Sue’s Muse

This week I had the opportunity to go to a dinner honoring 3 great Americans who put others first in their work day in and day out.   Rep. John Conyers, who worked for passage on so many bills including fair housing, and voters rights … housing advocate Patricia Rouse, who co-founded the housing advocacy organization Enterprise Community Partners with her husband, James Rouse, in 1982 at their kitchen table, and since that time has provided over 8 billion dollars toward affordable housing across the USA … and journalist Soledad O’Brien, who puts a human face on major news events, such as her documentary where young people affected by Katrina told their own stories, putting a real face on poverty in American today.     

Why would I mention this in my blog?  Because every now and then I need to reaffirm why I go to work everyday … why I chose to work in and for nonprofits as a career.  When you hear the outstanding contributions folks like these and millions of others make each and every day … it simply confirms my decision all those years ago … this is where I need to be.

So no matter what new exciting fundraising tool or strategy comes on the horizon that captures my attention … the bottom line … it is all working towards one goal … to help organizations raise dollars to fulfill their mission … and more important the people they help.  I am sure many of you have a similar story. 

Just a thought for the weekend.

Regards,

Sue

Every now and then I think it is not such a bad idea to dust off an old article … especially one that is particularly relevant to current issues.   This spring is no exception … natural disasters are dominating the headlines … both in the USA and overseas.  The images we are seeing and stories we hear are heart breaking … we feel compelled to do something … after all this is what makes America great … we are charitable to those in need! 

Having worked for a large humanitarian organization I have seen how the generosity of donors makes a difference in the volume of assistance provided.  But it is not just large scale disasters that get donors to open their pocketbooks … it is smaller emergencies as well … many that don’t make the front pages.  

At some point most organizations large or small might just have to respond to an emergency.  I wrote an article several months ago for Fundraising Success Magazine outlining steps nonprofits need to take in order to be ready to reach out for support.  Are you prepared?

Regards,

Sue

When I read that a nonprofit organization went from raising $25,000 in 2006 to $275,000 in 2007 … and anticipated over $500,000 in 2008 from a combination of branding, technology and a healthy dose of competition then I want to know … WHAT DID THEY DO?

Camp Oochigeas based in Ontario Canada, is a 400-acre campsite created for children suffering from cancer.  The camp holds a 10k every year to raise money.  So what happened in 2007 that resulted in a huge jump in dollars raised?

They empowered their volunteers, donors and supporters! 

Through the use of technology Camp Ooch provided convenient, ready made online fundraising kits, complete with personalized fundraising pages … allowing their small in-house staff of 2 to multiply into the hundreds! 

Friend asking Friend … People Giving to People … ahhhh the basics!

You can read the complete story about how the organization … created a fundraising challenge, promoted their brand and used technology to reach new constituents! 

Regards,

Sue

P.S. I was asked by one of the readers to further explain my comments from yesterday’s blog.

I am all for the next “big idea” and this certainly fits into that category … but I hope that Google takes it a step further … and in addition to providing this service … consider adding a networking search option that will allow folks to type in an interest that could take them to specific organizational networking page … after all they are the Search People.  

My thought was a similar to the current Google Search model … allow a user to go on “Friend Connect” … search for and find a social networking group with which they have an interest.  The person doing the search finds a group and organizations benefit from searchers being sent to their sites.  Pretty simply really.

What if every website were a social networking site?  Or at least had the capability to be a social networking site?  

Once again Google is out in front with the latest in technology thinking as it announced yesterday another step in the evolution of social networks.  Googles’ free service called “Friend Connect” will allow any website to become a social site.  “Friend Connect” allows the user  to create a web page posting names and pictures of friends along with messages.  (Yep that sounds like a social networking!)

The mind boggles! 

For now the service is limited to a few … but Google anticipates it becoming widely available over the next several months, according to an article by Washington Post staff writer Peter Whoriskey. 

Not every nonprofit is going to want their website to be a social site … but wouldn’t it be fantastic to allow friends of an organization to share amongst themselves and with others information about your programs and cause … without having to go to one of the social networks to post information.  This puts a whole new complexion on using social sites to engage constituents … not to mention resolving issues around resource and time!

However, before you all run out and drop your Facebook, MySpace and YouTube pages … remember “Friend Connect” will be a great tool to add to your fundraising kit … but you still have to get folks to your site in order for them to become engaged.  (Think this could be why Facebook and MySpace announced last week initiatives to make it easier to move information across social networking pages?)

The main reason for nonprofits to be on social networks is GO WHERE PEOPLE ARE CONGREGATING … and engage them in your issues and cause … and ultimately to drive them to your website to find out more and take an action! 

I am all for the next “big idea” and this certainly fits into that category … but I hope that Google takes it a step further … and in addition to providing this service … consider adding a networking search option that will allow folks to type in an interest that could take them to specific organizational networking page … after all they are the Search People.  

I am certain this discussion amongst nonprofit fundraisers is just beginning … but look how far we have come in just two years with social networks …  I can’t wait to see where we will be in another 2 years.

Regards,

Sue

P.S.  Just a quick reminder to be sure and join us at Virilion for our webinar around the DonorPulse Survey conducted with Harris Interactive June 5th.  Simply contact Mimi Carter mimi@virilion.com to be be added to the guest list. 

As many of my friends know, I have a passion for cycling.  Now be honest … how many of you saw pictures of Lance Armstrong winning the Tour de France and thought of those heady days during your youth on your bike … racing up and down hills, the wind whipping past your face … and felt the exhilaration! 

I still love to get on my bike and ride … primarily on the flats, and my ‘racing’ is done downhill … but there is still the exhilaration!  I also love to watch cycling … so for this Mother’s Day after lunch with the youngest … I headed home to watch the beginning of the Giro d’italia!

The 22 teams for the Giro are each made up of 9 men … who, for three weeks, have one goal in mind … to get their team leader to the finish line in the fastest time.  Everyone on the team from the riders to the mechanics to the managers have agreed that achieving this goal is the top priority. 

This wasn’t always the case … pre Armstrong … you would often see two teammates competing to be the team leader … dividing loyalties and making it almost impossible for either to win. 

How many times have organizations had competing goals of what the priority of their online presence should be?  How many times have these different goals and objectives hampered the other’s success?  

Many of you are challenged by your organizations to educate, advocate and raise funds.   The most successful nonprofits are those that have sat down and determined the primary goal of their website and online communications.  And yes … most likely it is all these things … but one goal has to take precedence over the others.   Only when the top goal has been identified and agreed upon by senior management and all departments can all goals be successful.  

In cycling … getting the team leader to the finish in the shortest amount of time is goal #1.   Has your organization determined its #1 goal and is everyone working towards it? 

Regards,

Sue

When I opened my email this morning I found 6 eAppeals from 6 different organizations asking for support around 6 distinctly different issues!  What is a girl to do? 

1- Read each carefully and pull out the old credit card and DONATE NOW!

2- Hit the delete key as this is simply to much on a Friday morning!

3- Use this as a discussion on the blog … including the good, the bad, and the ugly!

You got it…  I picked #3!  (Although I will admit I did read then all.)

Let’s start with the good … what is this weekend - yes in case any of you has forgotten it is Mother’s Day!  So kudos to the one organization that sent the email offering me options on what I could give in instead of flowers, candy etc that would be meaningful, support a great cause and an eCard that I could forward sharing the tribute gift.

Now let’s review the bad … as you have already read on this blog I have discussed that you need to take advantage of free media to make hay on your issues … but when the media is sharing that NO GOODS or SERVICES are getting through to supply aid … and that the Junta has stockpiled everything that has come into the country so far … do you really think this is the best time to go out with an eAppeal for donations to get more supplies? 

Wouldn’t a better option have been to send this as a cultivation piece sharing what the organization had done to date with concrete examples, pounds of food etc … and how they are ready to move the moment visas are granted … then go out with an eAppeal next week?

And finally the ugly … well maybe not the ugly but certainly the disjointed … after reviewing the email I went onto the website of the organization and NO WHERE did it discuss the issues or programs just sent to me via the eAppeal … dare I mention the word SILOS? 

Just some thoughts on this Mother’s Day Weekend.

Regards,

Sue

This must be the week for reporting on women … in spite what happened in the Democratic primaries … what am I talking about?  Women in philanthropy of course! 

For years fundraisers have known that women have been making the majority of philanthropic decisions (over 80%) in the United States.   We have tailored our messaging to appeal to women … at least to the small to middle donor levels.  But not anymore! 

Women philanthropists have come into their own … they are making a difference and expect to be recognized for their contributions. These are women who benefited from Title IX … are team players … have built substantial careers and are ready to give back to their communities.

Reports in the Nonprofit Times and an upcoming online discussion posted in the Chronicle of Philanthropy on “What Women Want” … attest to the fact that this is a group that can no longer be ignored … and it will be the savvy fundraiser who spends some dedicated time prospecting and evaluating this pool of donors.  And not just to make contributions, but to serve on boards and build organizational resources.  

We all know the mix … Work … Wisdom … Wealth …  you may just luck out and get all three!

Regards,

Sue

All of us who have been in the business of fundraising for disasters know one simple fact … FREE MEDIA DRIVES TRAFFIC.  Reports of devastation and suffering move us to want to help.  And in this “take action now” society that normally means going online to make a gift or picking up the phone to an in-bound call center. 

Are organizations prepared to turn on a dime to take advantage of this free media … some yes, some maybe and some just simply miss the boat!

I have received a number of eappeals requesting my support for the cyclone victims in Burma.  And yet when I went onto websites to find out more … I had to spend time uncovering information about what these various organizations are doing to assist victims.  And once I did find the information and clicked donate … I was taken to either a generic donation page or one that had so many options my head hurt! 

I am certain that in-depth stories about what the various NGOs are doing is made more difficult due to the restricted access placed on them by the Junta.  So we will leave that for now … let’s just concentrate on best practices that organizations need to put into place BEFORE a disaster strikes so that they can be ready to accept donations … and build their files for ongoing support.

I looked at 8 nonprofits that are mobilizing to provide relief.   Here are three that have defined plans … from eappeals to their websites … demonstrating that they have a strategy to take advantage of the “Free Media” coverage.

UNICEF USA - I received an eappeal with strong Lang “Child Survival Alert” … clearing outlining their efforts, and when I clicked to donate I went to a designated donation page for the disaster.  It is clear when you go to their home page where they are focusing their efforts … and the story does not compete for my attention.

World Vision - I didn’t get an eappeal … but you could say I was driven to the website as I saw them listed in a Washington Post article.  When you go to their website, immediately the video starts and tells you what they are doing in Myanmore … and how you can help … and then to a designated donation page.  No difficulty navigating this site!

Americares - Again, the lead story is on the home page … and you are directed to a designated donation page.  This site doesn’t have video … but the picture of those affected is strong and tells it’s own story. 

I hear you saying okay Sue this is great for disaster relief groups but that is not what our organization is all about … I would argue and say that ever nonprofit should have a strategy in place to take advantage of “free media.” 

Whether it is about some legislation you have been supporting, shortage of food in local food banks and soup kitchens, or the crisis in the Middle East … all of these issues get media coverage … the question … is your organization poised to take advantage? 

Regards,

Sue

I have been meeting with a variety of clients over the past several weeks … and when the subject of Social Media comes up … I am amazed at the push back I have gotten!  The first concern is about resource … and the time that is involved simply trying to staying updated on social networking sites where they have a presence, keeping pages fresh, approving friends etc.  Second … what is my ROI … in other words how much can I raised using social networks as a part of my overall strategy?  And third, how do I justify the time spent to my boss?!

Ah Ha … finally we get to the fundraiser / marketers dilemma … explaining and defending the strategy!

This is one of those areas that we don’t have all the facts and figures yet … but what we have become acutely aware of is that in order to do well in this customized communication age … you have to go where people are engaged, sharing with each other and spending time!  And therein lies the issue … social media is not just for fundraising.  Unlike mail where you acquire and then cultivate and steward for ongoing gifts … online you have to cultivate and steward before asking for support. 

That is what makes Social Networks such a great … and cost effective marketing resource for organizations.  You can build brand awareness … react quickly to media reports, and share your successes and the lives you touch to a broader audience and in turn they will share your story. 

One organization that went into Social Media head on and is now reaping the rewards is UNICEF.   UNICEF like many nonprofits was looking for a way to maximize their marketing dollars and get a broader exposure of their online videos.  They realized that simply having them posted on their website would attract a limited audience and they wanted to expand their outreach.  Marketing Sherpa shares how they went about creating a plan internally and with their online partner Virilion to create their MySpace page and video strategy.

Regards,

Sue

The other week I shared that many Corporate Foundations are looking to increase their grant awards in 2008 … now it appears that Foundations across the board are predicting the same … with just over 50% of grant makers intending to increase their levels of giving during 2008,  according to a recent article in the Chronicle of Philanthropy … despite the downturn in the economy!  

This is certainly good news for nonprofits! 

Foundations and their assets have grown significantly over the past decade … particularly during the economic boom years.  The number of foundations has increased by 31,000 to a total of 72,477 and giving has gone from $16.0 billion in 1997 to $42.9 billion in 2007 … with nonprofits reaping the benefits.

Individuals still rank as the largest source of donations for organizations (76%) … yet it is worth mentioning again … that as we look to diversify our funding sources it is nice to know that grants continues to be a growing resource.  

Regards,

Sue