“Vision without action is a dream. Action without vision is simply passing the time. Action with Vision is making a positive difference.”
-Joel Barker
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Today's Nonprofit Wonder - Having Vision, Taking Action
“Vision without action is a dream. Action without vision is simply passing the time. Action with Vision is making a positive difference.”
-Joel Barker
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Today's Nonprofit Wonder - Party with your Funders
So, we all know that fundraising consists of finding organizations and individuals that want to support your cause. When it comes to applying for grants, it is always a good idea to develop a relationship with the funders you have identified as supportive of your mission.
How do you get that relationship going? First off, pick up the phone and give them a call. Introduce yourself and provide some background about your organization and any specific projects you are doing or considering. Even if you don't get funded this time, they will remember you when you try again.
Find out where the funders hang out and go see them! There are a number of conferences geared towards those that provide grant funds. If you can, attend some of these conferences and take full advantage of the opportunity to chat up someone from the Ford Foundation or the Pew Charitable Trusts - you get the point. Consider Grantmakers for Effective Organizations and the National Grants Management Association - all have annual conferences and/or regional meetings you should try to attend. Attending grantmaker conferences also provides insight into the current trends in giving and helps nonprofits to position themselves appropriately when aligning themselves with funders.
Get your questions and your "elevator speech" ready and go mingle!
How do you get that relationship going? First off, pick up the phone and give them a call. Introduce yourself and provide some background about your organization and any specific projects you are doing or considering. Even if you don't get funded this time, they will remember you when you try again.
Find out where the funders hang out and go see them! There are a number of conferences geared towards those that provide grant funds. If you can, attend some of these conferences and take full advantage of the opportunity to chat up someone from the Ford Foundation or the Pew Charitable Trusts - you get the point. Consider Grantmakers for Effective Organizations and the National Grants Management Association - all have annual conferences and/or regional meetings you should try to attend. Attending grantmaker conferences also provides insight into the current trends in giving and helps nonprofits to position themselves appropriately when aligning themselves with funders.
Get your questions and your "elevator speech" ready and go mingle!
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Today's Nonprofit Wonder - Training
We all could use a little help, right?
There are many, many training groups out there, providing valuable information for the uninformed or the merely rusty. But many of those come at quite the cost. As a nonprofit, your organization may not have the resources to send your employees to all the trainings that would be beneficial.
Take a look around your community - there are probably many training opportunities that are inexpensive if not out right free. Contact your United Way for a list of links. Get in touch with any universities in the area - they often provide low cost trainings for nonprofit staff. Some schools have entire departments devoted to nonprofit management!
And, of course, check the resource list on this blog - many of these groups can either provide trainings at reasonable costs or get you in touch with groups that can.
So, get out there and fill your brain with all that good stuff!
There are many, many training groups out there, providing valuable information for the uninformed or the merely rusty. But many of those come at quite the cost. As a nonprofit, your organization may not have the resources to send your employees to all the trainings that would be beneficial.
Take a look around your community - there are probably many training opportunities that are inexpensive if not out right free. Contact your United Way for a list of links. Get in touch with any universities in the area - they often provide low cost trainings for nonprofit staff. Some schools have entire departments devoted to nonprofit management!
And, of course, check the resource list on this blog - many of these groups can either provide trainings at reasonable costs or get you in touch with groups that can.
So, get out there and fill your brain with all that good stuff!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Today's Nonprofit Wonder - Solving Problems
The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world's problems.
-Mahatma Gandhi
-Mahatma Gandhi
Friday, January 11, 2008
Today's Nonprofit Wonder - Giving Back
As a nonprofit organization, you are always keeping an ear out for potential funding sources. That's a good thing. Once you find those sources, though, what can you do to raise your organization's profile to ensure a better crack at that funding?
One thing you can do is give back to your community. You've probably noticed how the business sector has jumped on the philanthropy train lately. Everything from a percentage of your credit card purchases going to your favorite charity to huge sponsorships of nonprofit events. And of course, there is plenty of marketing to go along with those good deeds...for a very good reason. Giving back is a much appreciated gesture and is looked upon very favorably.
Nonprofits need to give back, too. As the foundation of every communities support system, nonprofits are in the perfect position to not only give back, but to identify the areas where that philanthropy is most needed. Giving back doesn't always equate to donating money - time and talent go a long way. Set up a volunteer committee at your organization and set aside time each month to help out. Look for neighborhood events that your group can contact to assist. Seek out other organizations that share a similar mission and provide some assistance.
And don't forget those press releases! Whenever your organization does something - philanthropioc or otherwise - make sure you let the world know you are out there. It not only raises your profile but it alerts those in need that you are out there for them.
One thing you can do is give back to your community. You've probably noticed how the business sector has jumped on the philanthropy train lately. Everything from a percentage of your credit card purchases going to your favorite charity to huge sponsorships of nonprofit events. And of course, there is plenty of marketing to go along with those good deeds...for a very good reason. Giving back is a much appreciated gesture and is looked upon very favorably.
Nonprofits need to give back, too. As the foundation of every communities support system, nonprofits are in the perfect position to not only give back, but to identify the areas where that philanthropy is most needed. Giving back doesn't always equate to donating money - time and talent go a long way. Set up a volunteer committee at your organization and set aside time each month to help out. Look for neighborhood events that your group can contact to assist. Seek out other organizations that share a similar mission and provide some assistance.
And don't forget those press releases! Whenever your organization does something - philanthropioc or otherwise - make sure you let the world know you are out there. It not only raises your profile but it alerts those in need that you are out there for them.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Today's Nonprofit Wonder - A Penny Here, A Penny There
It's what we need to keep our organizations going - funds. We often think in terms of getting a penny here, a nickel there, perhaps a dime and a quarter now and then. But nonprofits need to be thinking bigger - go for the bucks!
If your organization is new, young and just getting started this is a valuable lesson to learn early on. No matter how small your group is, you provide vital, necesary services and you deserve the funding you need to keep those services going. Think BIG! Certainly any amount that goes to meet the bottom line helps but don't sell yourself short.
Take your fundraising needs and efforts seriously. Get involved with fundraising colleagues in your community, talk with partnering organizations about their efforts. Learn from the experienced!
If your organization is new, young and just getting started this is a valuable lesson to learn early on. No matter how small your group is, you provide vital, necesary services and you deserve the funding you need to keep those services going. Think BIG! Certainly any amount that goes to meet the bottom line helps but don't sell yourself short.
Take your fundraising needs and efforts seriously. Get involved with fundraising colleagues in your community, talk with partnering organizations about their efforts. Learn from the experienced!
Monday, December 3, 2007
Today's Nonprofit Wonder - Strategic Planning
OK, it sounds kind of dull and boring - Strategic Planning. What? Sit around and talk about goals and objectives? For things in the future? We've got stuff to do now!
But really, developing a strong Strategic Plan is one of the best things you can do for your organization. And it is one of the first things that gets put on the back burner, especially with young, small and cash poor groups. It seems there is too much to accomplish in the here and now to stop and take some time and talk about the future.
But the time is always well spent. Pick a day when your board members can gather together and "vision" about the organization's future direction. Depending on your group, specific staff and volunteers may be invited to participate as well. Sometimes bringing in an outside, objective and experienced consultant can help in getting the plan underway. But don't forget, no matter who helps to develop the plan, the Board of Directors/Trustees are responsible for adopting it and ensuring the organization adheres to it.
Don't make the mistake of thinking that you're done with the Strategic Plan once you've typed it all up and distributed copies and put it in a folder. Think of if as a fluid, ongoing plan and use it as your road map as the organization grows and moves forward. Reveiw it quarterly and make updates when necessary.
Going through a good and indepth Strategic Planning session can really be motivating! You see all that you want and can accomplish for the organization. Your understanding of the mission is clear and detailed. You're ready to conquer all!
Now, go plan!
But really, developing a strong Strategic Plan is one of the best things you can do for your organization. And it is one of the first things that gets put on the back burner, especially with young, small and cash poor groups. It seems there is too much to accomplish in the here and now to stop and take some time and talk about the future.
But the time is always well spent. Pick a day when your board members can gather together and "vision" about the organization's future direction. Depending on your group, specific staff and volunteers may be invited to participate as well. Sometimes bringing in an outside, objective and experienced consultant can help in getting the plan underway. But don't forget, no matter who helps to develop the plan, the Board of Directors/Trustees are responsible for adopting it and ensuring the organization adheres to it.
Don't make the mistake of thinking that you're done with the Strategic Plan once you've typed it all up and distributed copies and put it in a folder. Think of if as a fluid, ongoing plan and use it as your road map as the organization grows and moves forward. Reveiw it quarterly and make updates when necessary.
Going through a good and indepth Strategic Planning session can really be motivating! You see all that you want and can accomplish for the organization. Your understanding of the mission is clear and detailed. You're ready to conquer all!
Now, go plan!
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