Recent Articles
Purpose-filled Tweets
May 17, 2009 Weblog Leave a comment
My initial experience with Twitter echos this statistic. I tried out the service and quickly grew frustrated and gave up on my account. However I rediscovered Twitter about four months later.
The difference between my first and second attempt was that when I returned I only shared “purpose-filled tweets.”
Like my mother would say “if you don’t have anything [nice] to say then don’t say anything at all.” I think this also applies to Twitter. It is a good idea to know how you will use the service before you sign up. For the person on the street, Micro-blogging can quickly become much like shouting into hurricane-force winds, an exercise in futility. If you have purpose behind each and every post it can actually add value to your personal and/or professional networks.
Managers Value Quantity Not Quality
May 11, 2009 Weblog Leave a comment
The ears of executive directors and fundraiser managers everywhere are burning. This article from onPhilanthropy.com is a must read for anybody that manages a development staff.
I have found that nonprofit leadership (when removed from frontlines fundraising) often times loses touch with the character qualities that define a productive fundraiser. These managers replace quality with quantity and have a deadfast focus on contacts and moves rather than the soft skill of making and maintaining sustainable donor relationships. Their focus tends to favor the here and now, meeting nearterm goals. This approach is to the detriment of a philanthropic culture that will outlast the tenure of current leadership.
I have yet to see a management system or measurement matrix that recognizes and rewards organizational pratices and policies that orientate the management structure as a donor-centered and mission-focused.
Role of the Nonprofit Website
May 11, 2009 Weblog Leave a comment
Thanks to the Chronicle of Philanthropy for the reminder and link to statistics regarding nonprofit use of the web. A nonprofit website is not just a place to post information about your organization. It should help facilitate an ongoing conversation with donors, prospects, and beneficiaries.
I think too often, nonprofits think of websites as a way to broadcast their needs. Instead they should use their website to engage philanthropists and prospective philanthropic investors. The organizational website is never a substitute for face-to-face interaction.
Advise Banking Friends in Transition to Volunteer
May 11, 2009 Weblog Leave a comment
Considering the recent news headlines and the fact that I live and work in Charlotte, North Carolina it should probably come as no surprise that I have been getting more and more calls from people in the banking industry. They are calling to ask for advice on how to make the transition to the nonprofit sector.
Sadly, they have limited knowledge about nonprofits. “I’m sorry, but your 7 years in marketing does not equal 7 years in nonprofit fundraising.” That isn’t what I’m telling them, but it is what I’m thinking. Unfortunately sales and marketing experience do not translate directly to fundraising, but that isn’t to say there is no correlation. That is the topic of this recent post from onPhilanthropy.
I am always open to newcomers to the profession of philanthropic facilitation, but I don’t know if the nonprofit sector would benifit by aquiring “leadership” from the banking industry. Am I alone in that opinion?
Always Leave a (thank You) Note
May 11, 2009 Weblog Leave a comment
Hat tip to Arrested Development for the post title inspiration.
I learned at an early age the power of the written note. My parents taught me that a well written note must be sent promptly but show thoughtfulness. It also must be personal but brief. My work in the nonprofit sector has proven to be no exception to this rule. I try to write a personal note for every gift regardless of the amount or designation.
Over the past six months I have increased the thank you effort and strive to spend as much time thanking donors as I do researching prospects and asking for support. I have learned that left piled up for more than a couple weeks, the task of thanking can become overwhelming. If done as gifts arrive it can be rewarding personal reminder of why the mission is so important and valuable exercise to increase donor retention.
Over the past three months I have noted that gifts have increased, both in amount and frequency. Considering the economic context, this as quite remarkable. Thanks to Tom from The Agitatior for helping reienforce the value of the thank you.