Creating Transformational Philanthopy!
The founder of Susan Kramer Consulting shares her profound insights, introducing the concept of “transactional versus transformational” philanthropy, and elaborating on the keys of understanding donors’ motivations and stories. Susan Kramer’s perspective on fundraising goes beyond tactics; it’s about creating genuine connections and aligning donors’ passions with the nonprofit’s mission. She highlights that fundraising isn’t about being transactional but building transformational relationships based on understanding and authenticity: “We are not sell, tell, and convince the donors. If you’re going to try to sell, tell, and convince, you’re going to live in transactional.” Susan’s shares her seven-letter formula for fundraising, starting with turning individuals into a community, engaging and educating them, leading to donors, investors, leaders, and advocates. She illustrates this journey with a fun kickball field example–showing how engagement gradually leads to deeper involvement. Susan challenges the idea that wealthy individuals are automatically the best donors, emphasizing that the most valuable donors may already be engaged with the nonprofit, hiding in plain sight. She encourages fundraisers to understand their donors’ capacity, affinity, and propensity to give and to engage them further through stewardship. The conversation also taps into the role of board members, suggesting that their engagement should be rooted in authentic storytelling. Board members should be encouraged to understand their “why” for being part of the organization and share their personal stories. Susan message in this fast-paced episode is one of inspiration and a reminder that fundraising can be a magical journey when it’s grounded in authentic connections and the stories that drive philanthropy.
Nonprofit’s Asked And Answered This Week!
Julia Patrick, and Meredith Terrian from Fundraising Academy, address this week’s questions related to board recruitment, fundraising benchmarks, and internal office privacy at nonprofits. The cohosts provide valuable guidance on these nonprofit management challenges, underlining the importance of diversity, clear goal-setting, and sensitive communication within the organization.
Julia opens the discussion by introducing their first question, which is about recruiting younger board members to enhance diversity. Meredith responds thoughtfully, acknowledging the organization’s proactive approach in recognizing the need for diversity. She emphasizes the importance of a strategic approach to recruiting younger board members. “A board can make or break an organization,” Meredith says. “Being methodical and strategic about how you recruit, train, and engage board members is essential.”
Meredith provides specific recruitment strategies, such as reaching out to local universities, community organizations, and online platforms where young professionals network. She highlights the benefits of board involvement, like skill development and networking, and suggests matching potential members with roles that align with their skills and interests.
The cohosts also discuss the significance of setting fundraising goals, with Meredith clarifiying the difference between goals and benchmarks, advising a clear and realistic primary goal with benchmarks used to track progress in various fundraising categories.
Lastly, the cohosts address a viewer’s concern about a C-Suite member of their nonprofit publicly expressing interest in a new job on social media. Meredith encourages approaching the situation with sensitivity and understanding the context of the post. She suggests engaging in a private and casual conversation with the individual to inquire about their intentions while respecting their privacy and the decision . . . . . . . . .
Year-End Tips For Fundraising Success!
How nonprofits can enhance their year-end fundraising efforts with Micah James, Manager of Professional Services at Bloomerang.co. Micah starts with the importance of authenticity in nonprofit messaging during this busy season, advising organizations to avoid cookie-cutter approaches and instead showcase their unique missions and impact.
Micah encourages nonprofits to communicate authentically, connecting with their local communities and highlighting their specific contributions to solving community problems. She points out that unique approaches tend to resonate more with donors, stating, “It’s really about connecting not only with your community—where are you located? What’s your context? —but also, what do you do in that community to solve that community’s problems?”
The conversation also covers the use of video in nonprofit communications. Micah recommends short (90-second or less) videos to provide a distinctive touch and make supporters feel connected to the organization’s work. Authenticity was key, and she advised against over-editing, encouraging nonprofits to showcase their day-to-day operations and impact. Micah urges, “90 seconds or less is like that perfect sauce. So it’s not too long, not too short—just letting me say, ‘Hey, how are you? This is us. Come on in. Don’t you want to be a part of this?'”
The hosts asked about the challenge of nonprofits operating remotely or without a physical presence to showcase. Micah digs into storytelling and capturing the essence of the organization through conversations, even if it’s a virtual tour or discussion among team members.
This episode also describes the importance of maintaining a consistent brand image throughout the donation process, including on landing pages. Micah stresses the need to minimize friction . . . . . . . . .
Empowering Authentic Leadership
The founder of 4DaHood talks about the importance of creating spaces for racial healing during this conversation focused on empowering authentic leadership. Frank Velasquez, Jr.’s organization is dedicated to supporting nonprofits and individuals in addressing racial equity issues, and he shares insights into his journey, motivations, and the evolution of his work.
One of his key quotes during the discussion is, “Creating a space where people of color can heal.” Frank underscores the significance of providing safe and supportive environments where people of color can come together to heal from the wounds of racial discrimination, microaggressions, and systemic inequities. These spaces offer individuals a sense of belonging and understanding among peers who share similar experiences.
Frank also describes the concept of “learning separately to lead collectively,” emphasizing the need for separate spaces where both people of color and white allies can engage in learning and dialogue about racial issues from their unique perspectives. He points out that these separate spaces allow individuals to work through their own biases and challenges before coming together to collectively address racial equity. This approach recognizes the value of both groups working in tandem to bring about change in policies and systems.
Additionally, Frank highlights his efforts to create spaces for white allies to confront feelings of guilt and shame related to racial issues, acknowledging the significance of both people of color and white allies in the journey toward addressing systemic racism, emphasizing the importance of difficult conversations and the gradual process of chipping away at biases and misunderstandings.
As he looks ahead to 2024, Frank Velazquez Jr. predicts . . . . . . . . .
Why Outsourcing Makes Sense At Nonprofits!
Outsourcing accounting and financial services at your nonprofit can be a game-changer, as Carole Melvin, the regional director at Your Part Time Controller (YPTC), highlights in her insightful interview. She explains how outsourcing these services can provide nonprofits with specialized expertise, cost savings, and scalability while allowing them to focus on their mission. It’s a trend that is likely to gain momentum as nonprofits discover the benefits of this approach. As Carole aptly puts it, “You’re not just hiring one person; you’re hiring the whole firm.”
According to Carole, outsourcing is a business practice where an organization contracts out specific functions to an external service provider, with the goal of leveraging specialized services, reducing costs, improving efficiency, and allowing the nonprofit to focus on its core activities, such as programming and fundraising.
During this fast paced interview, you’ll learn about the types of outsourcing, the annual tasks typically done, where the cost savings are, how flexibility plays a key role, and the timelines of finding and engaging with these outside experts. Carole also digs into how the outsiders integrate with the NPO team and what the board involvement might look like.
She wraps up the discussion with some insightful comments on the future of outsourcing.
Are Nonprofit Consultants Really Worth It?
The value that nonprofit consultants can bring to organizations, underscoring the importance of viewing them as strategic partners in advancing the mission with Jerry Diaz, CFRE, founder, and CEO of Geronimo Consulting. He begins by affirming, “Working with consultants is an investment, not an expense. They bring in expertise that you may not have on your team or not be able to afford somebody. So when you choose them, choose them wisely.”
The discussion revolves around various facets of nonprofit consulting, including the significance of being a proactive and cooperative client when collaborating with consultants. Jerry emphasizes that consultants operate across a broad spectrum of areas within nonprofits, such as fund development, organizational development, board engagement, program and data management. They provide a fresh perspective and invaluable insights that can prove highly cost-effective for organizations.
The conversation also touches on the changing landscape of nonprofit consulting. Funders are increasingly open to supporting transitional projects and initiatives, recognizing the pivotal role consultants can play during times of change. Consultants can help organizations navigate transitions resulting from leadership changes, periods of growth, or strategic shifts.
Furthermore, the dialogue explores the essential role of consultants in project management. Consultants, with their wealth of experience and an array of tools at their disposal, are well-equipped to oversee specific projects efficiently. They can assist organizations in successfully managing projects, even if those projects lie outside the organization’s typical purview.
Nonprofit’s Ask and Answer! Thanksgiving Episode
In this annual Thanksgiving special episode, Host Julia Patrick shares the podium with her daughter Camaley Joy Patrick Jennings as they answer questions from NPO’s and discuss Camaley’s work in the nonprofit sector and her experiences on a nonprofit board. Camaley works as a marketing and project manager at GitHub, a subsidiary of Microsoft, on their social impact team.
Camaley shares insights into how GitHub encourages its employees to engage in philanthropic activities, citing one of their programs that incentivizes volunteering by offering a donation of $20 for every hour volunteered, which employees can contribute to a nonprofit of their choice.
The two chat about the challenges of educating employees in the tech sector about philanthropy, along with aspects of how GitHub faces cultural differences in volunteerism and philanthropy among its international employees. Camaley also talks about the importance of personal connections in a remote work environment and the ongoing efforts to communicate and engage employees effectively.
Julia asks Camaley about her experiences serving on a nonprofit board and whether her age and background have influenced her interactions with other board members. Camaley shares her thoughts on the board she serves on and continues by emphasizing the importance of passion and finding a balance between impact-driven work in one’s job and outside of it.
They explore the involvement of millennials in nonprofit boards, then discuss ways to make board commitments, especially financial ones, more achievable for younger board members. They propose the idea of offering scholarships to cover some of the financial commitments, thus diversifying the board’s composition and perspectives.
This fun family tradition concludes with . . . . . . . . .
Developing Courageous Nonprofit Leaders
In this inspirational discussion about leadership in the nonprofit sector, Anthony A. Dicks Jr., a senior leadership consultant at 180 Management Group, shares insights on developing courageous leaders. He defines courageous leadership as the ability to inspire others to aspire to do and be greater than themselves, emphasizing the importance of community, curiosity, competence, and confidence in achieving this goal.
As Anthony eloquently puts it, “The number one benefit of courageous leadership is that it’s contagious.” Indeed, he emphasizes that when one sees someone else leading with courage and doing so effectively, it has the power to bring out the same quality in others within the organization. This contagion effect, where courageous leadership becomes a shared trait, can have a transformative impact on the entire organization.
Anthony also touches on the challenges individuals face, such as feelings of inadequacy and imposter syndrome. He stresses that having diverse role models who have successfully overcome such challenges is crucial for inspiring future leaders. As he aptly states, “If I’ve seen you do it, then I know it can be done.” Recognizing and celebrating leaders from various backgrounds and experiences can help individuals, especially those from underrepresented groups, believe in their own potential.
Throughout the conversation, the impact of fear in leadership is discussed, especially in the context of recent global challenges. Anthony highlights how fear has been prevalent in these times, affecting decision-making and actions. However, he counters this by underlining the significance of cultivating courageous leadership. He suggests that by promoting and celebrating courageous leaders who are willing to take risks, organizations can foster a culture where . . . . . . . . .
The State Of Nonprofit’s Capital Campaigns: New Research!
Explore the impact of capital campaigns in the nonprofit sector, featuring insights on data-driven success, myth debunking, and the benefits of feasibility studies from CapitalCampaignPro.com and Steven Shattuck. Despite COVID-19 and economic challenges, learn how visionary leadership and strategic planning fuel fundraising success.
The discussion touches on the success of capital campaigns despite challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and economic uncertainty. Steven emphasizes that bold and visionary leadership played a significant role in the success of these campaigns during challenging times. Steven says “When it comes to capital campaigns, it’s worth remembering that bold leadership and vision can overcome external challenges. People needed help, and if you had a clear case for support with a sense of urgency, those are the people who won in the last three years.” –
They address the myth of capital campaign cannibalization, where organizations fear that launching a capital campaign will negatively impact their annual fund. The research showed that this fear is largely unfounded, with most organizations reporting that their annual funds either increased or remained stable during capital campaigns.
You’ll learn the importance of feasibility studies in capital campaigns. Steven shares how these studies not only help organizations determine their campaign‘s viability but also strengthen donor relationships, with organizations that conducted feasibility studies reporting stronger major donor relationships.
The Nonprofit Leader’s Perspective
In this Power Week conversation with Rita L. Soronen, CEO and President of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, she shares her insights into nonprofit leadership, board engagement, and the foundation’s impactful work in the field of adoption. As the foundation celebrates its 25th year, it continues to make strides in its mission to find permanent homes for children in foster care.
Rita begins with discussing her 22-year tenure with the foundation and how it allows her to elevate her passion for child welfare and advocacy. She also highlights the importance of board recruitment, emphasizing the need for board members who are not only professionally skilled but also personally passionate about the organization’s mission. She offers, “We want to make sure on our board that we have folks who have either adopted, were adopted, have fostered, have some connection, if not directly to themselves, through extended family.”
Continuing, and discussing board engagement, Rita details how the foundation has managed to engage more than 80% of its board members actively, attributing this success to a focus on committee work and regular check-ins. She also shares strategies for promoting self-care among staff, emphasizing the importance of creating a supportive and inclusive work environment. She says, “We try and encourage that as much as possible…cancel whatever’s on your calendar and make sure that we’re flexible enough to acknowledge that weeks are tough.”
When asked about the foundation’s impact on adoption, Soronen mentions the Wendy’s Wonderful Kids program, which is embedded in 17 states and aims to be present in all 50 states by 2028. She acknowledges the . . . . . . . . .
Testing Your Nonprofit’s Marketing Plan!
Focusing on the significance of ongoing testing and measurement in nonprofit marketing, Jill Crumbacher, the Senior VP of Marketing and Development at the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, shares how they boost fundraising and brand awareness in this Nonprofit Power Week episode!
Jill begins, stating “We have to test our marketing because there are two key components to raising money. We have to have a lot of market fundraising efforts, which the marketing team supports all of those through all of their channels… But also, to fundraise, you have to have brand awareness, somebody’s got to know who you are, and that is 100% a marketing function.”. She continues, highlighting that revenue is just one part of the equation. She details how their organization has a marketing team and a fundraising team, totaling around 22 employees, and these two teams work closely together. One key aspect of their testing involves evaluating the effectiveness of different creative elements in marketing campaigns, such as fonts, colors, and messaging. They use surveys to measure if audiences remember their organization’s name after exposure to various marketing materials.
Jill also emphasizes the importance of consistency in branding across different channels and the need to adapt creative elements for different mediums, such as direct mail, email, and digital advertising. She suggests conducting tests whenever entering a new channel and retesting every 18 months to two years to stay updated with changing trends.
Additionally, Jill shares examples on how nonprofits can leverage their corporate partners for research opportunities, as many of them have access to resources that can aid in testing and . . . . . . . . .
Realities Of Founder’s Syndrome
The President and CEO of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, shares insights into the organization’s origin story, founder syndrome, and the vital work they do in the field of adoption.
Rita Soronen begins by emphasizing the significance of National Adoption Awareness Month and highlights the importance of focusing on foster care adoption, understanding its complexities, and encouraging communities to support children and families involved in the foster care system.
One of the key takeaways from Rita’s insights is the deep connection between the foundation’s namesake, Dave Thomas, and the cause of adoption. Dave Thomas, known for founding Wendy’s, was himself adopted as an infant and experienced the challenges of growing up without a stable family environment. His commitment to giving back to the community and his personal connection to adoption led to the creation of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.
In Rita’s words, “Dave Thomas . . . . it’s our namesake Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, but underneath that is the legacy of this incredible person who started the incredible Wendy’s brand.”
Rita also discusses the evolution of the foundation’s mission and its shift from raising awareness to implementing evidence-based programs. She highlights the ongoing complexities in the field of child welfare, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the need for adaptable strategies and continuous growth.
Rita continues, touching upon the topic of succession planning, stressing the importance of preparing for leadership transitions both internally and externally. She describes how the foundation is actively developing its leadership team to ensure a seamless transition when the time comes.
In Rita’s words, “It is . . . . . . . . .