Nonprofits rely heavily on their donors. But, some are still relying on outdated, underdeveloped donation pages, potentially causing them to miss out on revenue.
Continue readingThe Psychology Behind Donation Pages
Is It Time to Rebrand?
Nonprofits need to make their missions and successes known in order to continue making an impact. Is it time to up your nonprofit’s name?
Continue readingSponsor me on the Hazon Ride
Help me reach my goal of raising $10,000.
Sponsor me in Hazon’s fundraising bike ride by contributing to a great cause.
Hazon is creating a new dialogue about food sustainability and is creating awareness about where our food comes from, and creating and supporting farming and cooperative food initiatives to connect people with local farmers.
As you may know, I have supported this cause for several years. I am on the Steering Committee for the second year, I started Team Brooklyn, and have donated much time and money to Hazon’s cause of creating a more sustainable world. This year, I have personally matched $1,861 in donations.
Please support me in my goal of raising $10,000 to support Hazon’s important work by making a donation.
Fair Representation of Nonprofits Needed
A recent article in The New York Times, Charities Give to State Campaigns, Despite Law, described how some nonprofits had purchased tickets to fundraising dinners for elected officials, or had otherwise contributed to their campaigns, in violation of the law. Neither party seemed to care or take responsibility, pushing off oversight to the IRS. The article acknowledged that minor amounts entailed, and yet found it fit to disparage nonprofits on the front page.
I find this quite disturbing for a number of reasons.
Staying Strong in Weak Times
EHL Consulting Group, fundraising consultants, share the following lessons and observations regarding the US philanthropic marketplace.
Four Important Lessons Learned
The combination of the severe recession, coupled with the Bernard Madoff debacle, has made headlines and brought fear and deep anxiety throughout the nonprofit sector. There are a number of critical lessons that should guide us all going forward:
1. Few individuals or organizations are immune from current difficulties. Reflect compassion and a commitment to move ahead strategically to maintain your place and position in the community.
FUNDRAISING: Lift the Limits on Low Overhead Ratios
This entry is in response to an op ed piece by Nicholas D. Kristof in the New York Times on December 24, 2008: The Sin in Doing Good Deeds.
Easing our insistence on low overhead ratios for charities, will help them to co-opt the profit motive. One reason that nonprofits are not as effective with their own in fundraising is not specifically the profit motive, but the fact that the public insists on nonprofits maintaining low overhead ratios (such as 85%). On the face of it, it makes sense that donors don’t want to see their money spent on administration or fundraising costs – they want it to go directly into programs.