The Steps to Fantastic Networking by Susan J. Ellis of Energize, Inc.
Tired of hearing the word “networking”? Wonder if it’s just another way of describing making friends in a professional context? That is one way to look at it. But networking is much more intentional. You need to prepare, execute, and follow up, consciously and enthusiastically. In order to prove the adage “it’s all in whom you know,” you have to actually know people before you need to tap into their resources! So here are the basic steps.
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Security by Doug Nash
One of the major responsibilities of those organising a fundraiser is to ensure as best they can that the workers, usually volunteers are not put in possibly compromising situations. The most common in this regard are contact with and handling of stock and cash. For this reason, you, as an organiser should employ strict control over both these areas. There should be clarity, transparency and accountability.
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Succession Planning Starts Now by the AFRDS
If you’ve ever been unlucky enough to take the helm of a group or its fundraiser with no preparation, no records, and no help, you know how important smooth leadership transitions are. “I go into a lot of schools where the volunteers have no idea which company they used for fundraising last year,” says Steve Kirk, a fundraising professional in Phoenix, AZ. “They’re almost blind.”
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Are You Ready for Your Media Interview? by Paul Lima
Are you seeking media attention? Have you sent out media releases to promote your company, product, service or event? Are you attempting to use the media to reach potential customers, shareholders, sponsors, donors or other stakeholders? If so, you need to be prepared for interviews.
Even if you are not actively seeking media attention, you never know when a reporter might call. That’s why every business owner, executive and spokesperson should be able to answer questions pertaining to positive or negative news.
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Board Fundraising Agreements by Andy Robinson
A big barrier to successful board fundraising is the tendency to require all trustees to participate in the same activities and meet the same benchmarks: identify 20 prospects, sell 20 raffle tickets, apologize 20 times when asking for money, and so forth. Since we all begin with varied interests, abilities, and levels of commitment, a regimented approach like this is bound to fail.
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What You Should Know About Soothing a Disgruntled Donor by Kay Sprinkel Grace
It happens to all of us, no matter how hard we try. We upset a donor. Wrong name on the envelope. Continuing to write “Mr. and Mrs.” long after a death or divorce. Acknowledging the wrong amount for a gift. Misspelling a donor’s name in the annual report.
While any of these mistakes may be harmful, they don't necessarily sully your the relationship for the long term.
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Handling Money by Doug Nash
Considering how hard it can be to raise funds it is a little unsettling to witness or hear about how some groups handle the green stuff once they have it. Handling money is not a natural skill. How many stories do the rounds about people winding up bankrupt after winning a huge Lotto win or after benefiting from a large financial windfall? We have all heard them, however do we ever stop to think their may be some wisdom to be gained from looking a little closer at these horror stories.
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Know Your Organization by Tony Poderis
You start the process of becoming a fund-raiser for an organization when you first become involved with the organization. That's when you begin to acquire knowledge about an organization, and acquisition of knowledge is the first step in preparing to raise money. To sell any product, it is important to know just what the product is and what it does. It makes no difference whether you are a waitress explaining the intricacies of the specials of the day, a computer salesperson pitching the new improved model, or a solicitor in a fund-raising campaign.
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Get One Board Member Who Will Champion Your Cause from The Major Gifts Report newsletter
If your nonprofit has little history of securing major gifts, one the most important steps you can take is to enlist a financially capable board member who knows and is respected by others of means. If that person does nothing more than to help identify and attract other board members, he/she will have made a significant contribution to your cause.
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Writing a Nonprofit Annual Report
Seven Quick Tips by Kivi Leroux Miller
If you've been asked to write an annual report for a nonprofit organization, here are seven tips to get you on your way.
- Focus on accomplishments, not activities.
We want to know what you did, but more importantly, we want to know why you did it. What were the results? Why did you spend your time the way you did? What difference did it make?
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Evaluation by Doug Nash
Who benefits from evaluating? YOU DO!
Planning your event helps to avoid or minimize mistakes and so do the best you can, evaluation can help you avoid making the same mistakes and improve the return on your next effort both in the financial and fun departments. Companies and professional organisations use the tool of evaluation constantly to improve their performances in nearly everything that they do. As said elsewhere in this book, if it works for them then it will work for you and your organisation.
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Non-Profit Fund-Raising Demystified by Tony Poderis
When it comes to fund-raising, there are truths and myths. The truths illuminate the path to success. The myths speak with the dark voice of "conventional wisdom" of what can't be done and won't work. Throughout my career I have had to overcome three myths of fund-raising that would have me give up before I start. My tools have been The Nine Basic Truths of Fund-Raising.
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Committee Manual by Doug Nash
Survival and a smooth continuity are two of the biggest problems facing a charitable organisation. Raising funds to do charitable work is hard enough and to continue on an annual basis can be even harder. A committee manual is one step you can take to help ease this problem and in the process help future members not only to continue the work but help increase the returns for their efforts. It is an essential help and guide to new members who have had no previous experience on boards or committees.
This helps the momentum of the organisation to flow over election periods or when individuals retire and are replaced. It also helpful when recruiting new members, applying for grants or others financial income and organising new or annual events.
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Members Resource List by Doug Nash
Not all members can contribute financially or donate their time regularly. Be aware that while you may not know how best your members can help, your members may not know how best they can help either. A great way to cross this lack of knowledge is to have a Members Resource List.
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Fundraising Idea of the Month:
Brainstorming by Doug Nash
To fully utilize the collective intelligence and experience of your organisation and thus produce options that make the most of your group's capabilities.
Brainstorming is a tool deliberately used in commercial organisations to improve either the organisation, their market performance or their product. Rarely though is this valuable and versatile tool deliberately nor effectively used in non-profit organisations.
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Leadership Tips for Fundraisers by the Booster Clubs of America
LEADERSHIP TIPS FOR DIRECTORS
As a member of your organizations board of directors you have been chosen by your peers as a leader in the club. Possibly you have just been elected or you may be an "old hand." In either case your job is an important one with much responsibility.
The function of the board of directors is to establish and review major policy and plans of the group. Board members have specific legal and fiscal responsibilities to the members of the club, depending upon the degree and level of your club's organization.
Your job as a board member will involve working cooperatively with your president, your fellow board members, and club members.
This brochure is designed to help you achieve goals as a booster board member.
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And the Band Played On -
But not without a serious
commitment to fundraising by the AFRDS
On January 1, 2001, 350 million viewers took in the pageantry of the 112th Annual Tournament of Roses Rose Parade. Among the floats, the pretty girls in pretty cars, the high-stepping horses and gobs of rose petals, were 4,000 excited teenagers from sixteen high school bands participating in what was, for most, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to march before the world. Hours of practice, preceded by hours of behind-the-scenes coordination by bandleaders, students and their parents are impressive enough. Add the fact that almost every one of these bands had to first raise the money before they could make the trip. Now, that's a story to tell.
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So You're on a Fund Raising Committee
Part 1 by the Booster Clubs of America
TYPES OF COMMITTEES
Whether you are a booster committee chairman or committee member, you will play an important part in your booster club. How much you contribute during your term can have considerable bearing on the success of the club and its members.
The purpose of this booklet is to provide some guidelines that may help make your role as a booster committee chairman or member easier and more significant.
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So You're on a Fund Raising Committee
Part 2 by the Booster Clubs of America
PLANNING FOR A SPECIAL SOCIAL COMMITTEE
You can't have a successful meeting without proper individuals on your committees. As chairman you will probably be requested to select your committee members. Your booster president can help you tremendously with this task by pointing out individuals who will fit into your particular committee and have some knowledge of the subject you are to consider. By all means, seek his or her help and put the people on your committee who have sufficient experience and working knowledge to aid you in performing the task assigned your committee. If your committee is composed entirely of individuals unfamiliar with the subject, the entire burden of directing and leading your group will fall directly on your shoulders.
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So You're on a Fund Raising Committee
Part 3 by the Booster Clubs of America
GUIDELINES FOR COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
During your term as chairman of a committee, the most constant help will come from your booster president, and the board of directors. Many of your plans can and should be made in conjunction with them. To a great extent your ability to work with them will largely govern your success as a committee chairman and leader in your booster club.
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So You're on a Fund Raising Committee
Part 4 by the Booster Clubs of America
GUIDELINES FOR COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Your committee chairman is faced with a demanding job and has the responsibility of presiding at your meetings and guiding them in such a way that a definite decision is reached and positive action is taken that is beneficial to the booster club.
As a member of a committee your job is important and you can assist in making the meeting as successful as possible by observing the following suggestions:
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So You're on a Fund Raising Committee
Part 5 by the Booster Clubs of America
A CHECKLIST FOR COMMITTEES
However, not all committees are successful. The following checklist provides guidelines to insure success of your committee.
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Wish I Knew Then What I Know Now by the AFRDS
Ever felt like that before? Ask any former fundraising chair that question and you'll get an unequivocal, "YES!" Then they'll tell you how their predecessor could have made their job easier.
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Fundraising Idea of the Month: What You Don't Know Can Hurt You by Doug Nash
Any time spent improving your knowledge and position in regards to the legalities associated with different types of fundraising in your part of the world is time and effort well spent. Please believe that what you don't know may not just hurt you - it can turn your life and those around you into a complete misery!!! Due to the nature of the audience and the myriad of traps for fundraisers, this article can't cover all aspects. However I will try to impress upon you the basic message by covering some of the larger dangers and to encourage you to adopt a better outlook to help be less likely to be taken unawares.
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How Does your Fundraising Committee Rate? by Lauralee Oenick
It's difficult to improve fundraising efforts, if you dont know how your committee is doing! Has your fundraising committee ever thought about keeping score? Scorecards are a familiar item to most people - they contain important information that helps to identify strengths and weaknesses and improve over-all performance. Applying this concept to fundraising how would your sellers and their families rate your committee, if given the chance?
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FUNDRAISER OF THE MONTH
"One fast fundraiser before school ends!"