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Viewer's Questions Of The Week!
In this episode of The Nonprofit Show, co-hosts Jarrett Ransom and Muhi Khwaja tackle viewer questions, providing valuable answers and guidance. One viewer seeks advice on getting board members to meet in person instead of relying solely on virtual meetings. Muhi suggests a hybrid approach, allowing board members to choose between in-person and virtual attendance. He emphasizes the benefits of face-to-face interaction and suggests setting a precedent by having board leadership attend in person.
Another viewer shares their concern about an employee mistreating a volunteer at an event. Both co-hosts agree that the incident should be reported to the volunteer coordinator or senior leadership within the organization. They stress the importance of addressing such behavior promptly and maintaining a respectful environment for all volunteers.
A viewer from Chicago raises the issue of financial transparency within their nonprofit. They believe the finance department should share more than just revenue information. Muhi suggests including expense details in annual reports and utilizing the publicly accessible Form 990, which provides financial statements. Jarrett adds that board reports often contain relevant financial information and recommends reaching out to the finance department for access to this data.
The final question expresses concern about lacking a college education and how it may hinder their advancement in the nonprofit sector. Muhi advises pursuing certificate programs in nonprofit leadership or fundraising and taking advantage of free resources like webinars. He also suggests finding mentors in the field and seeking professional development opportunities within their current organization. Jarrett shares her own experience, highlighting that passion and natural abilities can be more valuable than a degree when it comes to hiring in the fundraising sector. She mentions the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and Young Nonprofit Professional Networks (YNPN) as valuable resources for career development.
Top 5 Ways To End The Year Strong
Jarrett Ransom, CEO of the Rayvan Group and nonprofit expert, shares five essential tips for nonprofits to finish the year strong. These strategies are interconnected and by implementing these approaches, nonprofits can enhance performance, build stronger relationships, and make a greater impact in their communities.
The first tip focuses on goal assessment and planning. Evaluating progress, making course corrections, and setting clear expectations ensure nonprofits stay on track to achieve their intended outcomes.
Donor engagement and stewardship are emphasized next. Timely and meaningful interactions with donors lead to increased giving and stronger relationships. Nonprofits should utilize various communication channels to engage effectively with donors.
Fundraising campaigns play a significant role in finishing the year strong. Setting monetary and impact goals, and effectively communicating them to donors generates excitement and support for the cause.
Financial review and reporting are often overlooked but crucial for success. Regularly reviewing financial data and ensuring accurate reporting help maintain integrity and compliance with funders' requirements.
Lastly, volunteer appreciation is highlighted as a critical strategy. Recognizing and appreciating volunteers' contributions not only supports the mission but also turns them into powerful advocates and ambassadors. Nonprofits are encouraged to show appreciation through certificates, events, and social media sharing.
Implementing these tips will enable nonprofits to enhance performance, build stronger relationships, and make a greater impact in their communities.
Engaging Donors Where They Are Now!
Matt Nash, the Executive Director of the Blackbaud Giving Fund, discusses the importance of engaging donors "where they are now". The Blackbaud Giving Fund is a 501(c)(3) sponsor of a donor-advised fund that supports workplace giving and peer-to-peer fundraising. They distribute funds to nonprofits based on donor recommendations.
This Show provides valuable insights into engaging donors effectively, adapting to changing donor attitudes, and leveraging technology and data to improve donor communication and relationships.
Nash highlights the need for nonprofits to be more intentional in their approach to donors. He explains that donors today want to be more involved and understand the organizations they support on a deeper level. They are looking for alignment with their values and want to have a meaningful impact, presenting both an opportunity and a challenge for nonprofits to effectively communicate and connect with donors.
The discussion also touches on the issue of donor contact and communication. Nash suggests that nonprofits should be where their donors are, whether it's through physical or virtual platforms and emphasizing the importance of telling impactful stories and providing information about the purpose, outcomes, and impacts of nonprofit work. Nash also mentions the use of technology platforms and databases to identify and target specific groups of donors, allowing for more personalized and effective communication.
The conversation then shifts to the attitudes and behaviors of the next generation of donors and how younger donors amplify the existing trends seen among donors today. They are even more interested in getting engaged and want to know more about the causes they support. Nash highlights the potential of these younger donors in terms of their passion, ability to mobilize groups, and their increasing financial power due to the transfer of wealth.
Forging Strong Foundation And NPO Relationships!
Rachel Dematteo, a Director at Your Part-Time Controller (YPTC), discusses the importance of forging strong relationships between nonprofit organizations (NPOs) and foundations with effective communication, understanding, and collaboration. YPTC is a company that provides financial services to nonprofits and has recently launched a foundations vertical to specialize in working with foundations.
Dematteo highlights the significance of being audit-ready for nonprofits. She explains the difference between external reports, such as audits and 990 forms, and internal reports. Foundations often request audits and 990 forms to gain confidence in the financial information provided by nonprofits. Dematteo suggests that foundations should consider the capacity of nonprofits and the level of financial information they can provide. She encourages foundations to have open conversations with grantees to better understand their financial practices and explore ways to support them in improving their back-office operations.
The discussion also focuses on the challenges nonprofits face when dealing with grant requirements and templates. Dematteo acknowledges that foundations use templates to ensure consistency but warns about the potential for errors and the need for interpretation. She suggests that foundations consider using the categories from the 990 form, which is a more universal language for financial reporting in the nonprofit sector.
The interview touches upon the changing landscape of philanthropy and the increasing emphasis on trust-based relationships between foundations and nonprofits. Dematteo mentions that some foundations are reevaluating their grant requirements and seeking feedback from grantees to streamline the application process and make it more cohesive. Both the foundations and nonprofits are encouraged to have open communication and build partnerships to achieve their shared goals.
The conversation concludes with a discussion on the percentage of revenue nonprofits should aim to receive from foundations. While it was previously recommended to not exceed 30%, the influx of funding through programs like the CARES Act and ARPA has altered the landscape. The need for greater flexibility and understanding in grant-making is emphasized, with the hope that foundations continue to evolve and support the sector effectively.
#foundations #nonprofits #funding
The Power Of Breakthrough Ideas!
Veronica Lafemina, founder and CEO of Lafemina and Co, a strategic advisory firm for nonprofit organizations and social impact businesses, discusses the power of breakthrough ideas in a video interview with host Julia Patrick. Lafemina explains that her firm works with nonprofit CEOs and department heads to navigate the complexities of nonprofit leadership and management, focusing on areas such as strategy, leadership, change management, and communications. Despite the challenges presented by the global pandemic and various social issues, Lafemina emphasizes the importance of finding a better way forward rather than simply trying to return to pre-pandemic norms.
Lafemina and Patrick discuss the need for external perspectives and strategic advisors in fostering breakthrough ideas, as these individuals can provide insights, guidance, and permission to explore new paths. They highlight the value of community connection and engagement in creating lasting impact, emphasizing the importance of involving the community in the ideation process and making it easy for people to contribute and make a difference. Lafemina stresses the significance of in-person experiences and physical activities in addition to online amplification for community engagement.
The conversation delves into the current demand for in-person interactions and volunteerism, but also recognizes the need to empower individuals to take action on their own and leverage their own platforms. Lafemina suggests that organizations should give people the instructions and tools to make a difference in their communities, rather than solely relying on amplification of organizational efforts. Patrick and Lafemina discuss the challenge of aligning teams with breakthrough ideas, especially in remote work settings, and offer strategies to involve different parts of the organization and foster collaboration.
Regarding testing breakthrough ideas, Lafemina advises organizations not to focus on manufacturing ideas, but rather on finding resonance with the community. She recommends starting with simple tests, such as social media posts, and analyzing the response and engagement. She shares an example of the "Teal Pumpkin Project" for food allergies, which began as a small test and gained widespread traction and long-term impact. Lafemina emphasizes the importance of community feedback, media attention, increased engagement, and partnership opportunities as indicators of success.
The interview concludes with a discussion on how to know if breakthrough ideas are working. Lafemina explains that it depends on the organization's goals, but key measures include community impact, social media engagement, media coverage, increased donations, resource downloads, and partnerships with other organizations. She advises organizations to focus on creating connections with their communities and understanding their needs, rather than pursuing ideas that may not resonate. Lafemina encourages leaders to take practical steps, such as regularly gathering feedback from the community, to spark inspiration and make a difference. She emphasizes the importance of not overwhelming oneself and recognizing the ongoing exhaustion while embracing the opportunity for big ideas when the time is right.
2023 Fundraising Effectiveness Project Takeaways!
Being An Idealist In The Real World
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