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Welcome to the Nonprofit Partnership E-News In this Issue 
Visit our website Contact Us: Robert Wooler, |
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Making the Most of Your Print and On-line Presence Despite the added costs, evidence is mounting that nonprofits need a robust presence in both print and on-line activity to avoid leaving donor money on the table. The predicted decline in direct mail gifts has not really materialized because the appeal of print pieces to baby boomers is still strong. Gen X and Gen Y donors have shown a vast preference for the internet and online giving. On the other hand, the averaged wired senior is online 44 minutes a day and 1 in 4 seniors conduct banking and pay bills online, increasing the chances that they will be good online donors as well. Organizations are finding that giving in one mode increasingly supports giving in the other. To help spur online giving for your organization, try the following: The bottom line – for the next few years, continue to vigorously pursue both direct mail and online communications and giving strategies – there is continued strength in both that cannot be ignored.
Increase Your Effectiveness Through Social Networking New studies indicate that nonprofits need to start using social networking strategies and other online tools in fundraising and advocacy because e-mail is becoming less and less effective at prompting people to take action. As e-mail inboxes are becoming more overcrowded, e-mail “fatigue” is growing. More organizations are turning to text messaging, their websites, and social networking sites to break through the clutter. In particular, Causes, an application that works on both Facebook and MySpace, allows nonprofits to solicit donations and volunteer support through viral networking. In its first year, Causes attracted 12 million registered users who supported 80,000 nonprofits with a total of $2.5 million in donations. 60,000 Facebook members use Causes on a daily basis, as do 25,000 MySpace members. Sources: Simone Joyaux, “A Fundraiser’s Newsyletter, July, 2008 and The Chronicle of Philanthropy, June 12, 2008. Interested in Taking Advantage of Social Networking and Other Web 2.0 Tools? Join The Nonprofit Partnership for a timely look at how your organization can take donor and stakeholder relationships to new levels through your website and a new approach to online marketing at our August workshop: Web 2.0 Solutions for You With: George Sackandy from Intelmarx, LLC Where: Highmark Caring Place, Bayview Office Park, Bldg 2 This workshop will demonstrate bundled tools that can help you acquire and connect with existing constituents, open new and powerful fundraising avenues, track your constituents more accurately, maintain and update your website, and do all of the above affordably. RSVP to Amy Eisenberg – 454-8800 or tnp@thenonprofitpartnership.org.
Investigate Foundation Center Resources at Blasco Library Learn how the resources of the Foundation Center at Erie’s Blasco Library can benefit your organization. Join Joanne Kepics from The Foundation Center to find funders for your cause using the Foundation Directory Online and other tools on the Foundation Center’s website: Friday, July 18, 2008 10:00 – 11:30 am The program is free, but advance registration is required by calling 451-6927 or visiting Blasco Library’s Information Hub.
Interests Are the Key to Giving People read what interests them. In fact, by and large, they only read what interests them. To interest people you hardly know with your writing, your obligation is to appeal to the various personality types by: Beyond this, donors are particularly interested in the answers to two questions: 1) What did you accomplish with my gift? Donors want and need to know what your results are and how much your organization spends on direct services vs. administration. Nurturing continued interest depends on these factors. And while you’re focused on interests, don’t fall for the temptation of spamming new contacts with e-mail solicitations. Unless you know they’re interested in your work, the appeal will not motivate a gift. Only solicit a donation after you’ve learned more about the contact’s interests and have had an opportunity to educate them about your work.
Is Telecommuting a Good Option for Your Organization? As transportation costs continue to rise, more organizations will be considering retaining good employees by weighing the telecommuting option. As you do, here are a few critical things to keep in mind: Good telecommuters have the following traits: • They know their jobs well. From a management perspective, the biggest challenges are: • Telling one employee they can work from home, while telling no to another. In explaining these factors, stick to job related issues and specific instances that illustrate your concern. Outline any conditions that must be met for telecommuting to be considered in the future for that individual. Finally, be aware that there are legal issues: who outfits the home office (including software and appropriate licenses) and who is responsible for worker’s compensation while the employee is working from home? For more on this subject, see http://cpamerica.org/malin/channels/np2.asp?a=879
Need Used but Like New Computers? The Nonprofit Partnership has been notified of the availability of some eight year old Dell Pentium II desktop computers, complete with monitor, keyboard, and speakers. No software included. If you are interested, please contact us at the office - (814) 454-8800. Our New Nonprofit Partnership Members These organizations have joined The Nonprofit Partnership between January and June, 2008: Africa 6000 International Welcome to all! |
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