|
If one of your employees asked for the contact information for a specific donor, how long would it take for you to find the current phone number or email address on file? Do you have a way of recording every interaction you have with a potential supporter? Can you easily process online donations? CRM is the abbreviation of Customer (or constituent) Relationship Management. CRM systems are an essential tool for businesses, nonprofits, and organizations of every size and shape. They help nonprofits organize and keep track of all kinds of interactions with current and potential donors, volunteers, and everyone else in your network. Despite the dizzying number of CRM systems on the market, many organizations try to manage their CRM activities manually, which is usually inefficient, frustrating, and results in inaccurate records. Unfortunately, it can be an overwhelming process to try to find the right CRM software for your organization. There are so many products on the market with countless features and options. Which one is right for your organization? Have no fear! We are here to help you understand exactly what to look for in a great CRM system for your nonprofit.
There are plenty of experts offering reliable advice, countless podcasts, blogs, and websites about nonprofit fundraising. Which sites do you spend your valuable time and energy reading? Which ones will keep you updated on the latest trends, data, and resources? We curated a list of some of the best, most trustworthy blogs about fundraising for nonprofits. Each one is full of strategies, tactics, and tips that you can implement in your organization.
Which is better to have: one donor who gives $12,000 each year, or 10 donors who give $100 each month? It’s a trick question! They both equal $12,000, but nonprofits that gather 10 monthly donors are in a far better financial position than the organization that relies on large annual gifts. Monthly giving programs (sometimes called recurring donations or recurring giving programs) are the foundation of most nonprofits and charities. How do monthly giving programs work? Your supporters sign up and enroll in an automatic draft program that bills them monthly for the amount they would like to contribute to your cause (just like most of us pay our bills). Many organizations also offer bimonthly and quarterly giving options. Their donations show up in your bank account like clockwork each month! Monthly giving programs have a variety of benefits. It’s a fundraising strategy that creates a predictable cash flow with relatively low maintenance costs. Monthly giving programs may also open the door for you to attract major donors and help your current supporters give more.
When you think of university fundraising, most people immediately think of unsolicited phone calls where overly-caffeinated students recite talking points about your alma mater. The conversation almost always ends with an awkward--and sometimes wildly optimistic--request for a donation. Cold calling alumni isn’t the only fundraising method universities use, but it seems to be the most ubiquitous. Many alumni are actually very willing and eager to support their alma mater but are turned off by fundraising methods that appear outdated and out of touch with reality. The result is too much donor funding is left on the table. The good news: it doesn’t need to be this way! There are plenty of ways to bring university fundraising into the 21st century, improve overall giving, and build strong relationships with alumni. Here are four ways university fundraising can leverage an alumni network more effectively.
From bedtime stories told by exhausted parents to enchanting tales crafted by famous writers, stories capture our imagination, help us better understand ideas, and even shape our opinions about the world. Stories are the reason we stay up late to finish a book or watch a movie. The best communicator you know is probably an excellent storyteller, able to help you imagine what something looks, sounds, and even smells like, using only words. They help you feel as though you’ve been somewhere, even if you never left home. There’s an old Hopi Native American proverb that says, “Those who tell stories rule the world.” You might not be interested in ruling the world, but you’re likely very interested in changing the world through the work of your organization or nonprofit! Your organization likely creates powerful potential stories through your work in areas of transformation, hope, recovery, kindness, and many other beautiful things. Unfortunately, you might not have the time or resources to learn how to use these impactful stories to build that virtuous circle between storytelling and fundraising. While storytelling does require time and energy, it is certainly a worthwhile investment for any organization, especially those who have volunteers, donors, and other supporters.
Charity walks and runs gather countless people annually for a little hard work activity to benefit their favorite charities. From fun and irreverent to highly competitive, there’s something for people of every age and fitness level. The Mustache Dache encourages even the kids to sport impressive staches to support men’s health. On the "very athletic and competitive" end of the spectrum, World Vision’s relay team conquers the epic 199 mile Hood To Coast race annually. Whether you want to host a festive 5K for the whole family or attract competitive athletes to a more serious race, charity runs are exciting and effective fundraising events for nonprofits of all sizes. Here are some reasons charity runs and other athletic fundraising events work so well, and a quick-start guide to making sure your first charity run is a huge success.
Funding for public and private universities is getting tighter by the day, and development offices at universities around the world are quickly learning to adapt to a new reality. Higher education fundraisers need to keep sharpening their donor cultivation skills to learn new ways to fundraise to support research and teaching initiatives Internal research continues to find that fundraising for universities can be challenging and stressful, as donors often don’t consider investing in universities in the same way they think about donating to nonprofits or charities. We’ve done our own research from the university development landscape, and have put together some critical best practices for higher education fundraising.
A gala is a festival or celebration for a particular community. Galas typically focus on some characteristic of that community (usually a specific aspect of its culture, value system, or religion). Throughout history, galas included getting gussied up in your fanciest attire to enjoy food, entertainment, and celebration with your community. Fundraising galas have long been a useful tool for charities and nonprofits to expand their networks and raise much-needed money. Though they might sometimes feel like fundraising from a previous era, galas still work quite well for many organizations. Of course, it can be challenging to organize and execute an effective fundraising gala. Here are some handy tips and tricks to determine if a gala is right for your organization and ways to make your next fundraising gala a smashing success!
Amazon Smile is the sister website of Amazon.com with all the same products, features, and prices. Shoppers probably won’t notice any difference between the two sites. The sites are nearly identical, except when shoppers use Amazon Smile, the Amazon Smile Foundation donates 0.5% of the purchase price of all eligible items to a charity of the shopper’s choice. Amazon is the largest internet retailer in the world, so that 0.5% adds up quickly! Since it launched in 2013, the Amazon Smile Foundation donated over $80 million to nearly one million charities. In addition to your nonprofit's donation page, Amazon Smile is an easy, low cost way for your organization to receive a little passive income throughout the year. All your supporters need to do is set up their Amazon Smile account and select your charity, then start shopping like they usually do! Here are some tips and tricks to help your organization get more out of Amazon Smile.
Corporate sponsorship is when a for-profit company provides money, goods, or services to a nonprofit organization's event or program in exchange for promotional benefits, visibility, or other advertisements. Corporate sponsorships have been around for decades. Many Fortune 500 companies have dedicated corporate social responsibility departments who find charitable organizations to sponsor. A successful corporate sponsorship is beneficial to both the business and the nonprofit. The organization receives much-needed support, and the sponsoring company gains access to new audiences.
Nonprofit fundraising has always been a challenge. Convincing audiences, even your most passionate supporters, to donate their hard-earned money is never an easy task. It takes careful strategy, relationship-building, and (increasingly) the right tech toolkit. In 2020 and beyond, fundraising won't get any easier, but that doesn't mean you can't continually improve your strategies and approach! In fact, tech developments and current events all point to exciting new opportunities for nonprofits that are ready to rise to the challenge. Consider these points:
Whether you run a nonprofit or you're looking for a way to help your favorite charity, peer-to-peer fundraising is an excellent way to raise money and connect with new supporters. People are more likely to financially invest in a nonprofit if they have a relationship with the organization. Peer-to-peer fundraising can strengthen relationships with your current supporters and develop relationships with new donors. With a little creativity, the right tools, and a little support from your friends, you can rally the troops to make a significant impact. Here's a list of six peer-to-peer fundraising ideas to get you started!
Peer-to-peer fundraising is one of the best and easiest ways to get your donors and supporters involved in the fundraising process. More than 43% of nonprofits that use peer-to-peer fundraising report that it makes up over 50% of their annual revenue! New data suggests that peer-to-peer fundraising is one of the most effective fundraising methods available to nonprofit organizations. Unfortunately, over 45% of nonprofits don’t take advantage of this new and relatively low-cost fundraising method. Are you ready to incorporate peer-to-peer fundraising into your fundraising plan? Here are five steps you can take to ensure your peer-to-peer fundraising campaign is a success.
Peer-to-Peer fundraising is one of the fastest-growing forms of crowdfunding in the nonprofit world! Nonprofits who start Peer-to-Peer (P2P) fundraising campaigns can raise money, expand their donor base, and mobilize their current network of supporters all at once! There are many reasons you should consider launching a P2P fundraising campaign for your nonprofit. Here are some basics and a quick-start guide to help you launch your first Peer-to-Peer crowdfunding campaign.
Social media is a central part of our culture. Most people are on at least one platform, and Facebook is the most popular social media platform, followed by YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter. Social media is also transforming the way individuals and nonprofits network and fundraise. Facebook users donated over $2 billion to date, proving that social media platforms are significantly changing fundraising. If done correctly, you can expand your support base and raise significant funds on social media platforms, especially with Facebook. Here’s the key things you need to know before asking for donations on Facebook.
GivingTuesday began in 2012 as a grassroots movement to inspire people to give their time, talents, and finances to support causes and nonprofits they believe in. The movement quickly grew into a global effort, with millions of people around the world participating. The heart behind GivingTuesday is to unite people around a holiday centered on giving back during the season of consumerism and shopping (Black Friday and Cyber Monday). Since 2012, GivingTuesday efforts raised over $1 billion online in the United States alone! In 2018, nonprofits, schools, and organizations raised over $380 million online. The average gift size was $105. We’re excited to help you mobilize your volunteers, donors, and fans this GivingTuesday. No matter how big or small, your organization matters. GivingTuesday is an excellent opportunity to rally the troops, raise awareness about your cause, and bring in some year-end donations. Here are some tips for creating a successful GivingTuesday campaign.
Event registration can be very challenging and time-consuming. There are so many details to gather and track. But, having a smooth, seamless registration process for your guests is vital because this is their first impression of your event. Choosing an online event registration and fundraising software can be just as overwhelming! Many great options on the market offer loads of features and perks. However, there are several features that you just can’t live without. Here are five features that are “must-haves” for your event registration software.
You’ve decided to start a nonprofit in the New Year. That’s fantastic! There are so many needs and injustices in the world just waiting to be addressed. That feels especially true in 2022, after a tumultuous few years. There are currently 1.8 million nonprofits in the U.S., and we know that there are still so many gaps that need to be filled. Whether your mission is to improve your local community or address national or international issues, the world needs champions like you. Operating a nonprofit can be an enriching and life-giving journey, but it requires a lot of time, energy, and resources. It’s essential to be fully prepared and start the right way to avoid unnecessary complications and frustrations.
For nonprofit organizations, accepting donations online is absolutely essential today. Fortunately, it's easier than ever to get up and running with powerful sets of online fundraising tools quickly. However, the easiest online donation tools aren't always the most effective or the most valuable in the long-run! If you're new to online fundraising and are unsure of the best ways to accept donations online, it'll be worth your time to review the essentials.
Large or small, planning an event can be an overwhelming process. Have no fear! From setting your goals to running the event registration, we have all the information, resources, and tools you need to plan a successful event for your nonprofit. Here’s your step-by-step guide to plan events for your nonprofit that accomplish your goals. |
Donations
Events
Petitions
Forms
Shop
Directories