The story of a small nonprofit and the power of social media

September 27, 2011

What lessons can you learn from a small Seattle nonprofit about media justice, the power of social media and great stewardship? Check out the story of Reel Grrls.

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Do you know your fundraising personality?

September 26, 2011

Have you ever given any thought to your particular asking style?  I’ve always known that I preferred tackling fundraising tasks such as copywriting or prospect research or building a one-on-one relationship over event planning or public speaking but until I met Andrea Kihlstedt, I never knew that I had an actual asking style. I sat […]

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A funding windfall…even in a declining economy!

September 22, 2011

Do you ever wonder why some nonprofit organizations (one third to be exact) routinely increase their fundraising, year after year, despite the economy … while others muddle along? Chris Davenport, the man behind Movie Mondays, together with the Alford Consulting Group, has created an innovative new coaching and training program designed to give even the […]

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Your secret weapon: A Master Mind

September 21, 2011

Since this post was originally published, the Blackbaud report Growing Philanthropy in the United States was released.  Among other recommendations it suggested Promoting the development of shared back office facilities.  The study “recommended that groups of nonprofits in a given community get together and share fundraising expertise with the creation of one central back office […]

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Post-it® | Donor-centered lift notes for the small shop

September 11, 2011

I can still recall my delight years ago when a new colleague gave me a beautiful handmade birthday card. On the back she had designed her own logo, framed with the words “because Hallmark doesn’t know how nice you are.” I kept that card for years. The personal touch can set your organization’s appeal letters […]

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Thar’s Gold in Them Thar Testimonials!

September 6, 2011

Are you making it a practice to collect testimonials? “Say what???”  Testimonials?  What are testimonials? Testimonials are snippets of conversations that you’re probably having on a daily basis.  They’re pure gold and chances are you’re letting them slip though your fingers! When a guest at your recent event raves about the work your organization is […]

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Could you borrow the smartest thing I ever did?

August 31, 2011

Back in 2000, I quit my job with one of the region’s largest grantmaking foundations to take on a development position with a mid-sized community health agency (annual budget $3M).  My task?  To create a development department from the ground up. I don’t need to tell you that it was challenging! Thanks to a successful […]

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In gratitude | What a Southern Gentleman Taught Me

August 24, 2011

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us. (SCHWEITZER)   Who has made an impact on your life?  Is there a teacher or a family member or an […]

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How Small Nonprofits Can Take Advantage of Google Grants

August 17, 2011

Today’s guest post was written by Cody Damon. Last week I was indoctrinated into the #smNPchat on Twitter. It was a great group of folks looking to get more information about the Google Grants program – Google’s in-kind advertising program for 501(c)3 nonprofits. We chatted about some of the strategy behind effectively managing a Google […]

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Google Grants: should the small nonprofit bother?

August 10, 2011

By now everyone is probably familiar with the Google Grants program.  According to Google, their grants program is a “unique in-kind donation program awarding free AdWords advertising to select charitable organizations.”  A grantee can receive up to $10,000 dollars a month worth of advertising on Google.com per month, while the average Grantee spends closer to […]

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The key to donor-centricity

July 27, 2011

There’s no such thing as “generic’ persuasion. Truly understanding your organization’s ideal donor is the most important element in your fundraising success. Have you created your organization’s “donor profile?” What is her level of education?  Where does she shop?  What other organizations does she contribute to?  What is her income level?  Where does she live?  […]

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Testing the Google+ waters

July 20, 2011

Remember Google Wave? How about Google Buzz? Yeah, me neither.  And as much as I love tech, I’m so not an early adopter.  Twitter had been online for a full two years before I dipped a toe in the water.  My beloved Mac is four years old and still going strong. Yet something about Google+ […]

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The Power of Social Media and the Individual Donor

July 10, 2011

I met Kurtlan Massarsky in a recent #smNPchat on Twitter and initially contacted him to discuss his agency’s monthly giving program.  During our chat he mentioned his experience in utilizing the shopping site Groupon for his nonprofit, Northeast Animal Shelter.  I wasn’t very familiar with the concept of Groupon for nonprofits and asked Kurtlan if […]

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Using your organization’s newsletter to raise money – a Simple Development Systems case study

July 5, 2011

When the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art’s latest newsletter landed in my mailbox last week I shouted “yes!” and immediately contacted their Director of Development, Tonya Ricks to ask about featuring their piece in an upcoming article. Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art, one of the oldest museums in the state of Oklahoma, is a member of the […]

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Is your nonprofit focused on lack or abundance?

July 1, 2011

Are you engaged in “poverty consciousness?” Do you need to change your belief systems about money?  Are you giving your organization’s fundraising and development efforts short shift  because you’re unwilling to allocate any resources to marketing? Are you focused on lack rather than abundance? Before you think that I’m getting all new-agey on you I’m […]

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How I learned to love writing appeal letters. And some of what I’ve learned.

June 27, 2011

This guest post comes to us via Mary Cahalane, a delightful fundraiser I initially came to know through Twitter.  Mary is currently development manager at Riverfront Recapture, a Hartford, Connecticut based nonprofit that is reconnecting the area to its riverfront by building beautiful public parks and creating programs, performances and events that are free for […]

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Lessons from Giving USA 2011: Be a tortoise, not a hare

June 21, 2011

The much anticipated Giving USA 2011 report is out and, while the news of a modest 2% overall increase in giving isn’t exactly cause for celebration, there are a few key indicators that nonprofits who adhere to a slow and steady approach will emerge victorious. Individual giving rose an estimated 2.7%, while bequest giving rose […]

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Your fundraising success is mostly a matter of decision

June 14, 2011

Remember, a real decision is measured by the fact that you’ve taken new action. If there’s no action, you haven’t truly decided. Tony Robbins For successful fundraising, you’ll need to break free of your old reacting and responding mode and switch to the assertive proactive mode.  Make a commitment here and now to reject the […]

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What are the secrets to a terrific nonprofit annual report?

June 6, 2011

When the Small Nonprofit Chat on Twitter (#smNPchat) discussed last week what organizations can do to improve their annual reports it quickly became clear that many nonprofits have merely been “going through the motions.” Have you taken the “comfortable” way out, simply grabbing your agency’s annual report  from last year and updating the numbers?  Ouch.  […]

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The one book that changed my professional life (and why)

May 16, 2011

The topic of this month’s Nonprofit Blog Carnival hosted by Nancy Schwartz is “What single book (not blog, not conversation, not Facebook page) has changed your life as a nonprofit staffer, consultant or vendor?” If you’re one of my regular readers you know that I’m constantly recommending books to my readership, both fundraising and non-fundraising. […]

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