Hi. It’s moi (me) again. Yes, I’m still in France. The guests have left. (We had such fun with sister and cousin and their respective in-law partners.)
So now it’s email every day. And I read a lot and then I want to share with you. So here goes….
Some more research:
- Ah, fundraising and technology. Check out this research, 2014 Fundraising Technology Trends. In this study with fundraisers, 80% believe that “better technology leads to more effective fundraising.” You’ll also find info about specific tech strategies, software, etc. — all focused on fundraising.
- Did I already tell you about the newest research from the Nonprofit Research Collaborative? Check out their “Nonprofit Fundraising Study – Mid-year Update (January – June 2014).” This regular study reviews charitable gifts for Canadian and U.S. charities.
Here are some keepers for all us nonprofit organizations, we leaders, us fundraisers… And some short little things to read and share with your colleagues. Please. Please. S’il vous plaît. Share these with your staff colleagues at an all-staff meeting. Help your program staff and the receptionist and the janitor understand staff.
- Jeff Brooks and Baby Boomers.… We Boomers are a big group and we are many of your donors. And, by the way, we have 70% of the disposable income in the U.S. So how are you doing with us?
- Jeff Brooks tells us to read the great blog series: “Donors Are Your Mission, Too.” Read more at the Veritus Group. Face it people! The real “game changer” is donor centrism, which produces loyalty.
- Stop that darn brand conversation – or at least reshape it! And watch out for awareness and visibility. Please please. Read Jeff Brooks’ “we exist” blog. And make sure you read his blog about awareness campaigns. And then read Sean Triner’s awareness piece at 101Fundraising.
- Check out this great op-ed piece about sponsorships in the 10-22-14 NYT…Any applicability to nonprofits? Because I can think of one in particular!
Short little things to read. Good powerful little things to share. Please please please ….. S’il vous plaît. Share these things with your staff colleagues … Like at the all-staff meeting. This stuff is great to help your program staff and the receptionist and janitor understand stuff. And for your board members, too.
All these people are your ambassadors and your partners in philanthropy and fundraising. Ambassadors… So here’s a great one about brand ambassadors from Seth Godin. I hope you read Seth regularly. Yes, his comments are useful for fundraising and any business and pretty much most lives. Everyone is a brand ambassador for your charity. Everyone!
And there’s more!
- What would be a resource list without our friends Roger and Tom at The Agitator. Check out the extinction of donor Sapiens. And then go to the original inspiration by Francesco Ambrogetti at 101 Fundraising. Check out 101 Fundraising. It’s pretty darn cool.
- Now here’s an interesting question: “Do Twitter and TV Shrink Your Brain?” And how about all that multi-tasking? Check out Roger Dooley’s update. Subscribe to his free e-news, www.neurosciencemarketing.com.
- Have you had that gift acceptance talk with your board? I mean a really engaging conversation at various levels with various committees and with staff. And then a board-level decision. Check out this article from the Nonprofit Quarterly.
Every single one of these items could be a good conversation starter at your organization. Leaders stimulate conversations. Leaders bring in strategic and cage-rattling conversations to generate perspective and engage in meaningful conversation.
Yes, there is time to have these conversations. Yes, there is time to use conversation as a core business practice. If you cannot find / make the time… then what are you doing?!
Okay. That’s it. Back to vacation.
