Philanthropy Thoughts is now The Philanthropy Primer

Several thought provoking articles during the past two weeks…

Not necessarily philanthropy related, but a good book “ Made to Stick” first recommended to me by John Sebald of the Arizona Lutheran Academy, is reviewed at the website Lifehack.org

The topic of a The Donor/Charity Contract is addressed in the magazine FundRaising Success.  This aspect of philanthropy will only increase in importance as Gen X and the Millennials look to have greater involvement/control of their giving and have higher expectations regarding communications.

Red Cross and Johnson & Johnson dispute trademarks as the nonprofit ventures into tapping the resource of related business income.  This has HUGE implications as for-profits move into the nonprofit territory for purely commercial interests ( i.e. Dove’s Self Esteem Fund).  Both sides are looking to capitalize on the benefits of the other side… the corporate side of this topic is further explored by the NonProfit Times.

The nonprofit sector is seeing important mergers in the data support fields.  First Convio purchased GetActive, now Blackbaud has purchased eTapestry.  Credit to Paul Roberts to bringing this to my attention days before the story hit the news.

Looking to start a “Women in Philanthropy” interest group within your nonprofit?  Future Leaders in Philanthropy (FLiP) asks if their approach to philanthropy is different from that of men and wonders if this will change the direction of philanthropy.

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Lots of good articles the past week.  Employee donors…?  Yeah, we even have articles about that this week. Check out what Dear Nonprofiteer has to say about the subject of employee giving.

I promise reading this stuff is not a waste of time.  It’s from an old post, but I actually read this out loud in class today. Not specifically nonprofit focused, but appropriate for writers of individual giving appeals and copy for newsletters, websites and other forms of donor stewardship. Once again, thanks Dilbert.

Jeff Brooks at the Donor Power Blog discusses how to think less in terms of  getting “millions of contacts” and more about knowing individuals and discovering their passions.

Credit to Dave Ormsbee for the term “millions of contacts.” For he is the master of this approach to fundraising.

The More They Give, the More They Love You

All we need is love.

Have Donors Changed In 50 Years?

Check out the list of motivators… fodder for a future divisional meeting?  Carol, I didn’t see rocking chair, clock or plaque anywhere on the list.

Nonprofit CEOs should be donors’ best friends

I’m forever telling donors (and prospects) that I don’t necessarily have to ask for money.  Often times all I have to do is match donor passions with Cedarville needs….  But I’m not ashamed to flat-out ask when it’s appropriate.

According to Jeff Brooks from Fundraising Success, “…organizations need a sense of self confidence….” Truer words were never spoken.  My mom always said you will remember the negative more than the positive….  She also said people are more likely to complain than to compliment… thinks I use to temper negative donor feedback.