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)

Charity auctions now have a community website that will allow for the interchange of ideas and concept from volunteers, development personnel and staff involved in the fundraising auction process. Based on their 12 years of experience managing more than 30 auction events a year, the Winters have developed a website providing membership that features:

1. Chat Room where members can talk in real time.
2. Message Board where ideas and questions can be posted for all to address.
3. Donation Exchange where members in different parts of the country an exchange acquisitions.
4. Auction Forms to Download, all the forms that an organization need to manage an auction.
5. Hundreds of Auction Resources and Referrals, auctioneers, theme ideas, suppliers.
6. Immediate email access for all members for questions and problems.
7. Monthly Charity Auction Newsletter.
8. Contests for Unique Donations.

The Winters are the authors of two books, “Going…Going…Gone!”, a 225 page workbook on how to run an auction and “The Winning Bidder Is…” a comprehensive plan for the night of the auction. In addition they have developed a reasonable priced, easy to use software to manage the auction. They have been responsible for more than 300 organizations raising approximately $25,000,000. Their recent seminars have attracted more than 600 attendees across the country and their newsletter has more than 8,000 subscribers.

Membership is available on the website at: charityauctionhelp.com.

If you ever find yourself drawing a blank when it comes to fundraising strategies try stopping by The River Fundraising Alert brought to you by The River Network.

They have a great article about choosing your fundraising strategies that deals with the different fundraising needs of nonprofits and the best options to pursue in the search of funding for them. Included are: startup/transition funding, general operating support, projects, office equipment/building purchase, crisis/emergency funding, and reserves/endowments. They also have a checklist for ranking fundraising strategies.

Check out the article at http://www2.rivernetwork.org/library/fra2004_v11n2.htm.

Best Buy Co., Inc. has unveiled a consumer electronics recycling grant program to help increase the recycling opportunities available in communities across the country. The program is part of Best Buy's commitment to help consumers nationwide make safe, responsible decisions when disposing of old and unwanted consumer electronics.

The program will provide two streams of grants - the first stream will provide support for events hosted by 501©3 nonprofit organizations. The second stream will support events hosted by other organizations in cities and townships across the country (e.g., cities, counties, public-private partnerships). Grants will range from $500 to $1,500, depending on the size and scope of each organization's event program and the recycling need in the area.

Read more and apply for a grant online: http://www.e4partners.com/recycling_grants.htm

Our recent article by Tony Poderis on the subject of Donor List Selling or Exchanging came just as our friends across the big pond at the DRF Group were introducing a new 40 minute video entitled, "List Swap Essentials".

Here is how they are pitching the video to their UK nonprofit groups-

The Essentials of List Swap Fundraising will guide your charity through the 5 keys to successful legacy fundraising:

• Recruiting new donors
• List Swaps - The Economics
• List Swaps - The Key Issues
• The four keys to implementation
• Legal do's and don'ts

Get a glimpse inside the UK fundraising scene and see how they operate. You just might get an insight or small tidbit that will give you an edge over the competition.

I got this link from their email newsletter, but normally they sell this video for £49.95. You should really sign up for their free newsletter and get lots of good information like this. Here's a link to their website where you can check them out and sign up: DRF Group.

Ok, I've tortured you enough, here is the link to the video: http://www.eurodm-drfgroup.co.uk/listswapvideo/listswap_video/indexT.lasso