Sharpie Autographs For Education National Signature Contest asks teachers to use the contest entry form for students to collect signatures. The 150 schools with the most signatures at the end of the year will each win $5,000 in school supplies. This contest challenges each entrant to gather the greatest number of different signatures and submit them to Sharpie in an effort to win supplies and other products for their school.

For more information see their website at: http://www.sharpie.com/enUS/AFE/sweepstake.html

The Agitator (a blog) interviewed Bethany Little, Convio's Director of Client Success Services- supervisor of the interactive specialists who execute e-fundraising campaigns, website design, social networking promotions, search optimization and more. They picked her brain about converting online visitors into donors.

Here are some of her thoughts:

• Indeed, make the investment in user testing ... know thy audience.
• Don't give donors options to leave the Donate page.
• Do give mutiple giving options.
• Use dynamic content to leverage previous contributions.
• Less clicks from start to finish, as well as less information collecting, the better.
• Get websites out of the hands of IT folks.
• Expect click-through rates in the .5%-2% range for email fundraising appeals

Get the whole interview via a PDF on their website at: http://www.theagitator.net/uploads/closingtheonlinedonation.pdf

Make sure and also visit their website and get fundraising & advocacy stategies, trends, and tips ... with an edge - http://www.theagitator.net

Are you an individual or member of an organization and do you have a good idea but are looking for funding? Sounds kind of vague for a grant application doesn't it? But that is just what the Case Foundation is looking for.

From their website:

Do you want to make a difference in your community? We're looking for inspired individuals and passionate teams who are connecting people to discuss what matters, find smart solutions, and take action. And we're awarding grants up to $35,000 to help make it happen. If you're ready to work with others to achieve lasting change, we want to hear from you.

For more information visit their web site: http://www.casefoundation.org/make-it-your-own/awards

Last September, Paul Krupin, a Kennewick, WA parent, confronted a vexing challenge that many a parent and educator faces each school year. To support school sports and club activities, his teenage daughter was once again asked – actually required - to do fundraising. The dismal options hadn’t changed in years: cake, cookie dough, soda, candy and lots of useless paraphernalia.

Only Krupin, a 55 year old newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic, couldn’t eat the products being pushed. Then he learned that the kids and school weren’t even making that much money. In spite of their tremendous investment in time and effort, returns averaged only 20 to 25 percent. Exasperated, he decided that he’d try to come up with something better for them.

So he went looking for a better fundraising opportunity that met three mandatory criteria: 1. it had to be a popular high quality product that the kids would support and even get excited about; 2. it had to be something parents and customers would readily buy and support happily; and 3. a hefty lion’s share of the money received had to go to the needy organization raising the funds.

Krupin, is a once-upon-a-time attorney and retired federal government employee. He’s written numerous books and has worked as a publicist for hundreds of book publishing companies and authors. His survey of the fundraising field showed a glut of food products and paraphernalia, very few of which provided the simple, practical and effective fundraising solution that parents, teachers, and organizations need to make their fundraising easier. The fundraising arena appeared ripe for renovation and reformation. It turned out that he’d have to reinvent the fundraising business a little.

So he went to work and used his business acumen and book publicity contacts. For several months last fall he developed and presented formal business proposals to numerous of the top product manufacturers and publishing companies. His patience and persistence paid off.

Starbucks and Apple politely declined. Numerous others just didn't match the requirements. But in January 2007, right after the New Year, he received word that Health Communications Inc., with headquarters in Deerfield Beach, Florida, publishers of the best selling Chicken Soup for the Soul series, was interested and decided to support his venture. Then over the next four months, a special new initiative, Chicken Soup Fundraising, was carefully created.

Krupin found out that you have to not only understand the world of business and technology these days, but you still have to be exquisitely sensitive to the human side of all the interactions people will have in the fundraising process. In the world of school fundraising, in particular, people will feel more inclined to spend money if they sense that there is real higher value for their efforts and commitment. People are tired of products that aren’t healthy and that don’t feel comfortable or right for the kids. How people feel while fundraising makes the crucial difference between success and failure.

Krupin said that the people at Health Communications were very receptive to the idea of helping fundraisers with books that focus on building self-esteem. “This fits right in with their mission as the life issues publisher. They are dedicated to helping people one book at a time. They paid attention and listened carefully to what fundraisers needed, and were helpful in helping me design and develop the system so that fundraisers could do their jobs better.”

“The Chicken Soup for the Soul books authors Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen have created book after book that offer hope and inspiration to all types of special people and those who love and teach them,” Krupin said. “Every book is packed with candid truth, and humor, and helpful information, and awe inspiring lessons in how to deal with day to day problems and challenges. They allow people to be entertained and educated by personal and unique stories that always celebrate the person they are intended for.”

“Teachers read the Chicken Soup for the Soul stories to their students and in some cases even use them as textbooks to illustrate personal integrity, drive, determination, self-acceptance, living balanced and achieving fulfillment, and developing emotional intelligence for their classes. So using these books is a wonderful feel good educational opportunity,” Krupin said, “and it comes with one of the highest rates of return available in the fundraising industry”.

Non-profit organizations can do a fundraiser quickly and take orders for Chicken Soup for the Soul books. They receive 50 percent ($7.50 cents a book) for each book sold. So if a group has 20 members and each person sells just ten books, the group can raise $1500 and do it in a weekend.

Krupin said, “It’s pretty easy to be successful because people love Chicken Soup for the Soul books. They are well known and highly regarded because they contain true, heart warming inspirational stories written by people from all over.”

“People are usually surprised at how many Chicken Soup for the Soul books there are and how many subjects they cover.” More than 150 Chicken Soup for the Soul books have actually been published since 1994.

Krupin hand selected the top 50 of the most popular Chicken Soup for the Soul books for the four page full color catalog he created. The catalog includes books written for families, teens, children, pets and animals, professionals, sports and various hobbies. Smaller specialized catalogs can also be created to provide a dedicated focus to meet a unique topical interest or need.

The Chicken Soup Fundraising web site was custom programmed so that people can request and download all the catalogs and order forms they need for free and can place and track their orders online.

While developing the web site, Krupin demonstrated fundraising success with the People to People Ambassador Program, and the Young Life Christian Youth organization. He even had an eleven year old from Denver raise money for summer camp. He has also created an alliance with the North American Booster Club Association.

Krupin said that the fundraising program will be particularly beneficial to sports teams, schools, libraries, non-profit organizations, clubs, civic groups, religious groups and even for individual personal fundraisers for church missions and to defray travel expenses and the like. There is a 25 book order minimum, which is quite reachable and attainable even for small groups and individuals.

The process operates just like any planned fundraiser they are already familiar with. “Anyone can just download and print the catalog off the Internet or we’ll supply people with all the catalogs they need to do their fundraiser for free by mail,” Krupin said. “You just make out a request online. Books are shipped and delivered via Fed Ex or UPS within two to three weeks.”

Fundraising can be done person to person, of course. There are also good opportunities to get quantity orders by working with groups and organizations and businesses. Some people are also sending the catalog as an attachment file cross country using their email and the Internet, Krupin said.

Krupin said he hopes his exercise in social entrepreneurship does more than just help needy fundraisers raise funds to support their goals. “This is a unique opportunity,” he said, “being able to offer fundraisers and the communities they serve a chance to really touch people with something good that has transformative powers.”

“You get to share wisdom, give useful advice, help people and raise money at the same time. It’s a real good feeling. You might even like it so much you come back for a second helping.”

For more information visit www.ChickenSoupFundraising.com or send an email message to info@ChickenSoupFundraising.com or call 509-545-2707 (1-800-457-8746 toll free US).

The Maryland Governor's office on Service and Volunteering has developed a handy tool, "Best Practices for Developing a Volunteer Program."

This free online ten section guide looks at:

1. Planning and Organization
2. Policies and Procedures
3. Volunteer Recruitment
4. Screening, Interviewing and Placement
5. Orientation and Training
6. Supervision
7. Volunteer Performance Evaluation
8. Retention and Recognition
9. Measuring Volunteer Program Effectiveness
10. Suggested Resources for Further Reference

Take a look and print it out at: http://www.gosv.state.md.us/volunteerism/publications.asp. Scroll down until you see volunteerism.

Probably not the kind of stars you're thinking of, but they might want to attend!

NASA has a complete online guide for hosting your own "Star Party", a sky gazing event with a chance to see planets, seasonal constellations, deep sky objects, and the moon. Time your sky party right and you can see the International Space Station or the space shuttle!

You don't have to be astronomy buffs to host a star party, but it sure wouldn't hurt to have some on hand to answer questions and maybe even set up a telescope or two. No, star parties just make for an interesting event for the curious. And a great opportunity for a fundraiser for almost any group.

NASA's online guide features-

1. Star Party Planning Guide
2. NASA Exhibits and Speakers
3. Decorations
4. Games and Activities
5. Space Trivia
6. Arts and Crafts
7. Star Party Photos
8. Party Supplies

Check it all out here: http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/sightings/index.html

Wachovia Bank is looking for nonprofits to give grant money to. If your nonprofit's area of focus is in education, community development, health/human services, or arts/culture you may be eligible.

For more information check out their grants webpage at: http://www.wachovia.com/inside/page/0,,139_414_430_432,00.html

More than 55% of Nonprofits Frustrated by Lack of Resources and Leadership Support for Marketing, But Only 37% Do the Tracking that Generates Increased Budgets and Confidence

Newly released survey findings drawn from 350 nonprofit communicators show that few nonprofits track the results of their marketing efforts, so can’t demonstrate the effectiveness of their efforts to reach critical audiences.

“Many nonprofits have no idea what's working and what's not, or how to target their resources,“ says Nancy Schwartz, blogger at Getting Attention (www.gettingattention.org) and president of Nancy Schwartz & Company (www.nancyschwartz.com), who conducted the survey. “Nonprofits that don't evaluate are basically throwing their marketing resources into thin air. Evaluation should be built into every marketing budget and job description.”

The 2007 Getting Attention Nonprofit Marketing Survey investigated strategies and effectiveness in the field. Schwartz sees tracking effectiveness as the path to securing critical budget increases and leadership support. While evaluation is challenging, she says, "It is just as crucial as getting campaigns out there." Evaluation options, according to Schwartz, include the purely qualitative – such as a communications audit and audience research via focus groups – and the quantitative such as counts of unique visitors to different Web landing pages or advocates who email their representatives in response to an e-campaign.

Funders have also started to ask that grantees evaluate marketing impact. Bruce Trachtenberg, Executive Director of The Communications Network (an association of communicators who primarily work for and with foundations), says, "If grantees receive support to help them expand their reach, grow and extend their services, or better position themselves to catch the attention of new donors, advocates or volunteers, the only way they can show that this money is being well used is to track and assess the results of their marketing efforts."

Survey respondent Claire Steigner, development officer for Father Bill's Place, says she needs to know which communications are most effective for each of her target audiences – donors, community partners, and volunteers. “That's the only way we can market effectively to each audience, especially with limited resources."

Jennifer Vick, communications consultant and former Resource Development and Communications Manager of ARC of East Central Iowa, says measuring communication impact is a challenge. “I can easily report my outputs – how many PSA's were sent, brochures handed out, articles placed – but without impact data it’s hard to establish benchmarks.”

More key findings:

• 2006 Marketing Successes Many and Varied, including: surpassing fundraising goals; gaining leadership buy-in; finalizing pithy messaging that’s used consistently; and launching a communications calendar.

• Nonprofit Marketers Want to Hurdle these "Big 3" Barriers faced in 2006:
  • Over 55% of communicators cite lack of resources and/or leadership support as major challenge

  • 32% cited lack of clarity in messaging and marketing agenda

  • 52% are frustrated at missing fundraising, media coverage or other marketing goals.

• 2007 Marketing Agendas Concentrating on 2 or more of 5 Key Opportunities - Over 55% of nonprofit communicators are focusing on these strategies:
  • Targeting campaigns to specific audience segments

  • Integrating confusing communications silos so program and organizational marketing is coordinated with fundraising, membership and volunteer communications

  • Evaluating impact.

  • Training colleagues, volunteers and board members on marketing plans and messages

  • Experimenting with Web 2.0 social networking channels to find out what works, and what doesn't -- from MySpace to podcasts and video blogs

This analysis is based on data submitted by communicators working in or with over 350 nonprofit organizations and foundations, working in a broad range of issue areas from civil rights to homelessness. The survey is the first in what will be an annual study of trends, successes and benchmarks in nonprofit marketing.

Survey available for review at www.nancyschwartz.com/survey.html.

More detail on survey results at www.nancyschwartz.com/2007_nonprofit_marketing_survey.html.

About Getting Attention/Nancy Schwartz

The Getting Attention blog and e-newsletters (www.gettingattention.org) are no-charge, high-value sources of ideas, tactics, and tips for nonprofit communicators focused on helping their organizations succeed through effective marketing. Publisher and Editor Nancy Schwartz also provides nonprofit marketing services via Nancy Schwartz & Company (www.nancyschwartz.com)