the story, not you. 3. Your best donors want you to remind them how great they are frequently. 4.
Getting Attention
SEPTEMBER 28, 2014
'Please post your open nonprofit marketing positions here. Digital Communications Manager and Communications Content Specialist , Hunt Alternatives (Washington, DC and Cambridge, MA). Digital Marketing Specialist , National 4-H Council (Chevy Chase, MD). Director of Audience Development & Communications , WETA (Arlington, VA). Director of Communications , Duchesne Academy (Houston, TX).
The Agitator
SEPTEMBER 4, 2014
'I have buckets on my mind today. Two kinds of buckets. First up is the Ice Bucket Challenge, which by now has seen more analysis, praise and detraction, and ‘Monday morning quarterbacking’ than any fundraising gimmick to date. Arguably the numbers speak for themselves as far as up front success is concerned … 3 million donors. Personally, I’m much more impressed by the number of donors than the number of dollars.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
SEPTEMBER 8, 2014
'Rebecca DeLuca. 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. Want to be featured in this series? Tell us what you do in a typical day as a nonprofit communications pro. Rebecca DeLuca is a Marketing and Communications Intern at the Boston University School of Social Work.
Care2
SEPTEMBER 14, 2014
'With the holiday season inching closer and closer, your nonprofit might be looking to recharge your holiday giving campaigns. One option you may consider is to create a #GivingTuesday campaign for December 2nd to amp up your year-end fundraising. #GivingTuesday is a way for charities, families, businesses, community centers, and students around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give.
Nonprofit Marketing Blog
SEPTEMBER 15, 2014
'(Editor’s note: Today’s post comes from our friends at the National Council of Nonprofits. Jennifer Chandler , Vice President and Director of Network Support & Knowledge Sharing, offers an easy way for your nonprofit to help advocate for charitable giving.). If you could make two simple phone calls or send two easy letters to advance your nonprofit’s mission, would you do it?
NonProfit Hub
SEPTEMBER 29, 2014
'You’ve got an idea for a nonprofit organization that’s going to make a big splash in the world. But you don’t want to toil away in anonymity. You want to make sure that other people are aware of the ripples you are creating. While you are working on your logistics and the governance, don’t forget to take some time to develop an initial nonprofit marketing plan.
Getting Attention
SEPTEMBER 3, 2014
'Please post your open nonprofit marketing positions here. Associate Director of Organizational Communications , Garden Conservancy (Garrison, NY). Communications and Partnerships Manager , Columbia University, CPC Learning (New York, NY). Communications Officer , International Planned Parenthood Federation (New York, NY). Communications Manager , Community Servings (Boston, MA).
The Agitator
SEPTEMBER 7, 2014
'Most fundraisers work hard and spend a lot of time and money hustling their brands and mission. Sadly, most fundraisers don’t bother to actually check on what experiences the donor receives at the hand of the organization. That’s why ‘mystery shopping’ is so important when it comes to determining in real time (rather than your ‘supposed to’ written plan) just how responsive your organization is with its donors.
Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog
SEPTEMBER 22, 2014
'Betsy Lewis. 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. Want to be featured in this series? Tell us what you do in a typical day as a nonprofit communications pro. Betsy Lewis is the owner and chief strategist at Betsy Lewis Consulting: Social Media Marketing for Nonprofits.
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